Sukta 17
Sukta 2.17
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional attribution for RV 2.17)
Indra (with Agni/Vahni as operative power in the imagery)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 2.17; verse length and cadence consistent)
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn to Indra praises his expansive lordship that grows to encompass all worlds, and his victorious power that establishes light and coherence in the cosmos. Indra’s action is pictured through the operative “Fire-Power” (Agni/Vahni) that stretches the two realms and “sews” the torn darkness, after which the poet asks for vāja (victorious force), protection, and a bounteous dakṣiṇā for the singers.
Mantras
Mantra 4
अधा यो विश्वा भुवनाभि मज्मनेशानकृत्प्रवया अभ्यवर्धत । आद्रोदसी ज्योतिषा वह्निरातनोत्सीव्यन्तमांसि दुधिता समव्ययत् ॥
Then he who, by his vastness, grew over all worlds, the maker of mastery, advancing in the forward impulsion; he stretched out the two firmaments with his light. Sewing together the rents of the darkness, the impelling Fire-Power pressed them into a single coherence.
Mantra 7
अमाजूरिव पित्रोः सचा सती समानादा सदसस्त्वामिये भगम् । कृधि प्रकेतमुप मास्या भर दद्धि भागं तन्वो येन मामहः ॥
Like a child moving close with the parents, being in one home of consciousness I come to you from the common seat, O Bhaga. Make for us the clear perceiving; bring it near in its measure; grant the rightful share to our embodied being by which we may grow in felicity.
Mantra 8
भोजं त्वामिन्द्र वयं हुवेम ददिष्ट्वमिन्द्रापांसि वाजान् । अविड्ढीन्द्र चित्रया न ऊती कृधि वृषन्निन्द्र वस्यसो नः ॥
We call you, O Indra, as the Enjoyer and Lord of the plenitudes; you indeed give the works and the vāja-force. Pierce through for us, O Indra, with your bright and varied help; make us, O Bull of power, possessors of the better state.
Mantra 9
नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥
Now may that bounteous dakṣiṇā be milked out as your answering gift to the singer, O Indra. Teach it to the praisers; let not our Bhaga be burnt away. May we speak the Vast in the assemblies, rich in heroic powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s supreme power that spreads over all worlds and establishes light and order, then asks him for strength (vāja), protection, and prosperity for the worshippers.
The hymn keeps Indra as the main deity, but uses “Vahni” (Fire-Power) as the operative image of luminous force—showing how Indra’s power works to extend light and bind the worlds into coherence.
It is a poetic way of saying that the divine power repairs the ‘rips’ of confusion and obstruction, joining what is scattered into unity and establishing clarity and stability (light) in the cosmos and in life.