महर्षिरात्मवान्पूर्वमापस्तंबो द्विजाग्रणीः । उपावसन्सदा रम्भो बभूव भगवांस्तदा
maharṣirātmavānpūrvamāpastaṃbo dvijāgraṇīḥ | upāvasansadā rambho babhūva bhagavāṃstadā
পূৰ্বতে মহর্ষি আপস্তম্ব—আত্মসংযমী আৰু দ্বিজসকলৰ অগ্ৰগণ্য—সদায় উপবাসত নিবিষ্ট আছিল; সেই তপস্যাৰে তেতিয়া তেওঁ তেজস্বী আৰু ভগৱৎসম পূজনীয় হ’ল।
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.
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.