Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां म्लेच्छानां च पितामह उपवासे मतिरियं कारणं च न विद्महे
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said O grandfather, all the orders of men, including the very Mlechchhas, are naturally disposed to observe fasts. We, however, do not know the reason thereof.
ब्रह्मक्षत्रेण नियमाश्चर्तव्या इति नः श्रुतम् उपवासे कथं तेषां कृत्यमस्ति पितामह
M. N. Dutt: We have heard that only Brahmanas and Kshatriyas should observe the vow of fasts. How, O grandfather, are the other castes to be taken as acquiring any merit by the observance of fasts?
नियमं चोपवासानां सर्वेषां ब्रूहि पार्थिव अवाप्नोति गतिं कां च उपवासपरायणः
M. N. Dutt: How have vows and fasts come to be observed by persons of all castes, O king? What is that end which one devoted to the observance of fasts, acquires?
उपवासः परं पुण्यमुपवासः परायणम् उपोष्येह नरश्रेष्ठ किं फलं प्रतिपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: It has been said that fasts are greatly meritorious and that fasts are a great refuge. O king, what is the fruit that is acquired in this world by the man who observes fasts?
अधर्मान्मुच्यते केन धर्ममाप्नोति वै कथम् स्वर्गं पुण्यं च लभते कथं भरतसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: By what means is one purged of his sins? By what means does one acquire virtue. By what means, O best of the Bharatas, does one succeed in acquiring Heaven and merit.
उपोष्य चापि किं तेन प्रदेयं स्यान्नराधिप धर्मेण च सुखानर्थाँल्लभेद्येन ब्रवीहि तम्
M. N. Dutt: After having observed a fast, what should one give away, O king? O tell me, what those duties are by which one may succeed in acquiring objects leading to happiness.
वैशंपायन उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणं कौन्तेयं धर्मज्ञं धर्मतत्त्ववित् धर्मपुत्रमिदं वाक्यं भीष्मः शांतनवोऽब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Kunti's son begotten by the deity of Dharma, who was conversant with every duty and who said so to him, Shantanu's son, Bhishma, who knew every duty, answered in the following words.
इदं खलु महाराज श्रुतमासीत्पुरातनम् उपवासविधौ श्रेष्ठा ये गुणा भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Formerly, O king, I heard of these high merits O chief of Bharata's race, as belonging to the observance of fasts according to the ordinance.
प्राजापत्यं ह्यङ्गिरसं पृष्टवानस्मि भारत यथा मां त्वं तथैवाहं पृष्टवांस्तं तपोधनम्
M. N. Dutt: I had, O Bharata, asked the Rishi Angirasa of great ascetic merit, the very same questions which you have asked me today.
प्रश्नमेतं मया पृष्टो भगवानग्निसंभवः उपवासविधिं पुण्यमाचष्ट भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Accosted by me thus, the illustrious Rishi, who originated from the sacrificial fire, answered me even thus about the observance of fasts according to the ordinance.
अङ्गिरा उवाच ब्रह्मक्षत्रे त्रिरात्रं तु विहितं कुरुनन्दन द्विस्त्रिरात्रमथैवात्र निर्दिष्टं पुरुषर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Angirasa said Fasts for three nights together, ordained for Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, O delighter of the Kurus. Indeed, O king, a fast for one night, for two nights, and for three nights may be observed by them.
वैश्यशूद्रौ तु यौ मोहादुपवासं प्रकुर्वते त्रिरात्रं द्विस्त्रिरात्रं वा तयोः पुष्टिर्न विद्यते
M. N. Dutt: Fast for one night is ordained for Vaishyas and Shudras. If they observe fasts for two or three nights by mistake, such fasts never bring on their advancement.
चतुर्थभक्तक्षपणं वैश्यशूद्रे विधीयते त्रिरात्रं न तु धर्मज्ञैर्विहितं ब्रह्मवादिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Fasts for two nights have been ordained for Vaishyas and Shudras (on certain special occasions). Fasts for three nights, however, have not been ordained for them by persons knowing duties.
