Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 13
यदा हि तपसो वृद्धिस्तदा भक्तिर्हरौ भवेत् । तदा हि तपसो हानिर्यदा भक्तिं विना कृतम्
yadā hi tapaso vṛddhistadā bhaktirharau bhavet | tadā hi tapaso hāniryadā bhaktiṃ vinā kṛtam
جب تپسیا بڑھتی ہے تو ہری میں بھکتی کا اُبھار ہونا چاہیے؛ مگر جو تپسیا بھکتی کے بغیر کی جائے وہ گھٹتی ہے، بلکہ کمزور پڑ جاتی ہے۔
Īśvara (Śiva)
Scene: Two contrasting figures: one performs harsh penance with pride and dryness; another performs moderate austerity while offering flowers to Hari, radiating devotion; the latter is shown as spiritually luminous.
FAQs
Austerity is validated by devotion; without bhakti, tapas is considered spiritually depleted.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned; the focus is on the inner criterion for merit.
Perform tapas together with bhakti toward Hari; avoid austerity done as mere external discipline.