Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 3
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge
वयं ते परितुष्टा: स्म त्वद् बृहद्व्रतचर्यया । वरं प्रतीच्छ भद्रं ते वरदोऽस्मि त्वदीप्सितम् ॥ ३ ॥
vayaṁ te parituṣṭāḥ sma tvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayā varaṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ te vara-do ’smi tvad-īpsitam
તારા મહાવ્રતના આચરણથી અમે સંપૂર્ણ પ્રસન્ન છીએ. તારો કલ્યાણ થાઓ— તું જે વર ઇચ્છે તે સ્વીકાર; હું વરદાતા છું, તારી ઇચ્છા પૂર્ણ કરીશ.
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.
FAQs
This verse shows that when the Lord is pleased by sincere observance of a great vow, He personally offers a boon and is willing to grant what the devotee truly desires.
Because steadfast self-discipline and dedicated vow-observance demonstrate focused devotion and sincerity, which naturally attract the Lord’s mercy and approval.
Choose a sustainable spiritual vow—such as consistent japa, truthful living, regulated habits, and service—and keep it steadily; devotion expressed through disciplined practice invites inner auspiciousness and divine grace.