Penances manifold. They throw themselves through various channels. Of all sorts of penance, however, that one may practise after abstaining from pleasure and enjoyment, abstention from food is the greatest and best.
तपसो बहुरूपस्य तैस्तैारैः प्रवर्ततः। निवृत्या वर्तमानस्य तपो नानशनात् परम्॥