Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 5
तावद्धिन्ध्यगिरेर्मध्ये दानवो बलदर्पितः । मयो नामेति विख्यातो गुहावासी तपश्चरन्
tāvaddhindhyagirermadhye dānavo baladarpitaḥ | mayo nāmeti vikhyāto guhāvāsī tapaścaran
Pada ketika itu, di tengah Pergunungan Vindhya tinggal seorang dānava yang angkuh dengan kekuatannya. Dia masyhur bernama Maya, menetap di dalam gua serta menunaikan tapa (tapas) dengan tekun.
Mārkaṇḍeya (contextual continuity)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis (assembly)
Scene: A powerful dānava ascetic named Maya sits in a shadowed cave within the Vindhya mountains, surrounded by rugged cliffs, creepers, and a dim sacrificial glow—his posture austere, his aura proud and formidable.
FAQs
Tapas (austerity) is portrayed as a potent force even among non-divine beings, shaping destiny and alliances in Purāṇic history.
The Vindhya region is referenced as sacred geography, but no named tīrtha is praised in this verse.
Tapas is mentioned generally; no specific vrata, mantra, or rite is detailed.