Shloka 20
मुमुदे परमप्रीतः सह पुत्र्महायशा:,तपके पुत्र जो रथन्तर नामक अग्नि कहे जाते हैं, उनको दी हुई हवि मित्रविन्द देवताका भाग है, ऐसा यजुर्वेदी विद्वान् मानते हैं। महायशस्वी तप (पाज्चजन्य) अपने इन सभी पुत्रोंके सहित अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हो आनन्दमग्न रहते हैं
mumude paramaprītaḥ saha putrair mahāyaśāḥ | tapasaḥ putrā ye rathantara-nāmāgnayaḥ kathyante, tebhyo dattā haviḥ mitravinda-devatāyā bhāga iti yajuḥ-vedavido manyante | mahāyaśas tapo (pāñcajanyaḥ) sa sarvaiḥ putraiḥ saha atyanta-prasanna ānandamagno babhūva ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: The illustrious Tapas, delighted beyond measure, rejoiced together with his sons. The oblation offered to those fires—known as the sons of Tapas and bearing the name Rathantara—is regarded by Yajurvedic experts as the portion belonging to the deity Mitravinda. Thus Tapas (also called Pāñcajanya), surrounded by all his sons, remained exceedingly pleased and immersed in joy.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the Vedic principle that offerings in sacrifice are not arbitrary: each oblation has a designated divine recipient, as preserved and interpreted by authoritative ritual knowledge (here, Yajurvedic experts). Proper allocation of the ‘bhāga’ sustains sacred order and brings auspicious satisfaction.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Tapas rejoicing with his sons, identified with specific ritual fires called ‘Rathantara.’ The oblation given to these fires is explained as belonging to the deity Mitravinda, according to Yajurvedic tradition, and Tapas remains delighted with all his sons.