पञ्चम्यां चैव षष्ठ्यां च पौर्णमास्यां च भारत क्षमावान्रूपसंपन्नः श्रुतवांश्चैव जायते
AI Translation: And on the fifth and sixth days, and on the full moon day, O descendant of Bharata, He becomes forgiving, endowed with beauty, and learned.
Supplementary Passages:
13.109.14 After 14ab, V1 B Dn D5.8.10 ins.: *526 उपोष्य एकभक्तेन नियतात्मा जितेन्द्रियः
नानपत्यो भवेत्प्राज्ञो दरिद्रो वा कदाचन यजिष्णुः पञ्चमीं षष्ठीं क्षपेद्यो भोजयेद्द्विजान्
AI Translation: He will never be without a son, nor will he ever be poor. One who observes the fifth and sixth days of the lunar month and feeds Brahmins,
अष्टमीमथ कौन्तेय शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्दशीम् उपोष्य व्याधिरहितो वीर्यवानभिजायते
AI Translation: O son of Kunti, one who fasts on the eighth day of the bright fortnight and on the fourteenth day becomes free from disease and is born with vigor.
मार्गशीर्षं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन संक्षिपेत् भोजयेच्च द्विजान्भक्त्या स मुच्येद्व्याधिकिल्बिषैः
AI Translation: One who observes the month of Mārgasiṃha with a single meal and feeds brahmins with devotion is freed from diseases and sins.
सर्वकल्याणसंपूर्णः सर्वौषधिसमन्वितः कृषिभागी बहुधनो बहुपुत्रश्च जायते
AI Translation: He is endowed with all auspiciousness, accompanied by all medicines, He becomes a farmer, wealthy, and having many sons.
पौषमासं तु कौन्तेय भक्तेनैकेन यः क्षपेत् सुभगो दर्शनीयश्च यशोभागी च जायते
M. N. Dutt: That man, O son of Kunti, who passes the whole month of Pausha abstaining every day from one of two meals, becomes a gainer of good fortune and pleasant features and great fame.
पितृभक्तो माघमासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत् श्रीमत्कुले ज्ञातिमध्ये स महत्त्वं प्रपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the whole month of Magha, abstaining every day from one of the two mcals, is born in a high family and attains to a position of eminence among his kinsmen.
भगदैवं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत् स्त्रीषु वल्लभतां याति वश्याश्चास्य भवन्ति ताः
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the whole month of Bhagadaivata, confining himself every day to only one meal, becomes a favourite with women who, indeed, readily acknowledge his sway.
चैत्रं तु नियतो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत् सुवर्णमणिमुक्ताढ्ये कुले महति जायते
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the whole of the month of Chaitra, taking every day one meal only, is born in high family and becomes rich in gold, gems, and pearls.
निस्तरेदेकभक्तेन वैशाखं यो जितेन्द्रियः नरो वा यदि वा नारी ज्ञातीनां श्रेष्ठतां व्रजेत्
M. N. Dutt: The person, whether male or female, who passes the month of Baishakha, taking himself or herself every day one meal, and keeping his or her senses under restraint, succeeds in attaining to a position of eminence among kinsmen.
ज्येष्ठामूलं तु यो मासमेकभक्तेन संक्षपेत् ऐश्वर्यमतुलं श्रेष्ठं पुमान्स्त्री वाभिजायते
M. N. Dutt: The person who passes the month of Jaishthya taking himself every day one meal, succeeds in acquiring a position of eminence and great riches. If a woman, she reaps the same reward.
आषाढमेकभक्तेन स्थित्वा मासमतन्द्रितः बहुधान्यो बहुधनो बहुपुत्रश्च जायते
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the month of Ashada, taking himself one meal a day and with senses steadily concentrated upon his duties, becomes possessed of much corn, great riches and large progeny.
श्रावणं नियतो मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत् यत्र तत्राभिषेकेण युज्यते ज्ञातिवर्धनः
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the month of Sravana, taking himself one meal a day receives the honors of Abhisheka wherever he may happen to live, and attains to a position of eminence among kinsmen whom he supports.
Supplementary Passages:
13.109.26 After 26ab, T G ins.: *527 रूपद्रविणसंपन्नः सुखी भवति नित्यशः For 26cd, M1-3 subst.: *528 धनवान्कीर्तिमांश्चैव कुले महति जायते
प्रौष्ठपदं तु यो मासमेकाहारो भवेन्नरः धनाढ्यं स्फीतमचलमैश्वर्यं प्रतिपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: That man who takes himself only one meal a day for the whole month of Proshthapada, becomes possessed of great riches.
