The Rishi lived on air and was completely free from all worldly desires, thus becoming daily lean and emaciated. Thus did he see his ancestors, hanging in the hole, their heads downwards.
वायुभक्षो निराहारः शुष्यन्नहरहर्मुनिः। स ददर्श पितॄन् गर्ने लम्बमानानधोमुखान्॥