निराहारः पंचतपा वर्षायुतमभूत्किल । ततः स्वदेहादुत्कृत्त्य कर्षंकर्षं दिनेदिने
nirāhāraḥ paṃcatapā varṣāyutamabhūtkila | tataḥ svadehādutkṛttya karṣaṃkarṣaṃ dinedine
Sesungguhnya, dia kekal tanpa makanan dan mengamalkan pertapaan 'lima api' selama sepuluh ribu tahun. Kemudian, hari demi hari, dia memotong sebahagian daripada badannya sendiri—satu karṣa pada satu masa.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) narrating to the sages (deduced)
Type: cave
Scene: A gaunt ascetic-daitya amid the pañcatapa: four blazing fires at the cardinal directions and the sun overhead; he stands or sits unmoving, emaciated from fasting; time is suggested by layered seasons passing.
The Purāṇa underscores the formidable power of sustained austerity, while implicitly warning that power gained without dhārmic intent can disturb cosmic balance.
The tapas is performed at the Pāriyātra mountain cave, portrayed as an efficacious ascetic setting.
Fasting (nirāhāra) and pañcatapas are mentioned; the verse also depicts severe self-mortification (not a general dharma prescription).