Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 8
अंबुभक्षो वायुभक्षः शीर्णपर्णाशनस्तथा । दिव्यं वर्षशतं साग्रं यदा तेपे महत्तपः । ततस्तुतोष भगवांस्त्रिशूलवरधारकः
aṃbubhakṣo vāyubhakṣaḥ śīrṇaparṇāśanastathā | divyaṃ varṣaśataṃ sāgraṃ yadā tepe mahattapaḥ | tatastutoṣa bhagavāṃstriśūlavaradhārakaḥ
ஒருகால் நீரையே உணவாகவும், பின்னர் காற்றையே உணவாகவும், மேலும் உலர்ந்த இலைகளை உண்டவனாகவும் இருந்து, நூற்றுக்கும் மேலான திவ்ய ஆண்டுகள் மகத்தான தபம் செய்தான். அப்போது சிறந்த திரிசூலம் தாங்கிய பகவான் மகிழ்ந்தார்.
Sūta
Tirtha: Dharmāraṇya (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Sequence-like depiction of the Daitya’s austerity: first sipping only water, then surviving on air, then eating withered leaves; time passes (celestial years). Finally Śiva appears, trident in hand, pleased.
FAQs
Steadfast austerity and restraint, sustained over time, is depicted as capable of drawing divine grace—even from the trident-bearing Lord.
No named tīrtha appears in this verse; it focuses on ascetic practice and Śiva’s satisfaction.
Ascetic disciplines are described: subsisting on water, air, and withered leaves, sustained for ‘divine years’ as a form of tapas.