Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 43
गृहीत्वा नियमं तोयबिंदुं वर्षशतेऽग्निवत् । ततो वर्षशते याते जपतस्तस्य भारत
gṛhītvā niyamaṃ toyabiṃduṃ varṣaśate'gnivat | tato varṣaśate yāte japatastasya bhārata
Observant un vœu austère—ne prenant qu’une goutte d’eau—il demeura tel un feu durant cent ans. Et lorsque ces cent ans furent écoulés, tandis qu’il poursuivait son japa, ô Bhārata, …
Narrative voice addressing 'Bhārata' (Maheshvara Khanda context: Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa relating events)
Listener: Bhārata
Scene: The ascetic remains unmoving for a hundred years, sustained by a mere drop of water, surrounded by a subtle aura of heat like a steady flame; seasons pass around him—rain, sun, and wind—while his japa continues.
FAQs
Long, disciplined austerity (niyama) combined with japa is presented as a powerful path to spiritual fruition.
The tīrtha context continues from the surrounding narrative, but this verse itself focuses on the vow and duration rather than naming the site.
A niyama of consuming only a drop of water (toyabindu) while maintaining japa for an extended period.