He had Shyamaka for his food, as also Suryaparni and Suvarchala and other kinds of potherbs that were bitter and distasteful. for his penances, all these tasted sweet.
श्यामाकमशनं तत्र सूर्यपर्णी सुवर्चला। तिक्तं च विरसं शाकं तपसा स्वादुतां गतम्॥