13.109
उपवासविधिः
The procedure of fasting.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां म्लेच्छानां च पितामह। उपवासे मतिरियं कारणं च न विद्महे ॥१३-१०९-१॥
O grandfather, among all the castes and foreigners, we do not know what this intention and the reason for fasting are. (13-109-1)
ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण नियमाश्चर्तव्या इति नः श्रुतम्। उपवासे कथं तेषां कृत्यमस्ति पितामह ॥१३-१०९-२॥
We have heard that observances are to be performed by Brāhmaṇas and Kṣatriyas. O grandsire, what duty do they have during fasting? (13-109-2)
नियमं चोपवासानां सर्वेषां ब्रूहि पार्थिव। अवाप्नोति गतिं कां च उपवासपरायणः ॥१३-१०९-३॥
O king, tell (me) the rule of all fasts, and what state is obtained by one devoted to fasting. (13-109-3)
उपवासः परं पुण्यमुपवासः परायणम्। उपोष्येह नरश्रेष्ठ किं फलं प्रतिपद्यते ॥१३-१०९-४॥
Fasting is the highest virtue; fasting is the supreme refuge. O best of men, what fruit does one attain here by fasting? (13-109-4)
अधर्मान्मुच्यते केन धर्ममाप्नोति वै कथम्। स्वर्गं पुण्यं च लभते कथं भरतसत्तम ॥१३-१०९-५॥
By what means is one freed from adharma? How does one truly attain dharma? How does one obtain heaven and merit, O best of the Bharatas? (13-109-5)
उपोष्य चापि किं तेन प्रदेयं स्यान्नराधिप। धर्मेण च सुखानर्थाँल्लभेद्येन ब्रवीहि तम् ॥१३-१०९-६॥
O king, after fasting, what should be given by that (person)? By what means may one righteously attain pleasurable things? Tell that. (13-109-6)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवं ब्रुवाणं कौन्तेयं धर्मज्ञं धर्मतत्त्ववित्। धर्मपुत्रमिदं वाक्यं भीष्मः शान्तनवोऽब्रवीत् ॥१३-१०९-७॥
Thus, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, spoke these words to Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who knows dharma and its true essence. (13-109-7)
इदं खलु महाराज श्रुतमासीत्पुरातनम्। उपवासविधौ श्रेष्ठा ये गुणा भरतर्षभ ॥१३-१०९-८॥
O great king, this ancient account was heard: the most excellent qualities in the practice of fasting, O bull among the Bharatas. (13-109-8)
प्राजापत्यं ह्यङ्गिरसं पृष्टवानस्मि भारत। यथा मां त्वं तथैवाहं पृष्टवांस्तं तपोधनम् ॥१३-१०९-९॥
O Bhārata, I have indeed asked Aṅgiras about matters relating to Prajāpati. Just as you asked me, so I asked that ascetic (rich in austerity). (13-109-9)
प्रश्नमेतं मया पृष्टो भगवानग्निसम्भवः। उपवासविधिं पुण्यमाचष्ट भरतर्षभ ॥१३-१०९-१०॥
O best of the Bharatas, the revered one born from Agni explained the holy procedure of fasting in response to this question asked by me. (13-109-10)
अङ्गिरा उवाच॥
Aṅgirā said.
