Obstacles to Rain (AN5.197)

Numbered Discourses 5.197

20. Brahmins

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?

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.

Furthermore, in the upper atmosphere the air element flares up,

which disperses the clouds.

This is the second obstacle to rain …

Furthermore, Rāhu, lord of titans, receives water in his hand and discards it in the ocean.

This is the third obstacle to rain …

Furthermore, the gods of the rain clouds become negligent.

This is the fourth obstacle to rain …

Furthermore, humans become unprincipled.

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

These are the five obstacles to rain, which the forecasters don’t know, and which their vision does not traverse.”