क्षेत्राणि सरितश्चैव पर्वताश्च नदा स्तथा । ऋषीणां तपसो वीर्यान्माहात्म्यं परमं गताः
kṣetrāṇi saritaścaiva parvatāśca nadā stathā | ṛṣīṇāṃ tapaso vīryānmāhātmyaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ
As regiões sagradas, os rios, as montanhas e também os regatos alcançam a mais alta fama e santidade pela força potente das austeridades (tapas) dos ṛṣi.
Sūta (narrative voice; implied)
Holy places become supremely sanctified through the spiritual power (tapas) of realized sages.
The verse sets the principle behind tīrtha-glory in general, preparing for Arbuda’s specific māhātmya.
No specific rite is prescribed; the verse emphasizes tapas as the source of sanctity.