Shloka 17
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
सो5हमिच्छामि भवता सर्वस्वेनापि याजितुम् । कामये समत्तिक्रान्तुं वासवं त्वत्कृतैर्गुणै:
so 'ham icchāmi bhavatā sarvasvenāpi yājitum | kāmaye samatikrāntuṃ vāsavaṃ tvat-kṛtair guṇaiḥ ||
马鲁塔说道：“因此我愿由你来为我主持此祭——纵使我必须散尽全部财宝。我渴望凭你所成就的卓越功德，超越瓦萨瓦（因陀罗）本人。”
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).