Shloka 14
उपवासफलात्मकविधिः — Upavāsa as Yajña-Equivalent Merit
Angiras Teaching
पज्चम्यां वापि षष्ठ्यां च पौर्णमास्यां च भारत । उपोष्य एकभक्तेन नियतात्मा जितेन्द्रिय:
pañcamyāṃ vāpi ṣaṣṭhyāṃ ca paurṇamāsyāṃ ca bhārata | upoṣya ekabhaktena niyatātmā jitendriyaḥ ||
Aṅgiras disse: “Ó Bhārata, se uma pessoa, com a mente disciplinada e os sentidos dominados, observa jejum no quinto dia, no sexto dia e no dia de lua cheia—tomando apenas uma refeição (e abstendo-se no outro momento)—torna-se indulgente, de boa aparência e erudita. Tal homem sábio não cai na falta de filhos nem na pobreza.”
अंगियरा उवाच
Educational Q&A
Regular, disciplined fasting on specific lunar days—paired with restraint of mind and senses and the ekabhakta practice (one meal)—is presented as a dharmic austerity that cultivates virtues (especially forgiveness) and supports well-being, learning, and stability in household life.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and observances, the sage Aṅgiras addresses “Bhārata” and recommends a vrata: fasting on pañcamī, ṣaṣṭhī, and paurṇamāsī with self-control, describing the ethical and worldly fruits attributed to this practice.