Virtue

Poem : 11

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.

Poem : 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.

Poem : 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 seagirt spacious world.

Poem : 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.

Poem : 15

'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.

Poem : 16

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

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

Poem : 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).

Poem : 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.

Poem : 19

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.

Poem : 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.