Obstacles to Rain

“Mendicants, there are these five obstacles to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.What five?

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, vassassa antarāyā, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati. *nemittā → nemittakā (katthaci)Katame pañca?

“Mendicants, there are these five obstacles to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.“Pañcime, bhikkhave, vassassa antarāyā, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati. *nemittā → nemittakā (katthaci)What five?Katame pañca?

In the upper atmosphere the fire element flares up,which disperses the clouds.This is the first obstacle to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.

Upari, bhikkhave, ākāse tejodhātu pakuppati. Tena uppannā meghā paṭivigacchanti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

In the upper atmosphere the fire element flares up,Upari, bhikkhave, ākāse tejodhātu pakuppati. which disperses the clouds.Tena uppannā meghā paṭivigacchanti. This is the first obstacle to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, in the upper atmosphere the air element flares up,which disperses the clouds.This is the second obstacle to rain …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, upari ākāse vāyodhātu pakuppati. Tena uppannā meghā paṭivigacchanti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, in the upper atmosphere the air element flares up,Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, upari ākāse vāyodhātu pakuppati. which disperses the clouds.Tena uppannā meghā paṭivigacchanti. This is the second obstacle to rain …Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, Rāhu, lord of titans, receives water in his hand and discards it in the ocean.This is the third obstacle to rain …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rāhu asurindo pāṇinā udakaṁ sampaṭicchitvā mahāsamudde chaḍḍeti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, Rāhu, lord of titans, receives water in his hand and discards it in the ocean.Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rāhu asurindo pāṇinā udakaṁ sampaṭicchitvā mahāsamudde chaḍḍeti. This is the third obstacle to rain …Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, the gods of the rain clouds become negligent.This is the fourth obstacle to rain …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, vassavalāhakā devā pamattā honti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, the gods of the rain clouds become negligent.Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, vassavalāhakā devā pamattā honti. This is the fourth obstacle to rain …Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, humans become unprincipled.This is the fifth obstacle to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, manussā adhammikā honti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.

Furthermore, humans become unprincipled.Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, manussā adhammikā honti. This is the fifth obstacle to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamo vassassa antarāyo, yaṁ nemittā na jānanti, yattha nemittānaṁ cakkhu na kamati.