Rig Veda Sukta 17
Mandala 1Sukta 179 Mantras

Sukta 17

Sukta 1.17

Rishi

Medhātithi Kāṇva (trad.)

Devata

Indra-Varuṇa (dual)

Chandas

Gāyatrī

Cet hymne invoque Indra et Varuṇa ensemble, comme deux « souverains » qui protègent, bénissent et mettent la vie humaine en juste ordre. Il sollicite leur grâce : la force (d’Indra) harmonisée avec la vérité et la loi (de Varuṇa), afin que la volonté (kratu) de l’adorant devienne apte à la louange inspirée et au rite efficace. Les versets finaux soulignent qu’une stuti (louange) bien composée doit parvenir aux deux dieux et être rendue prospère par eux, comme un hymne partagé, communautaire.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.17

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रावरुणयोरहं सम्राजोरव आ वृणे । ता नो मृळात ईदृशे ॥

D’Indra et de Varuṇa, les deux souverains, je choisis et je sollicite l’aide protectrice. Qu’ils nous fassent grâce tels que nous sommes — afin que notre être soit guidé par la force et gardé par l’ordre de vérité (ṛta).

Mantra 2

गन्तारा हि स्थोऽवसे हवं विप्रस्य मावतः । धर्तारा चर्षणीनाम् ॥

Car vous deux, en vérité, venez au secours, vous entendez l’appel du voyant inspiré, mû par un puissant élan ; vous êtes les soutiens des peuples, les porteurs des lignées humaines.

Mantra 3

अनुकामं तर्पयेथामिन्द्रावरुण राय आ । ता वां नेदिष्ठमीमहे ॥

Rassasiez, selon notre désir intime, l’abondance des biens, ô Indra et Varuṇa ; c’est vous deux que nous implorons comme les plus proches.

Mantra 4

युवाकु हि शचीनां युवाकु सुमतीनाम् । भूयाम वाजदाव्नाम् ॥

Car vous êtes la jeune puissance des śacī, vous êtes la jeune puissance des sumatī ; puissions-nous devenir toujours davantage de ceux qui reçoivent vāja, la plénitude de force.

Mantra 5

इन्द्रः सहस्रदाव्नां वरुणः शंस्यानाम् । क्रतुर्भवत्युक्थ्यः ॥

Indra est de ceux qui dispensent une plénitude au mille‑fold; Varuṇa est de ceux qu’il faut affirmer dans la parole inspirée. Le krátu (volonté et puissance de discernement) devient apte à l’hymne et à l’invocation.

Mantra 6

तयोरिदवसा वयं सनेम नि च धीमहि । स्यादुत प्ररेचनम् ॥

Par l’aide de ces deux seuls, puissions‑nous conquérir; et puissions‑nous établir fermement notre pensée au dedans. Et qu’il y ait aussi un jaillissement en avant — un accroissement qui déborde, un trop‑plein de plénitude dans l’être.

Mantra 7

इन्द्रावरुण वामहं हुवे चित्राय राधसे । अस्मान्त्सु जिग्युषस्कृतम् ॥

Ô Indra et Varuṇa, je vous invoque pour la plénitude aux formes multiples (rādhas). Faites de nous de vrais vainqueurs — façonnez‑nous en vainqueurs dans la bataille intérieure.

Mantra 8

इन्द्रावरुण नू नु वां सिषासन्तीषु धीष्वा । अस्मभ्यं शर्म यच्छतम् ॥

Ô Indra et Varuṇa, maintenant—maintenant—entrez dans nos dhī (inspirations) aspirantes. Accordez-nous śarma : une paix protectrice, une vaste sûreté.

Mantra 9

प्र वामश्नोतु सुष्टुतिरिन्द्रावरुण यां हुवे । यामृधाथे सधस्तुतिम् ॥

Que cette louange bien formée vous atteigne, ô Indra et Varuṇa—cet appel que je profère; la louange que vous faites prospérer comme hymne commun de l’assemblée.

Inside Sukta 17

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The poet chooses the protective help of Indra–Varuṇa, explicitly naming them as the two sovereign powers and asking for their mercy.

