THE RAIN-CLOUD'S EXCELLENCE
1) When rain comes right, the world goes on; 'Tis fitting then to call it 'heavenly food '.
2) Rain makes good for men ; Itself is food for hungry men.
3) Should the clouds deceive this sea-girt working, Hunger and thirst will ramp and rage.
4) The ploughman cannot ply this plough
Should the monsoon's abundance fail.
Should the monsoon's abundance fail.
5) 'Ti's lack of rain that ruins all; And the rain's help that lifts the ruined up.
6) If from the sky rain-drops ne'er fall; Fresh blades of grass will ne'er be seen.
7) E'en the wide ocean's wealth will fail, If bulging cloud - banks pour not down again.
8) Worship and festival will fail the gods, Should heaven's rain dry up for men.
9) Both poor and gods will loss their gifts, Should heaven fail to pour its gifts on men.
10) If water fails, the world is lost ; E'en
virtue, if rain fails, is lost for all.
virtue, if rain fails, is lost for all.
-- THIRUVALLUVAR IN THIRUKKURAL.
