Shloka 176
उपवासफलात्मकविधिः — Upavāsa as Yajña-Equivalent Merit
Angiras Teaching
भोजयेच्च द्विजान् शक्त्या स मुच्येद् व्याधिकिल्बिषै: । जो मार्गशीर्ष मासको एक समय भोजन करके बिताता है और अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार ब्राह्मणोंको भोजन कराता है, वह रोग और पापोंसे मुक्त हो जाता है
bhojayec ca dvijān śaktyā sa mucyed vyādhikilbiṣaiḥ |
Aṅgiras said: “If one feeds the twice-born (Brahmins) according to one’s capacity, one becomes freed from the demerit that arises from disease and from sin.” The verse commends modest, ability-based generosity as a dharmic act that purifies and protects the giver.
अंगियरा उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should practice charitable hospitality—feeding the dvijas—within one’s means; such measured generosity is presented as a purifier that removes sin and the moral taint associated with illness.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, the sage Aṅgiras delivers a dharma teaching that links feeding Brahmins (as guests/recipients of dāna) with spiritual purification and freedom from afflictive demerit.