SN 1.74 Rain

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kiṁsu uppatataṁ seṭṭhaṁ,

“What’s the best of things that rise?

kiṁsu nipatataṁ varaṁ;

And what’s the finest thing to fall?

Kiṁsu pavajamānānaṁ,

And what of the things that go forth?

kiṁsu pavadataṁ varan”ti.

And who’s the finest speaker?”

“Bījaṁ uppatataṁ seṭṭhaṁ,

“A seed’s the best of things that rise.

vuṭṭhi nipatataṁ varā;

Rain’s the finest thing to fall.

Gāvo pavajamānānaṁ,

Cattle, of things that go forth.

putto pavadataṁ varo”ti.

And a child is the finest speaker.”

“Vijjā uppatataṁ seṭṭhā,

“Knowledge is best of things that rise.

avijjā nipatataṁ varā;

Ignorance the finest thing to fall.

Saṅgho pavajamānānaṁ,

The Saṅgha, of things that go forth.

buddho pavadataṁ varo”ti.

And the Buddha is the finest speaker.”