Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 7
महर्षिरात्मवान्पूर्वमापस्तंबो द्विजाग्रणीः । उपावसन्सदा रम्भो बभूव भगवांस्तदा
maharṣirātmavānpūrvamāpastaṃbo dvijāgraṇīḥ | upāvasansadā rambho babhūva bhagavāṃstadā
فيما مضى كان المهرشي آبستَمبا، المتحكّم في نفسه والمتقدّم بين ذوي الولادتين، مواظبًا على الصوم دائمًا؛ وفي ذلك الحين غدا متلألئًا جليلًا ببركة رياضته.
Īśvara (Śiva) (continuing the narration)
Listener: Devī (within the frame)
Scene: Āpastamba, a venerable sage, sits in austere posture, lean from fasting, surrounded by a simple hermitage; his body emits a calm radiance signifying tapas-tejas.
FAQs
Austerity and self-restraint—especially fasting—are portrayed as producing spiritual power and sanctity.
The broader narrative belongs to Prabhāsa Kṣetra Māhātmya, even as the verse focuses on Āpastamba’s discipline.
Upavāsa (fasting/observing a fast) is highlighted as Āpastamba’s sustained practice.