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 ||
अङ्गिरा उवाच—पञ्चम्यां षष्ठ्यां पौर्णमास्यां च, भारत, नियतात्मा जितेन्द्रियश्चोपोष्यैकभक्तेन वर्तेत्; स क्षमावान् रूपसम्पन्नः श्रुतवान् च भवति। स प्राज्ञः कदाचन नानपत्यो न दरिद्रो भवति।
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.