Chapter 2: The Blessing of Rain / Vaansirappu
Couplets / kuratpaakal
11. The world its course maintains through life that rain unfailing gives;
Thus rain is known the true ambrosial food of all that livesExplanation: By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia
Transliteration: Vaannindru Ulakam Vazhangi VarudhalaalThaanamizhdham Endrunarar Paatru
12. The rain makes pleasant food for eaters rise;
As food itself, thirst-quenching draught supplies
Explanation: Rain produces good food, and is itself food
Transliteration: Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith ThuppaarkkuthThuppaaya Thooum Mazhai
13. 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
Transliteration: Vinindru Poippin Virineer ViyanulakaththuUlnindru Utatrum Pasi
14. 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
Transiteartion: Erin Uzhaaar Uzhavar PuyalennumVaari 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
Transliteration: Ketuppadhooum Kettaarkkuch Chaarvaaimar RaangeEtuppadhooum Ellaam Mazhai
16. 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
Transliteration: Visumpin Thuliveezhin Allaalmar RaangePasumpul Thalaikaanpu Aridhu
17. 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)
Transliteration: Netungatalum Thanneermai Kundrum ThatindhezhiliThaannalkaa Thaaki Vitin
18. 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
Transliteration: Sirappotu Poosanai Sellaadhu VaanamVarakkumel Vaanorkkum Eentu
- If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense,
Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of ‘penitence’
If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world
Transliteration: Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa ViyanulakamVaanam Vazhangaa Thenin
20. 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
Transliteration : Neerindru Amaiyaadhu Ulakenin YaaryaarkkumVaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku
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