Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, 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 ||
Wika ni Aṅgiras: “O Bhārata, kung ang isang tao, na may disiplinadong isip at napasuko ang mga pandama, ay mag-ayuno sa ikalimang araw, ikaanim na araw, at sa araw ng kabilugan ng buwan—kumakain lamang nang isang beses (at sa isa pang oras ay nag-aayuno)—siya’y nagiging mapagpatawad, may magandang anyo, at marunong. Ang gayong matalinong lalaki ay hindi mahuhulog sa kawalan ng supling o sa karalitaan.”
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.