Strī-dharma: Śiva’s Inquiry, Umā’s Consultation, and Gaṅgā’s Instruction
द्वादश्यां पौर्णमास्यां च मासि मासि घृताक्षतम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्य: प्रयच्छेत तस्य पुण्यं निबोधत,प्रत्येक मासकी द्वादशी और पूर्णिमाके दिन ब्राह्मणोंको घृतसहित चावलोंका दान करे। इसका जो पुण्य है, उसे सुनो
dvādaśyāṁ paurṇamāsyāṁ ca māsi māsi ghṛtākṣatam | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayacchet tasya puṇyaṁ nibodhata ||
Bhīṣma said: On every month’s Dvādaśī and on the full-moon day, one should give to Brāhmaṇas rice-grains mixed with ghee. Listen now and understand the merit that arises from this recurring act of disciplined charity.
लोगश उवाच
Regular, calendar-based charity—giving ghee-mixed unbroken rice to Brāhmaṇas on Dvādaśī and Paurṇamāsī each month—is presented as a disciplined dharmic practice that generates puṇya (religious merit).
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about meritorious gifts and observances, introducing this specific monthly donation and preparing to state its spiritual reward.