Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 11
उपवासफलात्मकविधिः — Upavāsa as Yajña-Equivalent Merit
Angiras Teaching
अंगियरा उवाच ब्रह्मक्षत्रे त्रिरात्रं तु विहितं कुरुनन्दन । द्विस्त्रिरात्रमथैकाहं निर्दिष्ट पुरुषर्षभ
aṅgirā uvāca | brahmakṣatre trirātraṃ tu vihitaṃ kurunandana | dvistrirātram athaikāhaṃ nirdiṣṭa puruṣarṣabha ||
अंगिरा बोले—कुरुनन्दन! ब्राह्मण और क्षत्रिय के लिये तीन रात का उपवास विहित है। और पुरुषश्रेष्ठ! कहीं-कहीं दो त्रिरात्र और फिर एक दिन—अर्थात् कुल सात दिन—का भी संकेत मिलता है।
अंगियरा उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dharma includes regulated self-discipline: specific fasts (trirātra and, in some cases, a seven-day sequence) are prescribed for Brahmins and Kshatriyas, emphasizing restraint and adherence to class-based religious duties.
Sage Aṅgiras is instructing a Kuru prince about prescribed observances. He states the standard three-night fast for Brahmins and Kshatriyas and notes an extended option—two three-night fasts plus one additional day—totaling seven days.