Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 4
तत्र भित्त्वा गिरेः शृंगे कृत्वा विवरमुत्तमम् । प्रविष्टस्तस्य मध्ये तु तपस्तेपे सुदुश्चरम्
tatra bhittvā gireḥ śṛṃge kṛtvā vivaramuttamam | praviṣṭastasya madhye tu tapastepe suduścaram
அங்கே அவன் மலைச் சிகரத்தைப் பிளந்து சிறந்த ஓர் திறப்பை உண்டாக்கி, அதற்குள் நுழைந்து உள்ளே மிகக் கடினமான தவம் செய்தான்।
Pulastya (continuing narration)
Tirtha: Arbudācala (Arbuda)
Type: peak
Scene: A luminous ascetic figure (Candra in anthropomorphic form) cleaves a mountain peak, enters a newly formed cave, and sits in deep austerity amid rocky walls, faint moonlight, and still air.
FAQs
Tapas (disciplined austerity) is shown as a transformative force that sanctifies place and person, culminating in divine favor.
The Arbuda mountain locale, particularly the sanctified interior/cave created at its peak, linked to the Candrodbheda tradition.
Austerity (tapas) is described as the practice undertaken; no specific vow details are given here.