Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 186
Brāhmaṇya-प्रश्नः — The Inquiry into Attaining Brāhmaṇya
Mataṅga–Gardabhī Itihāsa
त्रिरात्रोपोषितो भूत्वा मुच्यते ब्रह्म॒हत्यया | जो लोभका त्याग करके भृगुतुड्ग-क्षेत्रके महाहदद नामक तीर्थमें स्नान करता है और तीन राततक भोजन छोड़ देता है, वह ब्रह्महत्याके पापसे मुक्त हो जाता है
trirātroposito bhūtvā mucyate brahmahatyayā |
阿阇陀利耶说道：“守持三夜断食，便能从梵杀罪（brahma-hatyā，即杀害婆罗门之罪）中解脱。”在《阿努沙娑那》教诫的伦理框架中，此偈将苦行（upavāsa，断食）视为净化之法，用以在重大过失之后重建德行。
अजड्रिय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a disciplined three-night fast (trirātra-upavāsa) functions as a form of prāyaścitta (atonement), capable of purifying even the grave sin termed brahma-hatyā, emphasizing moral repair through austerity and self-restraint.
Within the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and expiations, the speaker Ajadriya states a specific remedial observance: fasting for three nights is presented as a means to obtain release from the guilt and consequences associated with brahma-hatyā.