Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) Prologue
When thinking about nature, environment, farming and gratitude for resources.
Vaannindru Ulakam Vazhangi VarudhalaalThaanamizhdham Endrunarar Paatru
By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia
The world its course maintains through life that rain unfailing gives; Thus rain is known the true ambrosial food of all that lives
G. U. Pope, 1886
Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith ThuppaarkkuthThuppaaya Thooum Mazhai
Rain produces good food, and is itself food
The rain makes pleasant food for eaters rise; As food itself, thirst-quenching draught supplies
G. U. Pope, 1886
Vinindru Poippin Virineer ViyanulakaththuUlnindru Utatrum Pasi
If the cloud, withholding rain, deceive (our hopes) hunger will long distress the sea-girt spacious world
If clouds, that promised rain, deceive, and in the sky remain, Famine, sore torment, stalks o'er earth's vast ocean-girdled plain
G. U. Pope, 1886
Erin Uzhaaar Uzhavar PuyalennumVaari Valangundrik Kaal
If the abundance of wealth imparting rain diminish, the labour of the plough must cease
If clouds their wealth of waters fail on earth to pour, The ploughers plough with oxen's sturdy team no more
G. U. Pope, 1886
Ketuppadhooum Kettaarkkuch Chaarvaaimar RaangeEtuppadhooum Ellaam Mazhai
Rain by its absence ruins men; and by its existence restores them to fortune
'Tis rain works all: it ruin spreads, then timely aid supplies; As, in the happy days before, it bids the ruined rise
G. U. Pope, 1886
Visumpin Thuliveezhin Allaalmar RaangePasumpul Thalaikaanpu Aridhu
If no drop falls from the clouds, not even the green blade of grass will be seen
If from the clouds no drops of rain are shed'Tis rare to see green herb lift up its head
G. U. Pope, 1886
Netungatalum Thanneermai Kundrum ThatindhezhiliThaannalkaa Thaaki Vitin
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)
If clouds restrain their gifts and grant no rain, The treasures fail in ocean's wide domain
G. U. Pope, 1886
Sirappotu Poosanai Sellaadhu VaanamVarakkumel Vaanorkkum Eentu
If the heaven dry up, neither yearly festivals, nor daily worship will be offered in this world, to the celestials
If heaven grow dry, with feast and offering never more, Will men on earth the heavenly ones adore
G. U. Pope, 1886
Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa ViyanulakamVaanam Vazhangaa Thenin
If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world
If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense, Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of 'penitence'
G. U. Pope, 1886
Neerindru Amaiyaadhu Ulakenin YaaryaarkkumVaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku
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
When water fails, functions of nature cease, you say; Thus when rain fails, no men can walk in 'duty's ordered way'
G. U. Pope, 1886
