13.109
upavāsavidhiḥ
The procedure of fasting.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
sarveṣāmeva varṇānāṃ mlecchānāṃ ca pitāmaha। upavāse matiriyaṃ kāraṇaṃ ca na vidmahe॥13-109-1॥
O grandfather, among all the castes and foreigners, we do not know what this intention and the reason for fasting are. (13-109-1)
brahmakṣatreṇa niyamāś cartavyā iti naḥ śrutam। upavāse kathaṁ teṣāṁ krityam asti pitāmaha ॥13-109-2॥
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)
niyamaṁ copavāsānāṁ sarveṣāṁ brūhi pārthiva। avāpnoti gatiṁ kāṁ ca upavāsaparāyaṇaḥ ॥13-109-3॥
O king, tell (me) the rule of all fasts, and what state is obtained by one devoted to fasting. (13-109-3)
upavāsaḥ paraṃ puṇyam upavāsaḥ parāyaṇam। upoṣyeha naraśreṣṭha kiṃ phalaṃ pratipadyate ॥13-109-4॥
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)
adharmān mucyate kena dharmam āpnoti vai katham। svargaṃ puṇyaṃ ca labhate katham bharatasattama ॥13-109-5॥
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)
upoṣya cāpi kiṁ tena pradeyaṁ syān narādhipa। dharmeṇa ca sukhān arthān labhet yena bravīhi tam ॥13-109-6॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ kaunteyaṃ dharmajñaṃ dharmatattvavit। dharmaputram idaṃ vākyaṃ bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo 'bravīt ॥13-109-7॥
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)
idaṃ khalu mahārāja śrutam āsīt purātanam। upavāsa-vidhau śreṣṭhā ye guṇā bharatarṣabha ॥13-109-8॥
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)
prājāpatyaṃ hyaṅgirasaṃ pṛṣṭavānasmi bhārata। yathā māṃ tvaṃ tathaivāhaṃ pṛṣṭavāṃstaṃ tapodhanam ॥13-109-9॥
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)
praśnam etaṃ mayā pṛṣṭo bhagavān agni-sambhavaḥ। upavāsa-vidhiṃ puṇyam ācaṣṭa bharata-ṛṣabha ॥13-109-10॥
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)
aṅgirā uvāca॥
Aṅgirā said.
brahmakṣatre trirātraṃ tu vihitaṃ kurunandana। dvistrirātramathaivātra nirdiṣṭaṃ puruṣarṣabha ॥13-109-11॥
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)
vaiśyaśūḍrau tu yau mohādupavāsaṃ prakurvate। trirātraṃ dvistrirātraṃ vā tayoḥ puṣṭir na vidyate॥13-109-12॥
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)
caturthabhaktakṣapaṇaṃ vaiśyaśūdre vidhīyate। trirātraṃ na tu dharmajñairvihitaṃ brahmavādibhiḥ ॥13-109-13॥
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)
pañcamyāṃ caiva ṣaṣṭhyāṃ ca paurṇamāsyāṃ ca bhārata। kṣamāvān rūpasampannaḥ śrutavāṃś caiva jāyate ॥13-109-14॥
O Bhārata, one who is endowed with forbearance, beauty, and learning is born on the fifth, sixth, and full moon days. (13-109-14)
nānapatyo bhavet prājño daridro vā kadācana। yajiṣṇuḥ pañcamīṃ ṣaṣṭhīṃ kṣaped yo bhojayet dvijān ॥13-109-15॥
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)
aṣṭamīm atha kaunteya śuklapakṣe caturdaśīm। upoṣya vyādhirahito vīryavān abhijāyate ॥13-109-16॥
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)
mārgaśīrṣaṃ tu yo māsamekabhaktena saṅkṣipet। bhojayec ca dvijān bhaktyā sa mucyed vyādhi-kilbiṣaiḥ॥13-109-17॥
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)
sarvakalyāṇasampūrṇaḥ sarvauṣadhisamanvitaḥ। kṛṣibhāgī bahudhanaḥ bahuputraś ca jāyate ॥13-109-18॥
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)
pauṣamāsaṃ tu kaunteya bhaktenaikena yaḥ kṣapet। subhago darśanīyaś ca yaśobhāgī ca jāyate ॥13-109-19॥
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)
pitṛbhakto māghamāsamekabhaktena yaḥ kṣapet। śrīmatkule jñātimadhye sa mahattvaṃ prapadyate ॥13-109-20॥
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)
bhagadaivaṃ tu yo māsamekabhaktena yaḥ kṣapet। strīṣu vallabhatāṃ yāti vaśyāś cāsya bhavanti tāḥ॥ 13-109-21॥
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)
caitraṃ tu niyato māsamekabhaktena yaḥ kṣapet. suvarṇamaṇimuktāḍhye kule mahati jāyate ॥13-109-22॥
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)
nistared ekabhaktena vaiśākhaṁ yo jitendriyaḥ। naro vā yadi vā nārī jñātīnāṁ śreṣṭhatāṁ vrajet॥13-109-23॥
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)
jyeṣṭhāmūlaṃ tu yo māsamekabhaktena saṅkṣapet। aiśvaryamatulaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ pumāṃstrī vābhijāyate॥13-109-24॥
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)
