Couplet: The world its course maintains through life that rain unfailing gives; Thus rain is known the true ambrosial food of all that lives English Explanation: By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia Transliteration: Vaannindru Ulakam Vazhangi Varudhalaal Thaanamizhdham Endrunarar Paatru
Couplet: The rain makes pleasant food for eaters rise; As food itself, thirst-quenching draught supplies English Explanation: Rain produces good food, and is itself food Transliteration: Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thooum Mazhai
Couplet: If clouds, that promised rain, deceive, and in the sky remain, Famine, sore torment, stalks o'er earth's vast ocean-girdled plain English Explanation: If the cloud, withholding rain, deceive (our hopes) hunger will long distress the sea-girt spacious world Transliteration: Vinindru Poippin Virineer Viyanulakaththu Ulnindru Utatrum Pasi
Couplet: If clouds their wealth of waters fail on earth to pour, The ploughers plough with oxen's sturdy team no more English Explanation: If the abundance of wealth imparting rain diminish, the labour of the plough must cease Transliteration: Erin Uzhaaar Uzhavar Puyalennum Vaari Valangundrik Kaal
Couplet: 'Tis rain works all: it ruin spreads, then timely aid supplies; As, in the happy days before, it bids the ruined rise English Explanation: Rain by its absence ruins men; and by its existence restores them to fortune Transliteration: Ketuppadhooum Kettaarkkuch Chaarvaaimar Raange Etuppadhooum Ellaam Mazhai
Couplet: If from the clouds no drops of rain are shed 'Tis rare to see green herb lift up its head English Explanation: 4 If no drop falls from the clouds, not even the green blade of grass will be seen Transliteration: Visumpin Thuliveezhin Allaalmar Raange Pasumpul Thalaikaanpu Aridhu
Couplet: If clouds restrain their gifts and grant no rain, The treasures fail in ocean's wide domain English 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 Thatindhezhili Thaannalkaa Thaaki Vitin
Couplet: If heaven grow dry, with feast and offering never more, Will men on earth the heavenly ones adore English 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 Vaanam Varakkumel Vaanorkkum Eentu
Couplet: If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense, Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of 'penitence' English Explanation: If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world Transliteration: Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa Viyanulakam Vaanam Vazhangaa Thenin
Couplet: When water fails, functions of nature cease, you say; Thus when rain fails, no men can walk in 'duty's ordered way' English 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 Yaaryaarkkum Vaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku