Tirukkural - 'ON VIRTUE' - In Praise Of Rain - Kural - 11

As the falling rain sustains the world,
It must be deemed the Nectar of life.

Obviously, it is the heaven's unfailing gift of rain, which alone keeps the earth going; and for that reason, it could be considered as the very Amruta or the drink of the Immortal Gods. 'Manakudavar' has this comment on the whole chapter 'in praise of rain'-'since this (Rain) is the deed of God, this chapter follows that on God'.

Such an idea is also in keeping with the Biblical lines, 'By His knowledge, the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down their due' (Proverbs 3:20). The reference to Amruta in this Kural, is based on the belief that those who take Amruta become immortal, and as the earth is sustained continuously and for ever, on account of rain, the latter is compared to Amruta.

Valluvar is a fundamental thinker. To him food is the basis of life and rain brings up food. It is the sole visible element that determines prosperity in life. In a way, therefore, it amounts to an acceptance by Valluvar of economic determinism as a vital factor in the story of human endeavour in history. Gita also supports this view:

'From food come forth beings; from rain food is produced...' (Gita 3, 14).