Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
इष्टिं कृत्वा यथान्यायं सुसमिद्धे हुताशने
iṣṭiṃ kṛtvā yathānyāyaṃ susamiddhe hutāśane
وبعد أن أتمَّ قربان الإِشْتي (iṣṭi) على الوجه المأمور به، والنارُ المقدّسة متّقدةٌ متألّقة، (مضى قُدُماً في تتمّة الشعيرة).
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
The verse foregrounds dharma as correct practice: sacred acts should be performed yathā-nyāyam—according to established rule—especially in ritual contexts where intention is joined to disciplined procedure.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a rite being carried out: an iṣṭi-sacrifice is completed in proper form, with the sacrificial fire well-kindled, setting the scene for the next ritual or narrative development.