SB 12.9.7
suta uvaca
itidito ’rcitah kamam
rsina bhagavan mune
tatheti sa smayan pragad
badary-asramam isvarah
Translation:
Suta Gosvami said: O wise Saunaka, thus satisfied by Markandeya’s praise and worship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, smiling, replied, “So be it,” and then departed for His hermitage at Badarikasrama.
Purport:
The words bhagavan and isvara in this verse refer to the Supreme Lord in His incarnation as the twin sages Nara and Narayana. According to Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the Supreme Lord smiled ruefully, because He prefers that His pure devotees stay away from His illusory energy. Curiosity to see the illusory energy of the Lord sometimes develops into sinful material desire. Nonetheless, to please His devotee Markandeya, the Lord granted his request, just as a father who cannot convince his son to give up pursuing a harmful desire may let him experience some painful reaction so that he will then voluntarily desist. Thus, understanding what would soon happen to Markandeya, the Lord smiled as He prepared to display the illusory potency to him.