Literal: the elephant's teeth (tusks) serve different purposes for eating and for display.
2.
IndiaHindi-speaking regionsproverbialcolloquial
Figurative: appearances or outward shows are often different from practical utility or reality; things or people may look one way but serve another purpose or lack the substance suggested by their appearance.
Examples:
HI: 'हाथी के दांत खाने के और दिखाने के और'- यह कहावत
EN: is "also" weeping and gnashing of teeth."19 And this He saith, indicating
EN: the Diet of Worms and the Diet of Spires" I rejoice that