This poem beautifully conveys the eternal cycle of rain and its selfless contribution to the earth. The poet draws a parallel between rain and poetry—both originate from a source, spread, fulfill their purpose, and return, continuing the cycle of nourishment and inspiration. Rain symbolizes renewal, purity, and the beauty of nature, just as poetry rejuvenates the human soul.
Verse-by-Verse Bilingual Interpretation
Verse 1: And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,
➡️ मैले नरम वर्षालाई सोधेँ – "तिमी को हौ?"
Interpretation: The poet is addressing the rain directly, as if it were a living being (personification). This creates a sense of conversation between nature and humanity.
Verse 2: Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
➡️ अचम्म मान्नुपर्छ, वर्षाले मलाई उत्तर दिइन्, जसलाई मैले यसरी अनुवाद गरेँ:
Interpretation: The poet is surprised that the rain "responds," indicating a deep connection between nature and humans.
Verse 3: I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
➡️ वर्षाले भन्यो – "म पृथ्वीको कविता हुँ।"
Interpretation: The rain describes itself as the "Poem of Earth," suggesting that, like poetry, it is an expression of nature’s beauty and rhythm.
Verse 4: Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea,
➡️ म अनन्त रूपमा अदृश्य रूपमा पृथ्वी र अथाह समुद्रबाट माथि उठ्छु।
Interpretation: The rain explains that it is part of a never-ending cycle. It rises invisibly as water vapor from land and sea.
Verse 5: Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether changed, and yet the same,
➡️ स्वर्ग (आकाश) तर्फ जान्छु, जहाँ म अस्पष्ट रूपमा रूप बदल्छु, तर फेरि पनि उही नै रहन्छु।
Interpretation: The rain undergoes transformation—it changes into clouds but retains its essence.
Verse 6: I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,
➡️ म पृथ्वीको सुख्खा भाग, धूलो कणहरू, र मरुभूमिलाई नुहाउन झर्छु।
Interpretation: When the rain falls, it nourishes dry lands, cleanses dust, and refreshes the earth.
Verse 7: And all that in them without me were only seeds, latent, unborn;
➡️ र मेरा बिना, ती सबै (बालीका बिउहरू) केवल सुप्त र अजन्मिएका रहन्थे।
Interpretation: Without rain, seeds would remain dormant and never sprout. Rain gives life.
Verse 8: And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,
➡️ र म सधैं, दिनरात, आफ्नै उत्पत्तिलाई जीवन फर्काइरहन्छु।
Interpretation: The rain continuously replenishes the earth and maintains the cycle of nature.
Verse 9: And make pure and beautify it (for song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfillment, wandering,
➡️ र म यसलाई शुद्ध र सुन्दर बनाउँछु (जसरी एउटा गीत आफ्नो जन्मस्थलबाट निस्किएर, आफ्नो उद्देश्य पूरा गरेर,)
Interpretation: Rain purifies and beautifies the earth, just as a song or poem fulfills its purpose and spreads its influence.
Verse 10: Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.
➡️ सुने पनि नसुने पनि, आफ्नो यात्रापछि प्रेमपूर्वक पुन: फर्किन्छ।
Interpretation: Whether humans appreciate it or not, rain continues its cycle selflessly.