āṣāḍham-ekabhaktena sthitvā māsam-atandritaḥ। bahudhānyo bahudhhano bahuputraś-ca jāyate॥13-109-25॥
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)
śrāvaṇaṃ niyato māsamekabhaktena yaḥ kṣapet। yatra tatrābhiṣekeṇa yujyate jñātivardhanaḥ ॥13-109-26॥
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)
prauṣṭhapadaṁ tu yo māsamekāhāro bhavennaraḥ। dhanāḍhyaṁ sphītamacalamaiśvaryaṁ pratipadyate ॥13-109-27॥
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)
tathaivāśvayujaṃ māsamekabhaktena yaḥ kṣapet। prajāvānvāhanāḍhyaśca bahuputraśca jāyate ॥13-109-28॥
Likewise, whoever spends the month of Aśvayuja taking only one meal is born with many children, abundant vehicles, and much progeny. (13-109-28)
kārttikaṁ tu naro māsaṁ yaḥ kuryād ekabhojanam। śūraś ca bahubhāryaś ca kīrtimāṁś caiva jāyate ॥13-109-29॥
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)
iti māsā naravyāghra kṣapatāṃ parikīrtitāḥ. tithīnāṃ niyamā ye tu śṛṇu tān api pārthiva ॥13-109-30॥
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)
pakṣe pakṣe gate yastu bhaktam aśnāti bhārata। gavāḍhyo bahuputraś ca dīrghāyuś ca sa jāyate ॥13-109-31॥
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)
māsi māsi trirātrāṇi kṛtvā varṣāṇi dvādaśa। gaṇādhipatyaṃ prāpnoti niḥsapatnamanāvilam॥13-109-32॥
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)
ete tu niyamāḥ sarve kartavyāḥ śarado daśa. dve cānye bharataśreṣṭha pravṛttimanuvartatā ॥13-109-33॥
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)
yastu prātas tathā sāyaṁ bhuñjāno nāntarā pibet। ahiṁsānirato nityaṁ juhvāno jātavedasam ॥13-109-34॥
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)
ṣaḍbhiḥ sa varṣair nṛpate sidhyate nātra saṃśayaḥ। agniṣṭomasya yajñasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ॥13-109-35॥
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)
adhivāse so'psarasāṃ nṛtya-gīta-vinā-adite. tapta-kāñcana-varṇābhaṃ vimānam adhirohati ॥13-109-36॥
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)
pūrṇaṃ varṣasahasraṃ tu brahmaloke mahīyate। tatkṣayādiha cāgamya māhātmyaṃ pratipadyate॥13-109-37॥
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)
yastu saṁvatsaraṁ pūrṇamekāhāro bhavennaraḥ। atirātrasya yajñasya sa phalaṁ samupāśnute॥13-109-38॥
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)
daśavarṣasahasrāṇi svarge ca sa mahīyate। tatkṣayādiha cāgamya māhātmyaṃ pratipadyate ॥13-109-39॥
He is honored in heaven for ten thousand years, and after that period ends, when he comes here, he attains greatness. (13-109-39)
yastu saṁvatsaraṁ pūrṇaṁ caturthaṁ bhaktamaśnute। ahiṁsānirato nityaṁ satyavāṅniyatendriyaḥ ॥13-109-40॥
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)
vājapeyasya yajñasya phalaṃ vai samupāśnute. triṁśad-varṣa-sahasrāṇi svarge ca sa mahīyate ॥13-109-41॥
He who performs the Vājapeya sacrifice indeed attains its fruit. He is honored in heaven for thirty thousand years. (13-109-41)
ṣaṣṭhe kāle tu kaunteya naraḥ saṃvatsaraṃ kṣapet। aśvamedhasya yajñasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ ॥13-109-42॥
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)
cakravākaprayuktena vimānena sa gacchati। catvāriṃśatsahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ divi modate ॥13-109-43॥
He travels by an aerial vehicle driven by chakravāka birds and enjoys forty thousand years in heaven. (13-109-43)
aṣṭamena tu bhaktena jīvan saṃvatsaraṃ nṛpa। gavāmayasya yajñasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ ॥13-109-44॥
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)
haṁsasārasayuktena vimānena sa gacchati। pañcāśataṁ sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ divi modate॥13-109-45॥
He departs in a vehicle drawn by swans and cranes. In heaven he enjoys happiness for fifty thousand years. (13-109-45)
pakṣe pakṣe gate rājanyo'śnīyād varṣam eva tu। ṣaṇmāsānaśanaṃ tasya bhagavān aṅgirābravīt॥ ṣaṣṭiṃ varṣasahasrāṇi divam āvasate ca saḥ॥13-109-46॥
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)
vīṇānāṃ vallakīnām ca veṇūnām ca viśāṃ pate। sughoṣair madhuraiḥ śabdaiḥ suptaḥ sa pratibodhyate॥13-109-47॥
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)
saṃvatsaram iha ekaṃ tu māsi māsi pibet payaḥ। phalaṃ viśvajitas tāta prāpnoti sa naro nṛpa॥13-109-48॥
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)
