Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 160
तिस्रो रात्रीर्न शक्तश्चेदेवं माहेश्वरो भवेत् । संयावकृशरामांसं नात्मानमुपसाधयेत्
tisro rātrīrna śaktaścedevaṃ māheśvaro bhavet | saṃyāvakṛśarāmāṃsaṃ nātmānamupasādhayet
S’il n’est pas capable d’observer la discipline durant trois nuits, qu’il soit néanmoins, de cette manière, tenu pour un Māheśvara. Mais qu’il ne se complaise pas en mets riches, tels que le saṃyāva, le kṛśarā et la viande.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A devotee declines rich dishes (sweet saṃyāva, kṛśarā, meat) offered by a well-meaning host, choosing a simple meal; a subtle aura of Śiva devotion marks him as Māheśvara.
FAQs
Austerity should be sincere and moderate—adapt practice to capacity, but avoid self-indulgence.
No tīrtha is named; the instruction concerns general Śaiva vrata and diet.
If unable to keep a three-night observance, follow a permissible alternative, while avoiding indulgent foods like sweets, kṛśarā, and meat.