Bhishma said People really consider fast, measured by months or fortnights or days, as penance. The good, however, hold that such is not penance. On the other hand, fast is an obstacle to the acquirement of the knowledge of the Soul.
भीष्म उवाच मासपक्षोपवासेन मन्यन्ते यत् तपो जनाः। आत्मतन्त्रोपघातस्तु न तपस्तत्सतां मतम्॥