ब्रह्मक्षत्रे त्रिरात्रं तु विहितं कुरुनन्दन। द्विस्त्रिरात्रमथैवात्र निर्दिष्टं पुरुषर्षभ ॥१३-१०९-११॥
O joy of the Kurus, for Brāhmaṇas and Kṣatriyas, three nights have been prescribed. Here, two or three nights are specified, O best of men. (13-109-11)
वैश्यशूद्रौ तु यौ मोहादुपवासं प्रकुर्वते। त्रिरात्रं द्विस्त्रिरात्रं वा तयोः पुष्टिर्न विद्यते ॥१३-१०९-१२॥
If a Vaiśya or Śūdra, through delusion, undertakes fasting for two or three nights, or even for three nights, then no benefit is found for either of them from such fasting. (13-109-12)
चतुर्थभक्तक्षपणं वैश्यशूद्रे विधीयते। त्रिरात्रं न तु धर्मज्ञैर्विहितं ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥१३-१०९-१३॥
Abstaining from the fourth meal is prescribed as a fast for Vaiśyas and Śūdras; a three-night fast is not enjoined by those versed in dharma and those conversant with Brahman. (13-109-13)
पञ्चम्यां चैव षष्ठ्यां च पौर्णमास्यां च भारत। क्षमावान्रूपसम्पन्नः श्रुतवांश्चैव जायते ॥१३-१०९-१४॥
O Bhārata, one who is endowed with forbearance, beauty, and learning is born on the fifth, sixth, and full moon days. (13-109-14)
नानपत्यो भवेत्प्राज्ञो दरिद्रो वा कदाचन। यजिष्णुः पञ्चमीं षष्ठीं क्षपेद्यो भोजयेद्द्विजान् ॥१३-१०९-१५॥
A person without offspring may become so, whether learned or poor, at any time—if, being devoted to sacrifice, he feeds Brahmins on the fifth or sixth day. (13-109-15)
अष्टमीमथ कौन्तेय शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्दशीम्। उपोष्य व्याधिरहितो वीर्यवानभिजायते ॥१३-१०९-१६॥
O son of Kunti, one who fasts on the eighth and fourteenth days in the waxing fortnight becomes free from disease and is born strong and vigorous. (13-109-16)
मार्गशीर्षं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन सङ्क्षिपेत्। भोजयेच्च द्विजान्भक्त्या स मुच्येद्व्याधिकिल्बिषैः ॥१३-१०९-१७॥
But whoever, during the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, restricts himself to one meal a day and devoutly feeds Brahmins, he shall be freed from diseases and sins. (13-109-17)
सर्वकल्याणसम्पूर्णः सर्वौषधिसमन्वितः। कृषिभागी बहुधनो बहुपुत्रश्च जायते ॥१३-१०९-१८॥
One is born completely filled with all auspiciousness, endowed with all medicinal plants, partaking in agriculture, possessing great wealth, and having many sons. (13-109-18)
पौषमासं तु कौन्तेय भक्तेनैकेन यः क्षपेत्। सुभगो दर्शनीयश्च यशोभागी च जायते ॥१३-१०९-१९॥
But, O son of Kunti, whoever as a single devotee observes (endures) the month of Pauṣa becomes fortunate, attractive, and endowed with fame. (13-109-19)
पितृभक्तो माघमासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत्। श्रीमत्कुले ज्ञातिमध्ये स महत्त्वं प्रपद्यते ॥१३-१०९-२०॥
He who, being devoted to ancestors, spends the month of Māgha taking only one meal a day, attains greatness among his relatives in a distinguished lineage. (13-109-20)
भगदैवं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत्। स्त्रीषु वल्लभतां याति वश्याश्चास्य भवन्ति ताः ॥१३-१०९-२१॥
But whoever spends a month for the bhaga deity with one meal a day, attains belovedness among women, and those women become obedient to him. (13-109-21)
चैत्रं तु नियतो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत्। सुवर्णमणिमुक्ताढ्ये कुले महति जायते ॥१३-१०९-२२॥
But whoever spends the month of Caitra with discipline, taking only one meal each day, is born into a great family rich in gold, jewels, and pearls. (13-109-22)
निस्तरेदेकभक्तेन वैशाखं यो जितेन्द्रियः। नरो वा यदि वा नारी ज्ञातीनां श्रेष्ठतां व्रजेत् ॥१३-१०९-२३॥
Whoever, having mastered the senses, spends the month of Vaiśākha eating only one meal a day—whether a man or a woman—attains the highest status among their relatives. (13-109-23)
ज्येष्ठामूलं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन सङ्क्षपेत्। ऐश्वर्यमतुलं श्रेष्ठं पुमान्स्त्री वाभिजायते ॥१३-१०९-२४॥
But whoever consumes the root of the Jyeṣṭhā plant for a month as a single daily meal will obtain unparalleled, excellent wealth, whether a man or a woman. (13-109-24)
आषाढमेकभक्तेन स्थित्वा मासमतन्द्रितः। बहुधान्यो बहुधनो बहुपुत्रश्च जायते ॥१३-१०९-२५॥
