Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.39.3
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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devakī - sutaḥ
—
the son of Devakī
Significant placement: Akrūra came from Mathurā where Devakī languishes in Kaṁsa's prison. Calling Kṛṣṇa 'Devakī's son' here cues the audience that He has not forgotten His birth-mother, even amidst Yaśodā's affection.
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suhṛtsu
—
concerning the well-wishers / dear ones
Suhṛd is the technical term for friend-who-wishes-good without expecting return — applicable to Vasudeva, Devakī, and the Yadu elders Kṛṣṇa is asking about.
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cikīrṣitam
—
what he is planning to do
Desiderative of √kṛ — 'what does he wish-to-do.' Kṛṣṇa's omniscience is screened by His role as nephew; He asks in the polite human register even while knowing.
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sāyantana
—
of the evening
Time-marker: this is the same evening Akrūra arrived. The whole chapter unfolds across one night and the next dawn — the last night of Kṛṣṇa's childhood in Vraja.
Kṛṣṇa took his evening meal. Eating twice on Dvādaśī is not against the rules for a person who has not taken upanāyanam (sacred thread). He is here called the son of Devakī, for he now took on that mood in speaking to Akrūra. He asked about the present activities of Kaṁsa towards the Yadus (suhṛtsu vṛttim). Another version had vrṭtam, meaning the past activities. He asked about what Kaṁsa planned to do in the future. Or he asked the activities of Kaṁsa towards the Yadus since Kaṁsa desired to kill Kṛṣṇa. He asked the question to establish Kaṁsa’s faults. Even though Balarāma asked this question previously, but now Balarāma remained silent for moment out of regard for his younger brother. The words of Kṛṣṇa representing Balarāma were acknowledged by Balarāma.
Kṛṣṇa took his evening meal. Eating twice on Dvādaśī is not against the rules for a person who has not taken upanāyanam (sacred thread). After becoming a brahmācārī the rule applies. Aṣṭavarṣādhiko bālaḥ: the rules apply to a child above eight years. And the rules apply mainly to brāhmaṇas, since they take upanāyanam when eight years of age. He asked how Kaṁsa was treating the Yadus, since he was born of Devakī, and was dedicated to helping devotees (bhagavān). Or generally he wanted to help because they were friends. He asked what else Kaṁsa was planning at the moment. By asking these questions he showed Kaṁsa’s fault in causing affliction, and showed his affection for his mother and devotees in general. Or the Lord, though omniscient (bhagavān), asked. Why? He was the son of Devakī. This shows he was performing human pastimes.
- Where do you postpone practical questions in the name of spiritual ambiance?
- What 'how are things' check-in have you been avoiding?
Like a son who, having welcomed an elder uncle and fed him well, only then asks the difficult question about home — Kṛṣṇa waits until after the evening meal to ask Akrūra about Kaṁsa. The mood is unhurried domesticity, not crisis management.
My note
Source: vedabase.io