The Sadguru said:
Where the Gaṅgā, the Yamunā, and the Sarasvatī flow, that is the most excellent of holy places, rare even for the gods.
śrīsadgururuvāca
yatra gaṅgā ca yamunā yatra caiva sarasvatī|
tadeva tīrthapravaraṃ devānāpi durlabham
यत्र · yatra — where
गङ्गा · gaṅgā — the Ganga river
च · ca — and
यमुना · yamunā — the Yamuna river
यत्र · yatra — where
चैव · caiva — and also
सरस्वती · sarasvatī — the Sarasvati river
तदेव · tadeva — that alone
तीर्थप्रवरम् · tīrthapravaraṃ — the best of holy places
देवानाम् · devānām — for the gods
अपि · api — even
दुर्लभम् · durlabham — rare
यत्र गङ्गा यमुना सरस्वती च यत्र च एव (सन्ति), तत् एव तीर्थप्रवरं देवानाम् अपि दुर्लभम् अस्ति।
where · the Ganga river · and · the Yamuna river · where · and also · the Sarasvati river · that alone · the best of holy places · for the gods · even · rare
This verse introduces the setting of the chapter, establishing Prayāga as the supreme confluence of holy rivers. It sets the stage for the narrative by highlighting the rarity and sanctity of the location.