వెలమ మెచ్చిన ముచ్చట చెప్పాలి - అలిగితే ప్రాణహాని తెచ్చుకోవాలి.
velama mechchina muchchata cheppali - aligite pranahani techchukovali.
Tell the story that the Velama likes - or bring death upon yourself if he gets angry.
This proverb highlights the traditional power and temperament associated with the Velama (warrior/landlord) community in historical contexts. It means that when dealing with people in positions of absolute authority or those with a short fuse, one must only say things that please them or be prepared for severe consequences. It is used to describe situations where one must be extremely tactful or subservient to avoid danger.
Related Phrases
తిన మరిగిన ప్రాణం అల్లాడి చచ్చిందట.
tina marigina pranam alladi chachchindata.
A life habituated to eating died out of restlessness.
This proverb describes a person who becomes so addicted to a certain luxury, comfort, or habit that they suffer immensely or perish when they can no longer access it. It is used to caution against developing excessive dependencies or greed.
ఊరకున్న ప్రాణానికి ఉచ్చుత్రాళ్ళు తెచ్చుకొన్నట్లు
urakunna prananiki uchchutrallu techchukonnatlu
Like bringing noose-ropes to a life that was at peace.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was living peacefully unnecessarily invites trouble or creates complications for themselves. It is similar to the English idiom 'To look for trouble' or 'To invite a headache'.
పంది బురద మెచ్చు పన్నీరు మెచ్చునా?
pandi burada mechchu panniru mechchuna?
A pig likes mud; will it ever like rose water?
This proverb is used to describe people with low tastes or vulgar habits who cannot appreciate refined, noble, or high-quality things. It suggests that one's inherent nature dictates their preferences, and a person accustomed to 'dirt' or negativity will never understand the value of something 'pure' or superior.
రాజు మెచ్చింది మాట, మొగుడు మెచ్చింది రంభ.
raju mechchindi mata, mogudu mechchindi rambha.
What the king likes is the law, and who the husband likes is Rambha.
This proverb highlights the subjectivity of beauty and authority. It means that power determines what is right, and personal affection determines what is beautiful. Just as a king's word is final regardless of logic, a person's preference defines their standard of beauty or excellence, regardless of objective reality.
రాజు మెచ్చినది మాట, మొగుడు మెచ్చినది రంభ.
raju mechchinadi mata, mogudu mechchinadi rambha.
That's the word, which pleases the king; she is Rambhâ, who is loved by her husband.
This proverb highlights the subjectivity of taste and authority. It means that power and personal affection define value. If a king approves of something, it becomes the rule or truth; similarly, if a man loves his wife, she is as beautiful as a celestial nymph (Rambha) to him, regardless of others' opinions.
అచ్చపు నేతిముందర పచ్చి వెన్న మెచ్చా?
achchapu netimundara pachchi venna mechcha?
Will raw butter be praised in front of pure ghee?
This proverb is used to say that a lesser version or an incomplete product cannot compete with the refined, final, or superior version. It emphasizes that once someone experiences the best (ghee), they will no longer value the basic or raw form (butter).
మూణ్ణాళ్ళ ముచ్చట
munnalla muchchata
A three-day pleasure
This expression is used to describe something that is short-lived, fleeting, or temporary. It refers to a situation, trend, or happiness that lasts for a very brief period and then vanishes, similar to the English phrase 'nine days' wonder'.
పెట్టినమ్మకు ప్రాణహాని చెప్పినమ్మకు జన్మహాని.
pettinammaku pranahani cheppinammaku janmahani.
She that gives will lose her life, she that advised will lose [ the advantage of ] her birth. The story runs thus: In the city of Matipuram, dwelt a king named Nayaśāli. He had three wives named Sumédāh, Suvarchalā, and Nitimati. Sumédāh was blessed with a son; her rival wives, being barren, were less loved by the king. This caused them to be jealous of Sumédāh, and Nitimati counselled Suvarchalā to poison the son, saying that afterwards they would share the king's favor equally with their more fortunate rival. Suvarchalā consulted in the matter with her intimate friend Vichitravati, the minister's daughter: Vichitravati after some deliberation replied "She that gives will lose her life, she that advised will lose her birth" ( i. e. will be banished from the king's presence.) Suvarchalā profiting by her friend's advice and perceiving the fatal consequences which would follow the com- mission of the intended crime, desisted from her wicked purpose.
This proverb describes a difficult or lose-lose situation where doing a favor or giving advice results in trouble for the benefactor. It is used when someone's kindness or honesty is met with ungratefulness or unexpected negative consequences, suggesting that sometimes helping others can backfire on the helper.
తినమరిగిన ప్రాణం అల్లాడి చచ్చింది
tinamarigina pranam alladi chachchindi
The body accustomed to sumptuous living was distressed for want of food. Applied to a man whose malpractices have been put a stop to, but who is eagerly seeking an opportunity of renewing them.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.
తాను మెచ్చ తినాలి, ఒకరు మెచ్చ నడవాలి
tanu mechcha tinali, okaru mechcha nadavali
Eat to please yourself, behave to please others
This proverb suggests that personal choices like food should be according to one's own taste, but social behavior and conduct should be respectable and acceptable to society. It emphasizes the balance between personal freedom and social responsibility.