Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 160
तिस्रो रात्रीर्न शक्तश्चेदेवं माहेश्वरो भवेत् । संयावकृशरामांसं नात्मानमुपसाधयेत्
tisro rātrīrna śaktaścedevaṃ māheśvaro bhavet | saṃyāvakṛśarāmāṃsaṃ nātmānamupasādhayet
तीन रात्री हा नियम पाळणे शक्य नसेल तरीही अशा प्रकारे तो माहेश्वर मानला जाऊ शकतो. पण संयाव, कृशरा व मांस इत्यादी रुचकर पदार्थांनी स्वतःला लाड करू नये.
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.