Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 12 - Chapter 1 - Verse 3


Sanskrit:

वयं ते परितुष्टा: स्म त्वद् बृहद्‌व्रतचर्यया ।वरं प्रतीच्छ भद्रं ते वरदोऽस्मि त्वदीप्सितम् ॥ ३ ॥

ITRANS:

vayaṁ te parituṣṭāḥ smatvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayāvaraṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ tevara-do ’smi tvad-īpsitam

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.