Shloka 26
Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
भागार्थ तपसो धातु तेषां सोम॑ तथाध्वरे
bhāgārtha tapaso dhātu teṣāṃ soma tathādhvare
قال ماركانديَيا: «إنَّ السُّوما في شعيرة القربان هو لهم جوهرُ القِوام ونصيبُهم الحقّ—هو المادةُ عينُها التي تُغذّي تَقشُّفهم وتُسندُ مسعاهم المقدّس».
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links tapas (austerity) and yajña (sacrifice) through the idea of rightful share (bhāga): sacred action is sustained when offerings are properly apportioned and directed, with Soma functioning as a key sustaining essence within the ritual order.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing the ritual framework in which certain beings or participants are sustained: in the context of sacrifice (adhvara), Soma is identified as their sustaining principle and the object connected with their due portion and purpose.