Shloka 17
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
सो5हमिच्छामि भवता सर्वस्वेनापि याजितुम् । कामये समत्तिक्रान्तुं वासवं त्वत्कृतैर्गुणै:,अतः मेरी इच्छा यह है कि मैं सर्वस्व देकर भी आपसे ही यज्ञ कराऊँ और आपके द्वारा सम्पादित गुणोंके प्रभावसे इन्द्रको भी मात कर दूँ
so 'ham icchāmi bhavatā sarvasvenāpi yājitum | kāmaye samatikrāntuṃ vāsavaṃ tvat-kṛtair guṇaiḥ ||
เพราะฉะนั้น เราปรารถนาจะให้ท่านเป็นผู้ประกอบยัญนี้ แม้ต้องสละทรัพย์ทั้งสิ้นก็ตาม และเราปรารถนาจะก้าวล่วงวาสวะ (อินทร์) ด้วยคุณความดีอันสำเร็จโดยท่าน
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power attributed to properly performed sacrifice and the merit of a qualified officiant: a patron may be willing to relinquish all wealth to secure a righteous ritual, believing that excellence (guṇa) and correct performance can elevate one’s standing—even to the point of rivaling the gods.
King Marutta expresses his determination to have a grand sacrifice conducted specifically by the addressed person (the ritual expert), declaring that he is ready to spend everything for it and that, through the officiant’s accomplished virtues and skill, he hopes to surpass Indra (Vāsava).