तथैवाश्वयुजं मासमेकभक्तेन यः क्षपेत् प्रजावान्वाहनाढ्यश्च बहुपुत्रश्च जायते
M. N. Dutt: The man who passes the month of Ashvin, taking himself one meal a day, becomes pure in soul and body, possessed of many animals and vehicles and large progeny.
कार्त्तिकं तु नरो मासं यः कुर्यादेकभोजनम् शूरश्च बहुभार्यश्च कीर्तिमांश्चैव जायते
M. N. Dutt: He who passes the month of Kartika, taking himself one meal every day, becomes possessed of heroism, many wives and great fame.
इति मासा नरव्याघ्र क्षपतां परिकीर्तिताः तिथीनां नियमा ये तु शृणु तानपि पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: I have now told you, O king, what the fruits are that are obtained by men by observing fasts for the two and ten months in detail. Listen now, O king, to me as I tell you what the rules are about the lunar days.
पक्षे पक्षे गते यस्तु भक्तमश्नाति भारत गवाढ्यो बहुपुत्रश्च दीर्घायुश्च स जायते
M. N. Dutt: The man who, abstaining from it every day, takes rice at the termination of every fortnight becomes possessed of a great many kine, a large progeny, and a long life.
मासि मासि त्रिरात्राणि कृत्वा वर्षाणि द्वादश गणाधिपत्यं प्राप्नोति निःसपत्नमनाविलम्
M. N. Dutt: He whọ observes fasts for three nights every month and acts thus for two and ten years, acquires a position of eminence among his kinsmen and friends, without a rival to contest his claim and without any anxiety caused by any one trying to rise to the same height.
एते तु नियमाः सर्वे कर्तव्याः शरदो दश द्वे चान्ये भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रवृत्तिमनुवर्तता
M. N. Dutt: These rules which I speak of, O chief of Bharata's race, should be observed for twelve years. Be disposed to do it.
यस्तु प्रातस्तथा सायं भुञ्जानो नान्तरा पिबेत् अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्
AI Translation: One who eats in the morning and evening, not drinking in between, Always devoted to non-violence, offering oblations to the knower of all.
षड्भिः स वर्षैर्नृपते सिध्यते नात्र संशयः अग्निष्टोमस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
AI Translation: In six years, O king, it is accomplished, there is no doubt. A man attains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice.
अधिवासे सोऽप्सरसां नृत्यगीतविनादिते तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णाभं विमानमधिरोहति
AI Translation: He is welcomed by the Apsarās, who sing and play music, and ascends to a chariot that is the color of heated gold.
Supplementary Passages:
13.109.36 After 36ab, V1 B Dn D5.8.10 ins.: *529 रमते स्त्रीसहस्राढ्ये सुकृती विरजा नरः
पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु ब्रह्मलोके महीयते तत्क्षयादिह चागम्य माहात्म्यं प्रतिपद्यते
AI Translation: For a full thousand years he is honored in the world of Brahmā. And when that is exhausted, he comes here and attains greatness.
यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णमेकाहारो भवेन्नरः अतिरात्रस्य यज्ञस्य स फलं समुपाश्नुते
AI Translation: One who eats only one meal a day for a full year attains the fruit of the Atiratra sacrifice.
दशवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे च स महीयते तत्क्षयादिह चागम्य माहात्म्यं प्रतिपद्यते
AI Translation: For ten thousand years he is honored in heaven, and when that is exhausted, he comes here and attains greatness.
यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णं चतुर्थं भक्तमश्नुते अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं सत्यवाङ्नियतेन्द्रियः
AI Translation: One who eats only once every four days for a full year, who is always devoted to non-violence, who speaks the truth, and who has controlled senses,
वाजपेयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं वै समुपाश्नुते त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे च स महीयते
AI Translation: He attains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. For thirty thousand years he is honored in heaven.
