एकः पाशुपत श्रेष्ठो वाल्मीकिरिति संज्ञितः । तपश्चचार स मुनिः कपर्दीशं समर्चयन्
ekaḥ pāśupata śreṣṭho vālmīkiriti saṃjñitaḥ | tapaścacāra sa muniḥ kapardīśaṃ samarcayan
There was a foremost devotee of Paśupati, renowned as Vālmīki. That sage practiced austerity, worshipping Kapardīśa (Śiva) with reverence.
Skanda (deduced from Kāśīkhaṇḍa context: Skanda speaking to Agastya)
True greatness is measured by devotion and disciplined tapas offered to Śiva, the Lord of all beings (Paśupati).
The Kāśī-khaṇḍa setting implies Kāśī’s sacred sphere, but this verse primarily introduces the devotee and his worship rather than naming a tīrtha.
Tapas (austerity) and proper arcana (worship) of Śiva (Kapardīśa).