Shloka 32
Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ
The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire
एकाहारोऽभवन्मासं मासं नक्ताशनोऽभवत् । अयाचिताशनो मासम्मासन्त्यक्ताशनः पुनः
ekāhāro'bhavanmāsaṃ māsaṃ naktāśano'bhavat | ayācitāśano māsammāsantyaktāśanaḥ punaḥ
ஒரு மாதம் நாளில் ஒருமுறை மட்டும் உணவு கொண்டான்; இன்னொரு மாதம் இரவில் மட்டும் உண்டான். ஒரு மாதம் கேட்காமல் கிடைத்த அன்னத்தால் வாழ்ந்தான்; பின்னர் மேலும் ஒரு மாதம் உணவை முற்றிலும் துறந்தான்।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
FAQs
It presents a graded discipline of tapas—reducing dependence on sense-pleasures and ego-driven acquisition—so the seeker becomes inwardly purified and fit for Shiva’s grace (anugraha), which is central to liberation in Shaiva thought.
Such austerities traditionally support Linga-worship by cultivating purity (śauca), restraint, and one-pointed devotion; the body is disciplined so the mind can remain steady in Saguna Shiva’s presence during pūjā, japa, and dhyāna.
A structured vrata: eating once daily, then night-only, then accepting food without asking, and finally fasting—ideally paired with Shiva-japa (e.g., the Panchakshara), night vigil on Mahashivratri, and steady meditation on Shiva.