Sukta 17

Mantra 1

इन्द्रावरुणयोरहं सम्राजोरव आ वृणे । ता नो मृळात ईदृशे ॥

From Indra and Varuṇa, the two sovereign powers, I choose and seek the protecting help. May they show us grace as we are—so our being may be guided by force and by truth-guarding order.

Mantra 2

गन्तारा हि स्थोऽवसे हवं विप्रस्य मावतः । धर्तारा चर्षणीनाम् ॥

For you two are indeed the comers to our aid, hearing the call of the inspired one who has the mighty impulse; you are the upholders of the peoples—powers that sustain the human march.

Mantra 3

अनुकामं तर्पयेथामिन्द्रावरुण राय आ । ता वां नेदिष्ठमीमहे ॥

Satisfy, according to our soul’s true seeking, the plenitude of our being, O Indra and Varuṇa. We seek you two as the nearest—powers close at hand for the right fulfillment.

Mantra 4

युवाकु हि शचीनां युवाकु सुमतीनाम् । भूयाम वाजदाव्नाम् ॥

For you are the youthful power of the efficacies (śacī), you are the youthful power of the luminous right-mindedness (sumatī). May we become ever more of those who receive the plenitudes of force (vāja).

Mantra 5

इन्द्रः सहस्रदाव्नां वरुणः शंस्यानाम् । क्रतुर्भवत्युक्थ्यः ॥

Indra is of those who bestow a thousandfold plenitude; Varuṇa is of those worthy to be affirmed in the inspired word. The will and discerning power (kratu) becomes fit for the hymn and invocation.

Mantra 6

तयोरिदवसा वयं सनेम नि च धीमहि । स्यादुत प्ररेचनम् ॥

By the help of those two alone, may we win; and may we set our thought steadily within. And may there be also the forward outflowing increase—an overflow of plenitude in the being.

Mantra 7

इन्द्रावरुण वामहं हुवे चित्राय राधसे । अस्मान्त्सु जिग्युषस्कृतम् ॥

O Indra and Varuṇa, I call you for the many-formed plenitude (rādhas). Make us truly those who have won—shape us into victors in the inner battle.

Mantra 8

इन्द्रावरुण नू नु वां सिषासन्तीषु धीष्वा । अस्मभ्यं शर्म यच्छतम् ॥

O Indra and Varuṇa, now—now—enter into our aspiring insights (dhī). Grant to us a sheltering peace (śarma), a safe wideness in which the soul can grow.

Mantra 9

प्र वामश्नोतु सुष्टुतिरिन्द्रावरुण यां हुवे । यामृधाथे सधस्तुतिम् ॥

May this well-shaped praise reach you forth, O Indra and Varuṇa—this call that I utter; the praise that you make prosper as a common (shared) hymn of the assembly of seekers.