He who, in the month of Āṣāḍha, subsists on one meal for a month without negligence becomes rich in grain and wealth, and has many sons. (13-109-25)
श्रावणं नियतो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत्। यत्र तत्राभिषेकेण युज्यते ज्ञातिवर्धनः ॥१३-१०९-२६॥
Whoever, being self-controlled, spends the month of Śrāvaṇa subsisting on one meal a day, wherever ritual bathing is performed, is honored as one who causes the growth of his lineage. (13-109-26)
प्रौष्ठपदं तु यो मासमेकाहारो भवेन्नरः। धनाढ्यं स्फीतमचलमैश्वर्यं प्रतिपद्यते ॥१३-१०९-२७॥
But the man who, in the month of Bhādrapada, subsists on one meal a day for a month obtains stable, abundant, and unshakable wealth and sovereignty. (13-109-27)
तथैवाश्वयुजं मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत्। प्रजावान्वाहनाढ्यश्च बहुपुत्रश्च जायते ॥१३-१०९-२८॥
Likewise, whoever spends the month of Aśvayuja taking only one meal is born with many children, abundant vehicles, and much progeny. (13-109-28)
कार्त्तिकं तु नरो मासं यः कुर्यादेकभोजनम्। शूरश्च बहुभार्यश्च कीर्तिमांश्चैव जायते ॥१३-१०९-२९॥
But a man who observes one meal per day during the month of Kārtika becomes valiant, the possessor of many wives, and renowned. (13-109-29)
इति मासा नरव्याघ्र क्षपतां परिकीर्तिताः। तिथीनां नियमा ये तु शृणु तानपि पार्थिव ॥१३-१०९-३०॥
Thus, O tiger among men, the months for those who perform expiations have been described. Now hear also, O king, the rules regarding the lunar days. (13-109-30)
पक्षे पक्षे गते यस्तु भक्तमश्नाति भारत। गवाढ्यो बहुपुत्रश्च दीर्घायुश्च स जायते ॥१३-१०९-३१॥
O Bhārata, he who eats rice at the end of every fortnight becomes rich in cattle, has many sons, and becomes long-lived. (13-109-31)
मासि मासि त्रिरात्राणि कृत्वा वर्षाणि द्वादश। गणाधिपत्यं प्राप्नोति निःसपत्नमनाविलम् ॥१३-१०९-३२॥
By performing the practice for three nights every month for twelve years, one attains undisturbed chieftainship of the group, free of rivals. (13-109-32)
एते तु नियमाः सर्वे कर्तव्याः शरदो दश। द्वे चान्ये भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रवृत्तिमनुवर्तता ॥१३-१०९-३३॥
But all these rules should be observed for ten years; and, O best of the Bharatas, the other two by those who pursue activity. (13-109-33)
यस्तु प्रातस्तथा सायं भुञ्जानो नान्तरा पिबेत्। अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं जुह्वानो जातवेदसम् ॥१३-१०९-३४॥
But he who eats in the morning and likewise in the evening, and does not drink in the intervals, who is always devoted to non-violence and continually offers oblations to Jātavedas (fire), (is approved). (13-109-34)
षड्भिः स वर्षैर्नृपते सिध्यते नात्र संशयः। अग्निष्टोमस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥१३-१०९-३५॥
O king, in six years it is accomplished; there is no doubt in this. A man obtains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (13-109-35)
अधिवासे सोऽप्सरसां नृत्यगीतविनादिते। तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णाभं विमानमधिरोहति ॥१३-१०९-३६॥
He ascends the celestial chariot, radiant like molten gold, in the abode of the apsarases, which resounds with dance, song, and lute. (13-109-36)
पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु ब्रह्मलोके महीयते। तत्क्षयादिह चागम्य माहात्म्यं प्रतिपद्यते ॥१३-१०९-३७॥
A full thousand years is honored in Brahma's world; and after the end of that period, coming here, greatness is attained. (13-109-37)
यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णमेकाहारो भवेन्नरः। अतिरात्रस्य यज्ञस्य स फलं समुपाश्नुते ॥१३-१०९-३८॥
But the man who takes only one meal a day for a full year attains the fruit of performing the Atirātra sacrifice. (13-109-38)
दशवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे च स महीयते। तत्क्षयादिह चागम्य माहात्म्यं प्रतिपद्यते ॥१३-१०९-३९॥
He is honored in heaven for ten thousand years, and after that period ends, when he comes here, he attains greatness. (13-109-39)
यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णं चतुर्थं भक्तमश्नुते। अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं सत्यवाङ्नियतेन्द्रियः ॥१३-१०९-४०॥
But he who, for a full year, eats food on every fourth day, always devoted to non-violence, ever truthful, and with controlled senses— (13-109-40)
वाजपेयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं वै समुपाश्नुते। त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे च स महीयते ॥१३-१०९-४१॥
He who performs the Vājapeya sacrifice indeed attains its fruit. He is honored in heaven for thirty thousand years. (13-109-41)
षष्ठे काले तु कौन्तेय नरः संवत्सरं क्षपेत्। अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥१३-१०९-४२॥
O son of Kuntī, if a man passes a year in the sixth period, he attains the fruit of the aśvamedha sacrifice. (13-109-42)
चक्रवाकप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति। चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते ॥१३-१०९-४३॥
He travels by an aerial vehicle driven by chakravāka birds and enjoys forty thousand years in heaven. (13-109-43)
अष्टमेन तु भक्तेन जीवन्संवत्सरं नृप। गवामयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥१३-१०९-४४॥
But O king, by observing (this fast) for the eighth time as a devotee while living for a year, a man obtains the fruit of the gavāmaya (cow-sacrifice). (13-109-44)
हंससारसयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति। पञ्चाशतं सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते ॥१३-१०९-४५॥
He departs in a vehicle drawn by swans and cranes. In heaven he enjoys happiness for fifty thousand years. (13-109-45)
पक्षे पक्षे गते राजन्योऽश्नीयाद्वर्षमेव तु। षण्मासानशनं तस्य भगवानङ्गिराब्रवीत् ॥ षष्टिं वर्षसहस्राणि दिवमावसते च सः ॥१३-१०९-४६॥
As each fortnight passes, a Kṣatriya should eat only once in a year; regarding this vow of six-months eating, the Venerable Angiras said that he (who observes it) resides in heaven for sixty thousand years. (13-109-46)
वीणानां वल्लकीनां च वेणूनां च विशां पते। सुघोषैर्मधुरैः शब्दैः सुप्तः स प्रतिबोध्यते ॥१३-१०९-४७॥
O lord of the peoples, he who is asleep is awakened by the sweet and melodious sounds of vīṇās, vallakīs, and veṇūs (stringed and wind instruments). (13-109-47)
संवत्सरमिहैकं तु मासि मासि पिबेत्पयः। फलं विश्वजितस्तात प्राप्नोति स नरो नृप ॥१३-१०९-४८॥
O king, here, if a man drinks only milk every month for a year, dear one, he obtains the fruit of the Viśvajit sacrifice. (13-109-48)
सिंहव्याघ्रप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति। सप्ततिं च सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते ॥१३-१०९-४९॥
He travels in a celestial vehicle drawn by lions and tigers. He enjoys seventy thousand years in heaven. (13-109-49)
मासादूर्ध्वं नरव्याघ्र नोपवासो विधीयते। विधिं त्वनशनस्याहुः पार्थ धर्मविदो जनाः ॥१३-१०९-५०॥
O tiger among men, after a month, fasting is no longer prescribed; but, O son of Pṛthā, people who know dharma declare the procedure of abstaining from food. (13-109-50)
अनार्तो व्याधिरहितो गच्छेदनशनं तु यः। पदे पदे यज्ञफलं स प्राप्नोति न संशयः ॥१३-१०९-५१॥
He who, being free from distress and free from disease, observes fasting—such a one obtains the fruit of a sacrifice at every step; there is no doubt about this. (13-109-51)
दिवं हंसप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति। शतं चाप्सरसः कन्या रमयन्त्यपि तं नरम् ॥१३-१०९-५२॥
He goes to heaven in an aerial chariot drawn by swans, and a hundred Apsaras maidens also delight that man. (13-109-52)
आर्तो वा व्याधितो वापि गच्छेदनशनं तु यः। शतं वर्षसहस्राणां मोदते दिवि स प्रभो ॥ काञ्चीनूपुरशब्देन सुप्तश्चैव प्रबोध्यते ॥१३-१०९-५३॥
O Lord, even if a person, though distressed or afflicted with disease, observes a fast and goes, he enjoys happiness in heaven for a hundred thousand years; he is awakened from his sleep by the jingling sound of girdles and anklets. (13-109-53)
सहस्रहंससंयुक्ते विमाने सोमवर्चसि। स गत्वा स्त्रीशताकीर्णे रमते भरतर्षभ ॥१३-१०९-५४॥
O bull among the Bharatas, in the aerial car drawn by a thousand swans and shining with the luster of soma, he goes and enjoys among a hundred women. (13-109-54)
