Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 65
तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे दानैस्तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे मखैः । न तुष्टिस्तपसा तादृग्यादृशी काशिसंस्तवैः
tādṛktuṣṭirna me dānaistādṛktuṣṭirna me makhaiḥ | na tuṣṭistapasā tādṛgyādṛśī kāśisaṃstavaiḥ
दानांनी मला तशी तुष्टी होत नाही, यज्ञांनीही नाही; तपानेही तशी प्रसन्नता होत नाही—जशी काशीच्या स्तुतिगीतांनी होते।
Śiva
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Muni (addressed directly)
Scene: A comparative tableau: dāna, yajña, and tapas appear as offerings, yet Śiva’s face brightens most when a devotee sings Kāśī-saṃstava; Kāśī’s skyline shines behind him.
FAQs
Devotional glorification of Kāśī is presented as the most pleasing offering to Śiva, surpassing external rites.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), through kāśi-saṃstava (praise of Kāśī).
Stavana/saṃstava (hymnic praise) is elevated above dāna, yajña, and tapas as an offering.