వ్రాత దైవమండ్రు, చేత పారుషమండ్రు (వ్రాతకు అజుడు కర్త, చేతకు తా కర్త)
vrata daivamandru, cheta parushamandru (vrataku ajudu karta, chetaku ta karta)
They say destiny is written by God, but actions are dictated by one's own effort (Brahma writes the fate, but the individual performs the deed).
This expression highlights the balance between destiny and free will. While 'Vratha' (destiny) is believed to be pre-determined by the creator (Aju/Brahma), the actual 'Chetha' (action or execution) depends on an individual's courage, effort, and character. It is used to encourage personal responsibility and hard work, suggesting that even if fate is written, one must still act to bring things to fruition.
Related Phrases
రూపం చేత స్త్రీలు, పరాక్రమంచేత పురుషులు రాణింతురు.
rupam cheta strilu, parakramancheta purushulu raninturu.
Women shine through their beauty, while men shine through their valor.
This proverb highlights traditional perceptions of excellence where a woman's grace or beauty and a man's courage or strength are considered their defining qualities. It is used to describe how different virtues bring recognition and success to individuals depending on their nature.
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
ఆరుకార్తెలకు పోతు ఆరుద్ర కార్తె.
arukartelaku potu arudra karte.
Among the six agricultural seasons, Arudra is the most powerful.
This Telugu proverb highlights the significance of the 'Arudra Karthe' (a specific solar mansion/period) for agriculture. It suggests that just as a bull (pothu) is the strongest in a herd, Arudra is the most vital season for rainfall and sowing crops. It is used to emphasize the importance of timing and the arrival of monsoon rains for a successful harvest.
పౌరుషం లేక దైవం అనుకూలించదు.
paurusham leka daivam anukulinchadu.
Without human effort, even God will not favor you.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-effort and hard work. It suggests that divine help or luck only favors those who take initiative and work hard, rather than those who rely solely on fate.
వ్రాత వెంటగాని, వరమీయడు దైవంబు.
vrata ventagani, varamiyadu daivambu.
God gives boons according to one's fate, not beyond it.
This proverb suggests that even divine intervention is limited by one's destiny or 'Prarabdha Karma'. It is used to express that results will only follow the effort and destiny written for an individual, implying that one cannot get more than what they are destined for, regardless of prayers.
చేట భారతం
cheta bharatam
A Mahabharata as large as a winnowing basket.
This expression is used to describe a story, explanation, or document that is unnecessarily long, tedious, or excessively detailed. It compares a small or simple matter to the epic Mahabharata, implying that someone is stretching a simple point into a never-ending saga.
ఈ చేత చేసి ఆ చేత అనుభవించినట్టు.
i cheta chesi a cheta anubhavinchinattu.
Doing with this hand, and receiving the reward with that. Said of the certain result of either a good or bad deed. As you sow you shall reap. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
This proverb refers to the concept of 'Instant Karma'. It describes a situation where the consequences of one's actions (good or bad) follow almost immediately, without much delay. It implies that justice or results are delivered within the same lifetime or very quickly.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
In one hand turmeric, in the other hand a hood. Turmeric is much used on auspicious occasions such as marriages. Every woman, except she be a widow, also rubs it daily on her body before bathing. Musuku is the skirt of a woman's cloth thrown over the head ( by widows ) as a hood.
This expression is used to describe an extremely critical or dangerous situation where life and death are equally possible. It is often used in the context of high-risk medical procedures, difficult childbirths, or precarious battles, signifying that while one hand prepares for a celebration or recovery (turmeric), the other prepares for a funeral (shroud).
వ్రాత రానివాడు కోత కరణం, వ్రాతా కోతా రానివాడు మేతకరణం.
vrata ranivadu kota karanam, vrata kota ranivadu metakaranam.
One who cannot write becomes a harvest clerk, one who can neither write nor harvest becomes a grazing clerk.
This proverb is a sarcastic take on incompetence and nepotism. It describes how people who lack basic skills for a job are often shuffled into unnecessary or invented administrative roles ('clerk' positions) where they contribute nothing but still consume resources. It is used to mock bureaucracy or people who hold titles without having the actual capability to perform work.
వ్రాత కరణమా? మేత కరణమా?
vrata karanama? meta karanama?
A scribe for writing? Or a scribe for grazing?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).