षष्ठे काले तु कौन्तेय नरः संवत्सरं क्षपेत् अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
AI Translation: O son of Kunti, a man who spends six months in this way attains the fruit of a horse sacrifice.
चक्रवाकप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते
M. N. Dutt: Such a man rides a chariot drawn by lions and tigers. He lives in Heaven for seventy thousand years in the enjoyment of every sort of happiness.
अष्टमेन तु भक्तेन जीवन्संवत्सरं नृप गवामयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
AI Translation: By performing the eighth part of the Gavamayana sacrifice, a man obtains the fruit of the Gavamayana sacrifice.
हंससारसयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति पञ्चाशतं सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते
M. N. Dutt: Such a man rides a chariot drawn by lions and tigers. He lives in Heaven for seventy thousand years in the enjoyment of every sort of happiness.
पक्षे पक्षे गते राजन्योऽश्नीयाद्वर्षमेव तु षण्मासानशनं तस्य भगवानङ्गिराब्रवीत् षष्टिं वर्षसहस्राणि दिवमावसते च सः
AI Translation: O king, one should eat only in alternate fortnights for a year. The Blessed One Angiras said that fasting for six months is for him. He dwells in heaven for sixty thousand years
वीणानां वल्लकीनां च वेणूनां च विशां पते सुघोषैर्मधुरैः शब्दैः सुप्तः स प्रतिबोध्यते
AI Translation: O lord of the earth, he is awakened by the sweet sounds of lutes, flutes and veṇus.
संवत्सरमिहैकं तु मासि मासि पिबेत्पयः फलं विश्वजितस्तात प्राप्नोति स नरो नृप
AI Translation: A man who drinks milk for a year, a month at a time, obtains the fruit of the Viśvajit sacrifice, O king.
सिंहव्याघ्रप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति सप्ततिं च सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते
M. N. Dutt: Such a man rides a chariot drawn by lions and tigers. He lives in Heaven for seventy thousand years in the enjoyment of every sort of happiness.
मासादूर्ध्वं नरव्याघ्र नोपवासो विधीयते विधिं त्वनशनस्याहुः पार्थ धर्मविदो जनाः
M. N. Dutt: No fast for more than a month, O king, has been ordained. Even this, O son of Pritha, is the ordinance about fasts that has been declared by sages conversant with duties.
अनार्तो व्याधिरहितो गच्छेदनशनं तु यः पदे पदे यज्ञफलं स प्राप्नोति न संशयः
M. N. Dutt: That man who, unafflicted by discase and free from every malady, observes a fast, indeed acquires, at every step the merits of Sacrifices.
दिवं हंसप्रयुक्तेन विमानेन स गच्छति शतं चाप्सरसः कन्या रमयन्त्यपि तं नरम्
AI Translation: He goes to heaven in an aerial chariot drawn by swans. A hundred maidens of the Apsarās also delight that man.
आर्तो वा व्याधितो वापि गच्छेदनशनं तु यः शतं वर्षसहस्राणां मोदते दिवि स प्रभो काञ्चीनूपुरशब्देन सुप्तश्चैव प्रबोध्यते
M. N. Dutt: He is roused from his bed every morning by the sound of the Kanchis and the Nupuras of those ladies.
सहस्रहंससंयुक्ते विमाने सोमवर्चसि स गत्वा स्त्रीशताकीर्णे रमते भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Such a person rides on a car drawn by a thousand swans. Living, again, in a region teeming with hundreds of the most beautiful ladies, he passes his time in great joy.
क्षीणस्याप्यायनं दृष्टं क्षतस्य क्षतरोहणम् व्याधितस्यौषधग्रामः क्रुद्धस्य च प्रसादनम्
AI Translation: It is seen that even the exhausted are revived, the wounded are healed, the sick are treated with medicines, and the angry are appeased.
दुःखितस्यार्थमानाभ्यां द्रव्याणां प्रतिपादनम् न चैते स्वर्गकामस्य रोचन्ते सुखमेधसः
AI Translation: Giving of goods to the distressed by means of wealth and honour And these do not appeal to one who desires heaven, who is desirous of happiness.
