వస్త్ర హీనము విస్తర హీనము పనికిరావు
vastra hinamu vistara hinamu panikiravu
A person without clothes and a leaf without food are of no use.
This expression emphasizes the importance of basic necessities and proper preparation. Just as one cannot present themselves in society without proper clothing, one cannot serve or consume a meal on an empty banana leaf (plate). It is used to convey that certain things are incomplete or useless without their essential components.
Related Phrases
కులహీనమైనా వరహీనం కారాదు
kulahinamaina varahinam karadu
Even if lineage is low, one should not be lacking in blessings/boons.
This proverb suggests that one's social standing or birth is less important than the qualities, luck, or divine blessings they possess. In a practical sense, it is often used to emphasize that even if a person comes from a humble background, they should possess good fortune or the strength of character to succeed.
దొంగకు భయము, లంజకు సిగ్గు పనికిరావు.
dongaku bhayamu, lanjaku siggu panikiravu.
Fear for a thief and shyness for a prostitute are of no use.
This proverb highlights that certain traits are fundamentally incompatible with specific professions or situations. Just as a thief cannot succeed if they are afraid of being caught, and a prostitute cannot perform if they are shy, a person must shed irrelevant inhibitions or weaknesses to succeed in their chosen path or task.
ఊళ్ళో చుట్టరికము, ఊరిముందరి చేను పనికిరావు.
ullo chuttarikamu, urimundari chenu panikiravu.
Relatives within the same village and a field at the village entrance are of no use.
This proverb highlights practical inconveniences. Relatives living in the same village may become a burden due to frequent social expectations or lack of privacy, while a farm plot located at the entrance of a village is prone to damage by passing cattle and trespassers. It is used to advise that some things which seem convenient on the surface can be problematic in reality.
అర్థమూ ప్రాణమూ ఆచార్యాధీనము, తాళమూ దేహమూ నా ఆధీనము.
arthamu pranamu acharyadhinamu, talamu dehamu na adhinamu.
The money [in the box] and the soul [within the body] are made over to the spiritual guide, but the key and the body are retained by me. Applied to giving a person only the form of authority, but no real power.
This proverb is a humorous take on hypocritical devotion or selective surrender. It describes a person who claims to surrender everything valuable (like life and wealth) to a mentor or God for the sake of appearance, but in reality, keeps the physical control (the key to the chest) and their own comfort firmly in their own hands. It is used to mock people who act as if they are selfless but remain deeply possessive and untrusting.
వర్గరహితమైనదే శత్రువు
vargarahitamainade shatruvu
The one without a class is the enemy
This phrase is often used in political or sociological contexts, particularly in Marxist or class-struggle ideologies. It suggests that individuals who do not belong to a defined social or economic class, or who ignore the existence of class distinctions, are seen as obstacles or enemies to the progress of a specific group's movement.
మేక మెడ చన్నులు పిసకను పనికిరావు, పెండను పనికిరావు.
meka meda channulu pisakanu panikiravu, pendanu panikiravu.
The teats on a goat's neck are neither useful for milking nor for dung.
This expression is used to describe something or someone that is completely useless or redundant. Just as the fleshy appendages on some goats' necks look like udders but produce no milk and serve no biological function, it refers to efforts, objects, or people that provide no benefit whatsoever.
అర్థమూ, ప్రాణమూ ఆచార్యాధీనము; తాళమూ, దేహమూ నా ఆధీనము.
arthamu, pranamu acharyadhinamu; talamu, dehamu na adhinamu.
Wealth and life are under the Guru's control; the key and the body are under my control.
This proverb satirically describes a person who pretends to surrender everything to a teacher or mentor but remains deeply attached to their physical comforts and material possessions. It is used to mock hypocritical devotion or someone who talks about sacrifice but keeps the most important resources for themselves.
కులహీనమయినా, వరహీనము కారాదు
kulahinamayina, varahinamu karadu
Though [ a husband ] be low in rank, he should not be younger than his wife. ( Or, she should not be without one ? )
This proverb suggests that while a family's social status or caste might be lower, it is more important that the groom himself is worthy, capable, or financially stable. In a broader sense, it emphasizes that individual quality and resources are more significant than background or origin.
చిలుకలకొలికి విరహిణుల పాలిటి పచ్చితురక
chilukalakoliki virahinula paliti pachchituraka
The parrot-eyed one (Manmadha/Cupid) is a cruel hunter towards women separated from their lovers.
This expression is often used in classical Telugu literature (Prabandhas) to describe the pangs of separation. It suggests that Cupid, or the god of love, acts as a merciless tormentor (metaphorically compared to a ruthless hunter or invader) toward women who are yearning for their beloved.
మాటలు పోయినాక, మూటలు పనికిరావు
matalu poyinaka, mutalu panikiravu
Once the words are gone, bundles of wealth are of no use.
This proverb emphasizes that once a person has lost their ability to speak or has passed away, material wealth becomes meaningless. It is often used to highlight that good communication and relationships are more valuable than riches, or to suggest that some things cannot be fixed with money once the opportunity for dialogue is lost.