Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 55
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
चतुरो वार्षिकान् मासान् यो मांसं परिवर्जयेत् । चत्वारि भद्राण्यवाप्रोति कीर्तिमायुर्यशोबलम्
caturō vārṣikān māsān yo māṁsaṁ parivarjayet | catvāri bhadrāṇy avāpnoti kīrtim āyur yaśo balam ||
Bhīṣma said: Whoever abstains from eating meat during the four months of the rainy season attains four auspicious gains—renown, longevity, good repute, and strength.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Seasonal abstinence from meat—specifically during the four monsoon months—is presented as a dharmic restraint that brings four auspicious results: renown, longevity, good reputation, and strength.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising on vows and disciplines; here he recommends a specific dietary observance and states the benefits it yields.