Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 42
निराहारः पंचतपा वर्षायुतमभूत्किल । ततः स्वदेहादुत्कृत्त्य कर्षंकर्षं दिनेदिने
nirāhāraḥ paṃcatapā varṣāyutamabhūtkila | tataḥ svadehādutkṛttya karṣaṃkarṣaṃ dinedine
In der Tat blieb er ohne Nahrung und praktizierte die Askese der „fünf Feuer“ zehntausend Jahre lang. Dann schnitt er Tag für Tag einen Teil von seinem eigenen Körper ab – jeweils ein Karṣa.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) narrating to the sages (deduced)
Type: cave
Scene: A gaunt ascetic-daitya amid the pañcatapa: four blazing fires at the cardinal directions and the sun overhead; he stands or sits unmoving, emaciated from fasting; time is suggested by layered seasons passing.
FAQs
The Purāṇa underscores the formidable power of sustained austerity, while implicitly warning that power gained without dhārmic intent can disturb cosmic balance.
The tapas is performed at the Pāriyātra mountain cave, portrayed as an efficacious ascetic setting.
Fasting (nirāhāra) and pañcatapas are mentioned; the verse also depicts severe self-mortification (not a general dharma prescription).