Word List with Meanings and Pronunciations
| Word & Pronunciation | Meaning (English) | नेपाली अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Thou /ðaʊ/ | You (old English) | तिमी, तँ |
| Soft-falling /sɒft ˈfɔːlɪŋ/ | Falling gently | हल्का झर्ने |
| Strange to tell /streɪndʒ tu tɛl/ | Surprisingly | अचम्म मान्नुपर्छ |
| Impalpable /ɪmˈpælpəbəl/ | Cannot be touched | छुने नसकिने |
| Bottomless /ˈbɒtəm.ləs/ | Very deep | अथाह |
| Vaguely /ˈveɪɡ.li/ | Indistinctly | अस्पष्ट रूपमा |
| Form’d /fɔːmd/ | Shaped, created | बनेको |
| Altogether /ˌɔːltəˈɡɛð.ər/ | Completely | पूर्ण रूपमा |
| Descend /dɪˈsɛnd/ | Come down | तल झर्नु |
| Lave /leɪv/ | Wash, bathe | धुनु, नुहाउनु |
| Droughts /draʊts/ | Long dry period | खडेरी |
| Atomies /ˈæt.ə.miːz/ | Tiny particles | साना कणहरू |
| Latent /ˈleɪ.tənt/ | Hidden, inactive | सुप्त, लुकेको |
| Unborn /ʌnˈbɔːrn/ | Not yet developed | अजन्मिएको |
| Reck’d /rɛkt/ | Cared for / Noticed | ध्यान दिइएको |
| Unreck’d /ʌnˈrɛkt/ | Ignored | बेवास्ता गरिएको |
| Duly /ˈdjuː.li/ | Properly | उचित रूपमा |
| Fulfillment /fʊlˈfɪl.mənt/ | Completion | पूर्ति |
| Wandering /ˈwɒn.dər.ɪŋ/ | Moving without destination | भौतारिने |
Detailed Summary
1. Introduction
The poem begins with a conversation between the poet and the rain. The poet asks the falling rain, "Who are you?" Surprisingly, the rain responds, explaining its journey and purpose. This exchange establishes a mystical tone where nature itself is given a voice.
2. The Eternal Cycle of Rain
The rain rises from the land and the sea as invisible water vapor. It moves upward toward the sky, forming clouds. Although it changes its form, it remains the same in essence. Eventually, it returns to the earth to nourish the land, representing the natural water cycle and renewal.
3. The Role of Rain in Nature
Once it falls back, the rain quenches the thirst of dry land and washes away dust. It helps seeds that lie dormant (latent) to sprout and grow. Without rain, life would remain unborn.
4. Rain as a Metaphor for Poetry
The poet suggests that both rain and poetry are eternal forces. Rain nourishes the earth, while poetry nourishes the human soul. Both travel far, fulfill their purpose, and return to their source with love.
5. Selfless and Unnoticed Contribution
Whether or not people recognize the rain’s importance (reck'd or unreck'd), it continues its journey selflessly. Similarly, poetry remains timeless and influential, completing its journey with love.
Comprehension Exercises (Solved)
Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is the rain's primary role in the poem?
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2. In the poem, what does the rain describe itself as?
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3. What is the rain’s journey in the poem?
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4. How does the rain help the earth in the poem?
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Exercise 2: True or False
1. The poet believes that rain is just an ordinary event without much significance.
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2. The rain rises from the sea and land, changes form, but remains the same in essence.
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3. The rain is portrayed as selfish and seeks recognition from humans.
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4. Rain plays a role in purifying the earth and enabling seeds to grow.
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Exercise 3: Short Answer Questions
Q1: What does the rain mean when it says, "I am the Poem of Earth"?
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Q2: What does the rain describe as its 'purpose' or role on earth?
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Q3: How does the poet compare the rain to poetry?
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Q4: Why does the rain say that it “gives back life to its own origin”?
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Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks
1. "I am the _______ of Earth..." | 2. "I rise _______ out of the land..." | 3. "I descend to lave the _______."
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Exercise 5: Identify Literary Devices
Show Analysis of Personification, Metaphor, Repetition, and Symbolism.
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• Personification: "I am the Poem of Earth" (Rain is speaking).
• Metaphor: Rain is compared to a "Poem" for its rhythm and beauty.
• Repetition: "I give back life to my own origin" emphasizes the cycle.
• Symbolism: Rain symbolizes renewal and life.
Exercise 6 & 7: Critical Analysis
Paraphrase: "I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe."
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Q: What does the poem suggest about the relationship between humans and nature?
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Q: Do you think the poet uses rain as a metaphor for life? Justify.