Shloka 169
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
एकं वर्षशतं चैव फलाहारस्ततो 5भवम् । द्वितीयं शीर्णपर्णाशी तृतीयं चाम्बुभोजन:
ekaṃ varṣaśataṃ caiva phalāhāras tato 'bhavam | dvitīyaṃ śīrṇaparṇāśī tṛtīyaṃ cāmbubhojanaḥ ||
پہلے پورے ایک سو برس تک میں صرف پھلوں پر گزارا کرتا رہا۔ دوسرے سو برس میں گرے ہوئے خشک پتے کھاتا رہا، اور تیسرے سو برس میں محض پانی پی کر ہی زندگی قائم رکھی۔
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and disciplined restraint as ethical power: progressively reducing dependence on food—fruits, then fallen leaves, then only water—illustrates endurance, self-control, and commitment to a higher dharmic purpose.
Vāsudeva narrates a sequence of long austerities undertaken over three centuries, describing the specific regimen of sustenance in each period to emphasize the intensity and sincerity of his ascetic practice.