Valmiki

“ Along fair Sarjú's side
Where mix her waters confluent
With three-pathed Gangá's tide. [2]
There was a sacred hermitage
Where saints devout of mind
Their lives through many a lengthened age
To penance had resigned. ”

“ See Kálidása's Kumára Sambhava, or Birth of the War-God.↑ Sthánu, The Unmoving one, a name of S'iva.↑ The practice of austerities, voluntary tortures, and mortifications was anciently universal in India, and was held by the Indians to be of immense efficacy. Hence they mortified themselves to expiate sins, to acquire merits, and to obtain superhuman gifts and powers ”