SB 12.9.3

Srimad-Bhagavatam, Twelfth Canto, Chapter 9: Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord

SB 12.9.2

SB 12.9.4

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT 3

vayaṁ te parituṣṭāḥ sma
tvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayā
varaṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ te
vara-do 'smi tvad-īpsitam

SYNONYMS

vayam—We; te—with you; parituṣṭāḥ—perfectly satisfied; sma—have become; tvat—your; bṛhat-vrata—of the vow of lifelong celibacy; caryayā—by performance; varam—a benediction; pratīccha—please choose; bhadram—all good; te—unto you; vara-daḥ—the giver of benedictions; asmi—I am; tvat-īpsitam—desired by you.

TRANSLATION

We are perfectly satisfied with your practice of lifelong celibacy. Please choose whatever benediction you desire, since I can grant your wish. May you enjoy all good fortune.

PURPORT

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the Lord used the plural form in the beginning of this verse—"We are satisfied"—because He was referring to Himself along with Śiva and Umā, who will later be glorified by Mārkaṇḍeya. The Lord then used the singular—"I am the bestower of benedictions"—because ultimately only Lord Nārāyaṇa (Kṛṣṇa) can award the highest perfection of life, eternal Kṛṣṇa consciousness.