तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे दानैस्तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे मखैः । न तुष्टिस्तपसा तादृग्यादृशी काशिसंस्तवैः
tādṛktuṣṭirna me dānaistādṛktuṣṭirna me makhaiḥ | na tuṣṭistapasā tādṛgyādṛśī kāśisaṃstavaiḥ
Bukan dengan sedekah Aku berkenan sedemikian; bukan juga dengan korban suci; bukan pula dengan tapa—seperti sukacita yang Kuperoleh daripada kidung pujian kepada Kāśī.
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.
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.