क्षीणस्याप्यायनं दृष्टं क्षतस्य क्षतरोहणम्। व्याधितस्यौषधग्रामः क्रुद्धस्य च प्रसादनम् ॥१३-१०९-५५॥
Restoration is seen for those who are diminished; wound healing for the wounded; a collection of medicines for the diseased; and pacification for the angry. (13-109-55)
दुःखितस्यार्थमानाभ्यां द्रव्याणां प्रतिपादनम्। न चैते स्वर्गकामस्य रोचन्ते सुखमेधसः ॥१३-१०९-५६॥
Giving away possessions to the afflicted, when pressed by urgent request, is not pleasing to one who desires heaven and cherishes happiness. (13-109-56)
अतः स कामसंयुक्तो विमाने हेमसंनिभे। रमते स्त्रीशताकीर्णे पुरुषोऽलङ्कृतः शुभे ॥१३-१०९-५७॥
Therefore, united with desire, the adorned man rejoices in an auspicious aerial chariot, golden in appearance and filled with hundreds of women. (13-109-57)
स्वस्थः सफलसङ्कल्पः सुखी विगतकल्मषः। अनश्नन्देहमुत्सृज्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥१३-१०९-५८॥
The self-possessed, resolute, happy, and pure man, without eating and having abandoned the body, attains the fruit. (13-109-58)
बालसूर्यप्रतीकाशे विमाने हेमवर्चसि। वैडूर्यमुक्ताखचिते वीणामुरजनादिते ॥१३-१०९-५९॥
In a palace shimmering like the rising sun, bright with golden radiance, inlaid with cat's eye gems and pearls, resounding with the music of veena and drums. (13-109-59)
पताकादीपिकाकीर्णे दिव्यघण्टानिनादिते। स्त्रीसहस्रानुचरिते स नरः सुखमेधते ॥१३-१०९-६०॥
That man attains happiness in a place adorned with banners and lamps, ringing with divine bells, and accompanied by thousands of women. (13-109-60)
यावन्ति रोमकूपाणि तस्य गात्रेषु पाण्डव। तावन्त्येव सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते ॥१३-१०९-६१॥
O Pāṇḍava, as many hair-pores as are on his body, for just so many thousands of years does he rejoice in heaven. (13-109-61)
नास्ति वेदात्परं शास्त्रं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरुः। न धर्मात्परमो लाभस्तपो नानशनात्परम् ॥१३-१०९-६२॥
There is no scripture higher than the Veda, no teacher equal to the mother. There is no gain greater than dharma, and no austerity higher than fasting. (13-109-62)
ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति पावनं दिवि चेह च। उपवासैस्तथा तुल्यं तपःकर्म न विद्यते ॥१३-१०९-६३॥
There is no greater purifier than the Brāhmaṇas, either in heaven or on earth. Likewise, there exists no austerity or act of penance equal to fasting. (13-109-63)
उपोष्य विधिवद्देवास्त्रिदिवं प्रतिपेदिरे। ऋषयश्च परां सिद्धिमुपवासैरवाप्नुवन् ॥१३-१०९-६४॥
Having properly observed fasts, the gods reached heaven, and the sages too attained the highest perfection through fasting. (13-109-64)
दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं हि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता। क्षान्तमेकेन भक्तेन तेन विप्रत्वमागतः ॥१३-१०९-६५॥
Indeed, Viśvāmitra, the intelligent one, endured a divine thousand years with single-minded devotion, and thus he attained Brāhmaṇa-hood. (13-109-65)
च्यवनो जमदग्निश्च वसिष्ठो गौतमो भृगुः। सर्व एव दिवं प्राप्ताः क्षमावन्तो महर्षयः ॥१३-१०९-६६॥
Cyavana, Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, and Bhṛgu—all these great sages endowed with forbearance have reached heaven. (13-109-66)
इदमङ्गिरसा पूर्वं महर्षिभ्यः प्रदर्शितम्। यः प्रदर्शयते नित्यं न स दुःखमवाप्नुते ॥१३-१०९-६७॥
This was previously shown by Aṅgiras to the great sages. Whoever always demonstrates this will not encounter sorrow. (13-109-67)
इमं तु कौन्तेय यथाक्रमं विधिं; प्रवर्तितं ह्यङ्गिरसा महर्षिणा। पठेत यो वै शृणुयाच्च नित्यदा; न विद्यते तस्य नरस्य किल्बिषम् ॥१३-१०९-६८॥
But, O son of Kuntī, whoever reads or always listens to this procedure, as set forth in due order by the great sage Aṅgiras, for that person there is no sin at all. (13-109-68)
विमुच्यते चापि स सर्वसङ्करै; र्न चास्य दोषैरभिभूयते मनः। वियोनिजानां च विजानते रुतं; ध्रुवां च कीर्तिं लभते नरोत्तमः ॥१३-१०९-६९॥
He is freed from all confusion, his mind is not overpowered by faults, he understands the sounds made by aerial beings, and the best among men attains unfailing fame. (13-109-69)
