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
وہ پانی کو غذا بنا کر، پھر ہوا پر گزارا کر کے، اور سوکھے پتّے کھا کر، پورے سو دیویہ برسوں سے بھی زیادہ عظیم تپسیا کرتا رہا۔ تب برتر ترشول دھارک بھگوان خوشنود ہوئے۔
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.