13.109
The procedure of fasting.
Yudhishthira said.
O grandfather, among all the castes and foreigners, we do not know what this intention and the reason for fasting are. (13-109-1)
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)
O king, tell (me) the rule of all fasts, and what state is obtained by one devoted to fasting. (13-109-3)
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)
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)
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 said.
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)
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)
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)
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 said.
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)
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)
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)
O Bhārata, one who is endowed with forbearance, beauty, and learning is born on the fifth, sixth, and full moon days. (13-109-14)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Likewise, whoever spends the month of Aśvayuja taking only one meal is born with many children, abundant vehicles, and much progeny. (13-109-28)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
He is honored in heaven for ten thousand years, and after that period ends, when he comes here, he attains greatness. (13-109-39)
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)
He who performs the Vājapeya sacrifice indeed attains its fruit. He is honored in heaven for thirty thousand years. (13-109-41)
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)
He travels by an aerial vehicle driven by chakravāka birds and enjoys forty thousand years in heaven. (13-109-43)
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)
He departs in a vehicle drawn by swans and cranes. In heaven he enjoys happiness for fifty thousand years. (13-109-45)
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)
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)
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)
He travels in a celestial vehicle drawn by lions and tigers. He enjoys seventy thousand years in heaven. (13-109-49)
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)
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)
He goes to heaven in an aerial chariot drawn by swans, and a hundred Apsaras maidens also delight that man. (13-109-52)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The self-possessed, resolute, happy, and pure man, without eating and having abandoned the body, attains the fruit. (13-109-58)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Having properly observed fasts, the gods reached heaven, and the sages too attained the highest perfection through fasting. (13-109-64)
Indeed, Viśvāmitra, the intelligent one, endured a divine thousand years with single-minded devotion, and thus he attained Brāhmaṇa-hood. (13-109-65)
Cyavana, Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, and Bhṛgu—all these great sages endowed with forbearance have reached heaven. (13-109-66)
This was previously shown by Aṅgiras to the great sages. Whoever always demonstrates this will not encounter sorrow. (13-109-67)
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)
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)
