వెన్నలా దున్నితే వెన్నులకేమి కొదువ

This expression is used to signify that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as the lunar cycle alternates between bright moonlight and darkness, human life consists of periods of joy and sorrow, success and failure. It is used to encourage resilience during tough times or to advise humility during prosperous times.

This proverb highlights what constitutes the true value or essence of something. Just as moonlight defines the beauty of a night, the health and abundance of the grain-heads (ears) determine the success and worth of a crop. It is used to emphasize that the final result or the core feature is what gives a thing its true significance.

This proverb is used to describe the generational gap in experience and cunningness. It suggests that while a younger person (daughter-in-law) may think they are clever, the elder (mother-in-law) has far more experience, tricks, and wisdom in dealing with life's situations. It is often cited when an elder outsmarts a younger person or to advise caution to those who think they can easily deceive their superiors.

This proverb is used to indicate that when a person in power or with immense resources decides to do something, there are no obstacles or lack of resources to stop them. It implies that authority and wealth can make even the most difficult or expensive tasks possible instantly.

This proverb highlights what constitutes the essence or peak beauty of something. Just as moonlight makes a night pleasant and beautiful, the appearance of healthy ears of grain (spikelets) signifies the success and value of a crop. It is used to describe things that are essential for fulfillment or completeness.

This expression highlights the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that joy and sorrow are inseparable companions. Just as a shadow follows a person, grief inevitably follows happiness, and conversely, sorrow provides the backdrop that makes happiness meaningful. It is used to encourage equanimity during good times and hope during bad times.

This proverb means that the quality or quantity of the final output depends entirely on the input or the effort invested. Just as the amount of clarified butter (ghee) produced depends on how much butter you start with, the results of a task are determined by the resources or merit available.

This is a popular agricultural proverb emphasizing that thorough and hard work leads to high rewards. In farming, it means if the land is tilled perfectly without gaps, the grain ears (panicles) will grow abundantly. In a broader sense, it suggests that when you put in meticulous effort into any task, the results will be consistently successful.

This proverb signifies the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that both bad times (darkness) and good times (moonlight) are temporary. It is used to offer comfort during hardships or as a reminder to stay humble during success, as neither phase lasts forever.

Joy and sorrow are equally divided.

This proverb is used to describe someone who makes grand, boastful claims about what they could have achieved if only they didn't have a minor limitation. It mocks people who use their current circumstances as an excuse for their lack of success, suggesting they would have done something extraordinary otherwise.