Sukta 170
Sukta 1.170
Agastya
Indra–Maruts dialogue frame (this sukta is often read as a tension/conciliation hymn involving Indra, Maruts, and the seer)
Triṣṭubh (general for the hymn; this verse shows compact, gnomic style)
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn, voiced in a dialogic frame, stages tension and reconciliation between Indra and the Maruts, with Agastya as the mediating seer. It opens with gnomic uncertainty about what can be known and how unstable “another’s mind” can be, then turns toward restoring concord so Indra may accept the offerings in accordance with ṛta (cosmic order). The purpose is both ritual (securing Indra’s participation with the Maruts) and ethical-psychological (straightening will, speech, and alliance).
Mantras
Mantra 1
न नूनमस्ति नो श्वः कस्तद्वेद यदद्भुतम् । अन्यस्य चित्तमभि संचरेण्यमुताधीतं वि नश्यति ॥
Not now, not tomorrow—who can know that wonder? Another’s mind is a field one may move about in, yet what has been learned can vanish; therefore the seeker must found knowledge in the stable truth, not in the shifting play of mentality.
Mantra 2
किं न इन्द्र जिघांससि भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव । तेभिः कल्पस्व साधुया मा नः समरणे वधीः ॥
Why wouldst thou strike us, O Indra, when the Maruts are thy brothers? Harmonize thyself with them in the right way; do not smite us in the clash of striving, but make our battle a concord of powers.
Mantra 3
किं नो भ्रातरगस्त्य सखा सन्नति मन्यसे । विद्मा हि ते यथा मनोऽस्मभ्यमिन्न दित्ससि ॥
Why, O brother Agastya, though a friend, dost thou think beyond measure? We know indeed how thy mind stands; thou wouldst not truly give thyself to us. Therefore let the friendship become transparent and the will be made straight.
Mantra 4
अरं कृण्वन्तु वेदिं समग्निमिन्धतां पुरः । तत्रामृतस्य चेतनं यज्ञं ते तनवावहै ॥
Let them make ready the altar; let them kindle the Fire in front. There, in that place, may we extend for thee the sacrifice that is the awakening of immortality—building in the body the conscious rite that opens to the deathless.
Mantra 5
त्वमीशिषे वसुपते वसूनां त्वं मित्राणां मित्रपते धेष्ठः । इन्द्र त्वं मरुद्भिः सं वदस्वाध प्राशान ऋतुथा हवींषि ॥
Thou rulest, O lord of the Vasu-powers, over the riches of being; thou art the strongest lord of friendships. O Indra, speak in concord with the Maruts; then partake, in the rhythm of ṛta, of the offerings—so that the right order may be established in us.
Frequently Asked Questions
It portrays a tension between Indra and the Maruts and moves toward reconciliation, asking Indra to align in speech and intention with the Maruts so the offerings are accepted in ṛta (right order).
It stresses that outcomes and “wonders” cannot be fully predicted and that the mind is unstable; therefore the seeker and sacrificer should ground action in ṛta rather than shifting opinions or moods.
It is suited to recitation in Indra-related offerings (often alongside Marut invocations) when seeking strength, unity among forces or people, and a return to clear, truthful cooperation.