Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 17
उपवासफलात्मकविधिः — Upavāsa as Yajña-Equivalent Merit
Angiras Teaching
मार्गशीर्ष तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन संक्षिपेत्
mārgaśīrṣa tu yo māsam ekabhaktena saṁkṣipet
Wika ni Aṅgirā: “Sinumang magdaan sa buwan ng Mārgaśīrṣa na iisang pagkain lamang bawat araw, ay nagsasagawa ng disiplinadong pagpipigil sa gana—itinataas dito bilang isang marangal na panata (vrata) na humuhubog sa pagpipigil-sa-sarili at sumusuporta sa pamumuhay ayon sa dharma.”
अंगियरा उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends regulated eating—specifically taking only one meal a day during the month of Mārgaśīrṣa—as a form of tapas that cultivates self-mastery and supports ethical, dharmic conduct.
Aṅgirā is enumerating or prescribing month-based religious observances (vratas). Here he highlights the practice of ekabhakta (single daily meal) for the month of Mārgaśīrṣa as a meritorious discipline.