n infancy, receives suck from her."'"[488]

SECTION CVI

"'Yudhishthira said, "The disposition is seen, O grandsire, in all the
orders of men, including the very Mlechchhas, of observing fasts. The
reason, however, of this is not known to us. It has been heard by us that
only Brahmanas and Kshatriyas should observe the vow of fasts. How, O
grandsire, are the other orders to be taken as earning any merit by the
observance of fasts? How have vows and fasts come to be observed by
persons of all orders, O king? What is that end to which one devoted to
the observance of fasts attains? It has been said that fasts are highly
meritorious and that fasts are a great refuge. O prince of men, what is
the fruit that is earned in this world by the man that observe fasts? By
what means is one cleansed of one's sins? By what means doth one acquire
righteousness? By what means, O best of the Bharatas, doth one succeed in
acquiring heaven and merit? 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 obtaining such objects as lead to happiness?"'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Unto Kunti's son by the deity of Dharma, who
was conversant with every duty and who said so unto him, Santanu's son,
Bhishma, who was acquainted with every duty, answered in the following
words.'

"'Bhishma said, "In former days, O king, I heard of these high merits, O
chief of Bharata's race, as attaching to the observance of fasts
according to the ordinance. I had, O Bharata, asked the Rishi Angiras of
high ascetic merit, the very same questions which thou hast asked me
today. Questioned by me thus, the illustrious Rishi, who sprang from the
sacrificial fire, answered me even thus in respect of the observance of
fasts according to the ordinance.

"'"Angiras said, 'As regards Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, fasts for three
nights at a stretch are ordained for them, O delighter of the Kurus.
Indeed, O chief of men, a fast for one night, for two nights, and for
three nights, may be observed by them. (They should never go beyond three
nights). As regards Vaisyas and Sudras, the duration of fasts prescribed
for them is a single night. If, from folly, they observe fasts for two or
three nights, such fasts never lead to their advancement. Indeed, for
Vaisyas and Sudras, fasts for two nights have been ordained (on certain
special occasions). Fasts for three nights, however, have not been laid
down