Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.52.30
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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kaccit
—
whether (please tell)
Indeclinable interrogative. Standard Sanskrit polite-inquiry particle: 'I hope that…?' The next several verses chain kaccit-questions — Kṛṣṇa's anxious affection for the brāhmaṇa's welfare, voiced in the most courteous register Vedic Sanskrit affords.
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dvija-vara-śreṣṭha
—
O best of exalted brāhmaṇas
Compound vocative. The triple-superlative (best-of-best-of-twice-born) is hyperbolic — Bhagavān is over-honoring His guest. The Gauḍīya pattern: never under-honor a brāhmaṇa, always over-honor.
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vṛddha-sammataḥ
—
sanctioned by senior authorities
Compound: vṛddha (elder) + sammata (approved). Vedic dharma is validated by the chain of elders — Kṛṣṇa frames His question in the parampara-key, reminding the brāhmaṇa and hearer that legitimate dharma is always lineage-approved.
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santuṣṭa-manasaḥ
—
whose mind is fully satisfied
Compound: santuṣṭa (contented) + manas (mind, genitive). Santoṣa is the brāhmaṇa's distinguishing virtue (Yoga-sūtra 2.42; SB 11.10.6). Kṛṣṇa's inquiry already names the criterion by which a brāhmaṇa's whole life is measured.
Here we have translated the word dharma as “religious practice,” although this does not fully convey the Sanskrit sense of the word. Kṛṣṇa did not appear within a secular society. The people in Vedic times could hardly imagine a society that did not understand the need to obey God’s law. Thus to them the word dharma conveyed a sense of duty in general, higher principles, prescribed duty and so on. It was automatically understood that such duties were within a religious context. But religion in those days was not a specific aspect or department of life, but rather a guiding light for all activities. Irreligious life was considered demoniac, and God’s hand was seen in everything.
O best among the best of brāhmaṇas! Kṛṣṇa established the root of the reasons the brāhmaṇa is the best in three verses by first inquiring with compassion. He inquired about the purity by asking if there was agreement with the ancient twelve devotees like Yajña and his present gurus. Are the duties not too difficult to accomplish? He does not ask if his duties are being performed comfortably, without suffering. The intention is to indicate that the brāhmaṇa should be able to perform his duties without intense suffering. It is understood the brāhmaṇa has been successful. “Does success not result from effort?” Even in not attaining results he should have a satisfied mind.
- What's the answer if Kṛṣṇa asks you these two questions today?
- Where could either practice or satisfaction become a fairer first inquiry from you to others?
Kṛṣṇa's first question is the right question — not 'what message do you bring?' but 'are your dharma-duties unobstructed?' He treats the man as a brāhmaṇa first and as a messenger second. The order of His inquiry is the order of His values; the message can wait until the messenger is honored.
My note
Source: vedabase.io