Supplementary Passages:
13.109.56 For 56cd, S (T1 om.) subst.: *530 न चैतद्रोचते तेषां ये धनैः सुखमेधिनः
अतः स कामसंयुक्तो विमाने हेमसंनिभे रमते स्त्रीशताकीर्णे पुरुषोऽलंकृतः शुभे
M. N. Dutt: Leaving this world, where he suffers all sorts of privations, he proceeds to Heaven and rides on cars bedecked with gold, his body adorned with all sorts of ornaments. There in the midst of hundreds of beautiful ladies, he enjoys all sorts of pleasure and happiness, cleansed of every sin.
स्वस्थः सफलसंकल्पः सुखी विगतकल्मषः अनश्नन्देहमुत्सृज्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, abstaining from food and enjoyments in this world, he renounces this body and ascends to Heaven as the fruit of his penances, There purged of all his sins, he enjoys health and happiness and all his wishes become crowned with success.
बालसूर्यप्रतीकाशे विमाने हेमवर्चसि वैडूर्यमुक्ताखचिते वीणामुरजनादिते
AI Translation: In a chariot shining like the rising sun, adorned with lapis lazuli and pearls, resounding with the sound of lutes and drums,
पताकादीपिकाकीर्णे दिव्यघण्टानिनादिते स्त्रीसहस्रानुचरिते स नरः सुखमेधते
AI Translation: In a place adorned with flags and lamps, resounding with divine bells, followed by thousands of women, that man finds happiness.
यावन्ति रोमकूपाणि तस्य गात्रेषु पाण्डव तावन्त्येव सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते
M. N. Dutt: Such a person enjoys all sorts of happiness in Heaven for as many years as there are pores in his body.
नास्ति वेदात्परं शास्त्रं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरुः न धर्मात्परमो लाभस्तपो नानशनात्परम्
M. N. Dutt: There is no Shastra superior to the Veda. There is no person more worthy of respect than the mother. There is no acquisition superior to that of virtue, and no penance superior to fast.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति पावनं दिवि चेह च उपवासैस्तथा तुल्यं तपःकर्म न विद्यते
M. N. Dutt: There is nothing, more sacred, in Heaven or Earth, than Brahmanas. Similarly there is no penance that is superior to the observance of fasts.
उपोष्य विधिवद्देवास्त्रिदिवं प्रतिपेदिरे ऋषयश्च परां सिद्धिमुपवासैरवाप्नुवन्
M. N. Dutt: It was by fasts that the celestials have succeeded in becoming dwellers of Heaven. It is by fasts that the Rishis have acquired high success.
दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं हि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता क्षान्तमेकेन भक्तेन तेन विप्रत्वमागतः
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra passed a thousand celestial years, taking one meal a day, and as the consequence thereof acquired the status of a Brahmana.
च्यवनो जमदग्निश्च वसिष्ठो गौतमो भृगुः सर्व एव दिवं प्राप्ताः क्षमावन्तो महर्षयः
M. N. Dutt: Chyavana, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, Gautama and Bhriguall these great Rishis gifted with the virtue of forgivenesshave attained to Heaven through the observance of fasts.
इदमङ्गिरसा पूर्वं महर्षिभ्यः प्रदर्शितम् यः प्रदर्शयते नित्यं न स दुःखमवाप्नुते
M. N. Dutt: Forinerly Angirasa declared so to the great Rishis. The man who teaches another the merit of fasts, has never to suffer any sort of misery.
इमं तु कौन्तेय यथाक्रमं विधिं; प्रवर्तितं ह्यङ्गिरसा महर्षिणा पठेत यो वै शृणुयाच्च नित्यदा; न विद्यते तस्य नरस्य किल्बिषम्
M. N. Dutt: The ordinances about fasts, in their due order, O son of Kunti, have originated from the great Rishi Angirasa. The man who daily reads these ordinances or hears them read, becomes freed from all sins.
विमुच्यते चापि स सर्वसंकरै;र्न चास्य दोषैरभिभूयते मनः वियोनिजानां च विजानते रुतं; ध्रुवां च कीर्तिं लभते नरोत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Not only is such a person freed from every calamity, but his mind rises above all sorts of shortcomings. Such a person succeeds in understanding the sounds of all creatures other than human, and acquiring eternal fame, becomes the foremost of men.