siṃhavyāghraprayuktena vimānena sa gacchati। saptatiṃ ca sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ divi modate ॥13-109-49॥
He travels in a celestial vehicle drawn by lions and tigers. He enjoys seventy thousand years in heaven. (13-109-49)
māsād ūrdhvaṃ naravyāghra nopavāso vidhīyate। vidhiṃ tv anaśanasya āhuḥ pārtha dharmavido janāḥ॥13-109-50॥
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)
anārto vyādhirahito gacched anaśanaṁ tu yaḥ। pade pade yajñaphalaṁ sa prāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ॥13-109-51॥
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)
divaṁ haṁsaprayuktena vimānena sa gacchati। śataṁ cāpsarasaḥ kanyā ramayantyapi taṁ naram ॥13-109-52॥
He goes to heaven in an aerial chariot drawn by swans, and a hundred Apsaras maidens also delight that man. (13-109-52)
ārto vā vyādhito vāpi gacched anaśanaṃ tu yaḥ। śataṃ varṣasahasrāṇāṃ modate divi sa prabho ॥ kāñcīnūpuraśabdena suptaś caiva prabodhyate ॥13-109-53॥
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)
sahasra-haṁsa-saṁyukte vimāne soma-varcasi। sa gatvā strī-śata-ākīrṇe ramate bharata-ṛṣabha ॥13-109-54॥
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)
kṣīṇasyāpyāyanaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ kṣatasya kṣatarohaṇam। vyādhitasyauṣadhagrāmaḥ kruddhasya ca prasādanam ॥13-109-55॥
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)
duḥkhitasya artham anābhyām dravyāṇāṃ pratipādanam। na ca ete svargakāmasya rocante sukhamedhasaḥ॥13-109-56॥
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)
ataḥ sa kāmasaṁyukto vimāne hemasaṁnibhe। ramate strīśatākīrṇe puruṣo'laṅkṛtaḥ śubhe ॥13-109-57॥
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)
svasthaḥ saphalasaṅkalpaḥ sukhī vigatakalmaṣaḥ। anaśnan deham utsṛjya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ॥13-109-58॥
The self-possessed, resolute, happy, and pure man, without eating and having abandoned the body, attains the fruit. (13-109-58)
bālasūryapratīkāśe vimāne hemavarcasi। vaiḍūryamuktākhacite vīṇāmurajanādite ॥13-109-59॥
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)
patākādīpikākīrṇe divyaghaṇṭānināditē। strīsahasrānucarite sa naraḥ sukhmēdhate ॥13-109-60॥
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)
yāvanti romakūpāṇi tasya gātreṣu pāṇḍava। tāvantyeva sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ divi modate ॥13-109-61॥
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)
nāsti vedāt-paraṃ śāstraṃ nāsti mātṛ-samo guruḥ। na dharmāt-paramo lābhas tapo nānaśanāt-paramam ॥13-109-62॥
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)
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ paraṁ nāsti pāvanaṁ divi ceha ca। upavāsais tathā tulyaṁ tapaḥkarma na vidyate॥13-109-63॥
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)
upoṣya vidhivad devās tridivaṃ pratipedire। ṛṣayaś ca parāṃ siddhim upavāsair avāpnuvan ॥13-109-64॥
Having properly observed fasts, the gods reached heaven, and the sages too attained the highest perfection through fasting. (13-109-64)
divyaṃ varṣasahasraṃ hi viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā। kṣāntam ekena bhaktena tena vipratvam āgataḥ॥13-109-65॥
Indeed, Viśvāmitra, the intelligent one, endured a divine thousand years with single-minded devotion, and thus he attained Brāhmaṇa-hood. (13-109-65)
cyavano jamadagnīś ca vasiṣṭho gautamo bhṛguḥ। sarva eva divaṃ prāptāḥ kṣamāvanto maharṣayaḥ॥13-109-66॥
Cyavana, Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, and Bhṛgu—all these great sages endowed with forbearance have reached heaven. (13-109-66)
idamaṅgirasā pūrvaṃ maharṣibhyaḥ pradarśitam। yaḥ pradarśayate nityaṃ na sa duḥkham avāpnute ॥13-109-67॥
This was previously shown by Aṅgiras to the great sages. Whoever always demonstrates this will not encounter sorrow. (13-109-67)
imaṁ tu kaunteya yathākramam vidhiṁ; pravartitaṁ hyaṅgirasā maharṣiṇā। paṭheta yo vai śṛṇuyācca nityadā; na vidyate tasya narasya kilbiṣam ॥13-109-68॥
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)
vimucyate cāpi sa sarvasaṅkaraiḥ; na cāsya doṣairabhibhūyate manaḥ. viyonijānāṃ ca vijānate rutaṃ; dhruvāṃ ca kīrtiṃ labhate narottamaḥ ॥13-109-69॥
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)