  2. Development

    The hymn develops their complementary gifts—Indra’s thousandfold giving and Varuṇa’s praiseworthiness in inspired speech—linking divine support to the refinement of human kratu (will/discernment) for true invocation.

  3. Climax

    The central movement is the transformation of intention: kratu becomes ukthya—fit for hymn and effective calling—when aligned with both power and order.

  4. Where it settles

    It concludes by sending forth a well-shaped praise to reach the two gods, asking that they make it prosper as a communal, shared stuti.

The deity: Indra–Varuṇa

  • In the VedaIndra is praised as the mighty giver of abundance and victorious power; Varuṇa as the upholder of ṛta (cosmic order) and the one worthy to be affirmed by true speech. Together they are addressed as samrājau—two sovereigns—whose protection and mercy are sought by the worshipper.
  • Cosmic functionTheir duality integrates force and order: Indra breaks obstacles and releases vitality, while Varuṇa stabilizes the world through law, truth, and moral-cosmic restraint; jointly they safeguard prosperity and right governance in the human and divine realms.
  • Inner significancePsychologically, Indra represents courage, initiative, and the power to overcome inner resistance; Varuṇa represents conscience, integrity, and alignment with truth. Their union signifies disciplined strength—power guided by ethical order—so that one’s intention (kratu) becomes luminous and effective.

The seer

  • Medhātithi Kāṇva (trad.)Kāṇva (Kanva-gotra) · A prominent Kāṇva seer of the early Rigvedic layer, known for hymns of clear ritual address and for pairing divine powers to show complementary cosmic governance.

Famous verses

samrājor ava ā vṛṇe
Verse 1.17.1Sets the hymn’s core stance: the worshipper deliberately seeks the protection of the dual sovereigns and asks for grace “as we are,” framing the entire sukta as a plea for guided strength and right order.Read verse 1.17.1 →
kratur bhavaty ukthyaḥ
Verse 1.17.5Defines the theological complementarity: Indra as abundant giver, Varuṇa as praiseworthy guardian of truth; culminates in the key idea that kratu becomes fit for the hymn—linking ethics, intention, and ritual efficacy.Read verse 1.17.5 →
pra vām aśnotu suṣṭutiḥ
Verse 1.17.9A strong closing ‘sending’ verse: the poet asks that the well-made praise reach Indra–Varuṇa and be made to prosper as sadhastuti, emphasizing communal worship and the fruition of speech.Read verse 1.17.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Samrājau (dual sovereigns)
  • Protection and grace (avaḥ, mṛḷātaḥ)
  • Abundance and victory (Indra)
  • Ṛta, truth, and moral order (Varuṇa)
  • Hymn-responsive and invocation-friendly
  • Guardianship of communal well-being

Also by this seer

  • Rigvedic Kāṇva hymns in Mandala 1 (especially early Indra-centered and allied-deity praises)
  • Tradition associates the Kāṇvas with preserving and transmitting many 1st-maṇḍala sūktas used in Soma and fire offerings

The rite, step by step

  • Āvāhana (invocation) of Indra–Varuṇa as dual sovereigns and protectors
  • Stuti/uktha: recitation of gāyatrī verses with clear articulation and intent (kratu)
  • Offering into Agni as carrier, with special orientation to Soma-related praise
  • Petition for mṛḷa (grace/mercy) and for prosperity of the hymn and the sacrificer
  • Concluding affirmation that the well-made praise reaches the gods and becomes successful as sadhastuti (shared hymn)

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable in the rite)
  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Oblation-cakes or simple food offerings (as per household adaptation)
  • Water/libation (symbolically aligned with Varuṇa)

Frequently Asked Questions

Because they represent complementary rule: Indra gives strength and victory, while Varuṇa upholds truth and cosmic order (ṛta). The hymn asks for a life guided by both power and rightness.

Kratu is will and discerning intention. The verse says that when one aligns with Indra’s force and Varuṇa’s order, the mind becomes capable of true, effective prayer and ritual speech.

It can be recited in the morning before a small fire or lamp, offering a little ghee or water with a clear intention: seek courage to act (Indra) and honesty and self-restraint (Varuṇa), and ask that your words and efforts bear good results.

Ask anything about Sukta 17 of the Rig Veda

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