śrī-bhagavān uvāca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; bhoḥ bhoḥ - dear sage; brahma-ṛṣi - of all learned brāhmaṇas; varyaḥ - the best; asi - you are; siddhaḥ - perfect; ātma-samādhinā - by fixed meditation upon the Self; mayi - directed toward Me; bhaktyā - by devotional service; anapāyinyā - undeviating; tapaḥ - by austerities; svādhyāya - study of the Vedas; saṁyamaiḥ - and regulative principles.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Mārkaṇḍeya, you are indeed the best of all learned brāhmaṇas. You have perfected your life by practicing fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul, as well as by focusing upon Me your undeviating devotional service, your austerities, your study of the Vedas and your strict adherence to regulative principles.