Text 3
vayaṁ te parituṣṭāḥ sma
tvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayā
varaṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ te
vara-do ’smi tvad-īpsitam
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.
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.
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.