Thirukkural 15 in English

The genial rain ambrosia call: The world but lasts while rain shall fall

The rain begets the food we eat

Let clouds their visits stay, and dearth Distresses all the sea-girt earth

Unless the fruitful shower descend, The ploughman's sacred toil must end

No grassy blade its head will rear, If from the cloud no drop appear

The ocean's wealth will waste away, Except the cloud its stores repay

The earth, beneath a barren sky, Would offerings for the gods deny

Were heaven above to fail below Nor alms nor penance earth would show

Water is life that comes from rain Sans rain our duties go in vain