Gods of the Rainy Thunderclouds

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes the heavens rain?”

“Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the rainy thunderclouds.

Sometimes they think:

‘Why don’t we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?’ Then, in accordance with their wish, the heavens rain down. ^[1]

This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes the heavens rain.”

The Linked Discourses on gods of the clouds are complete.