The Blessing of Rain

The world its course maintains through life that rain unfailing gives;
Thus rain is known the true ambrosial food of all that lives

Explanation
By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia.

Tamil Transliteration
Vaannindru Ulakam Vazhangi Varudhalaal
Thaanamizhdham Endrunarar Paatru.

The rain makes pleasant food for eaters rise;
As food itself, thirst-quenching draught supplies

Explanation
Rain produces good food, and is itself food.

Tamil Transliteration
Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith Thuppaarkkuth
Thuppaaya Thooum Mazhai.

If clouds, that promised rain, deceive, and in the sky remain,
Famine, sore torment, stalks o'er earth's vast ocean-girdled plain

Explanation
If the cloud, withholding rain, deceive (our hopes) hunger will long distress the sea-girt spacious world.

Tamil Transliteration
Vinindru Poippin Virineer Viyanulakaththu
Ulnindru Utatrum Pasi.

If clouds their wealth of waters fail on earth to pour,
The ploughers plough with oxen's sturdy team no more

Explanation
If the abundance of wealth imparting rain diminish, the labour of the plough must cease.

Tamil Transliteration
Erin Uzhaaar Uzhavar Puyalennum
Vaari Valangundrik Kaal.

'Tis rain works all: it ruin spreads, then timely aid supplies;
As, in the happy days before, it bids the ruined rise

Explanation
Rain by its absence ruins men; and by its existence restores them to fortune.

Tamil Transliteration
Ketuppadhooum Kettaarkkuch Chaarvaaimar Raange
Etuppadhooum Ellaam Mazhai.

If from the clouds no drops of rain are shed
'Tis rare to see green herb lift up its head

Explanation
4 If no drop falls from the clouds, not even the green blade of grass will be seen.

Tamil Transliteration
Visumpin Thuliveezhin Allaalmar Raange
Pasumpul Thalaikaanpu Aridhu.

If clouds restrain their gifts and grant no rain,
The treasures fail in ocean's wide domain

Explanation
Even the wealth of the wide sea will be diminished, if the cloud that has drawn (its waters) up gives them not back again (in rain).

Tamil Transliteration
Netungatalum Thanneermai Kundrum Thatindhezhili
Thaannalkaa Thaaki Vitin.

If heaven grow dry, with feast and offering never more,
Will men on earth the heavenly ones adore

Explanation
If the heaven dry up, neither yearly festivals, nor daily worship will be offered in this world, to the celestials.

Tamil Transliteration
Sirappotu Poosanai Sellaadhu Vaanam
Varakkumel Vaanorkkum Eentu.

If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense,
Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of 'penitence'

Explanation
If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world.

Tamil Transliteration
Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa Viyanulakam
Vaanam Vazhangaa Thenin.

When water fails, functions of nature cease, you say;
Thus when rain fails, no men can walk in 'duty's ordered way'

Explanation
If it be said that the duties of life cannot be discharged by any person without water, so without rain there cannot be the flowing of water.

Tamil Transliteration
Neerindru Amaiyaadhu Ulakenin Yaaryaarkkum
Vaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku.