Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 19
प्रहस्य प्रत्युवाचेदं ब्राह्मणं श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । मया वर्षसहस्रं तु निराहारं तपः कृतम्
prahasya pratyuvācedaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ ślakṣṇayā girā | mayā varṣasahasraṃ tu nirāhāraṃ tapaḥ kṛtam
Souriant, il répondit à ce brāhmaṇa d’une voix douce : «Pendant mille ans, j’ai accompli l’ascèse sans nourriture.»
Mahādeva (Śiva) in brāhmaṇa disguise
Tirtha: Revā-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: The brāhmaṇa-formed Mahādeva smiles and speaks gently, revealing an astonishing austerity: a thousand years without food; the contrast between mild demeanor and immense tapas is central.
FAQs
Austerity (tapas) is immense, yet the narrative often turns to show that compassion and dharma in action stand alongside ascetic power.
The Revā Khaṇḍa tīrtha milieu frames the exchange, presenting the region as a stage where tapas and grace become visible.
Nirāhāra (fasting/abstaining from food) is mentioned as an austerity, though not prescribed here as a rule for the listener.