Shloka 20
The Kingdom of God (Vaikuṇṭha) and the Curse of Jaya and Vijaya
यत्संकुलं हरिपदानतिमात्रदृष्टै- र्वैदूर्यमारकतहेममयैर्विमानै: । येषां बृहत्कटितटा: स्मितशोभिमुख्य: कृष्णात्मनां न रज आदधुरुत्स्मयाद्यै: ॥ २० ॥
yat saṅkulaṁ hari-padānati-mātra-dṛṣṭair vaidūrya-mārakata-hema-mayair vimānaiḥ yeṣāṁ bṛhat-kaṭi-taṭāḥ smita-śobhi-mukhyaḥ kṛṣṇātmanāṁ na raja ādadhur utsmayādyaiḥ
Vaikuṇṭha is crowded with vimānas made of lapis lazuli, emerald, and gold, as if gathered before eyes fixed only on Hari’s lotus feet. Yet its residents, whose very selves belong to Kṛṣṇa, though surrounded by beloved consorts with full hips and smiling, radiant faces, are never stirred to passion by their mirth and charms.
In the material world, opulences are achieved by materialistic persons by dint of their labor. One cannot enjoy material prosperity unless he works very hard to achieve it. But the devotees of the Lord who are residents of Vaikuṇṭha have the opportunity to enjoy a transcendental situation of jewels and emeralds. Ornaments made of gold bedecked with jewels are achieved not by working hard but by the benediction of the Lord. In other words, devotees in the Vaikuṇṭha world, or even in this material world, cannot be poverty-stricken, as is sometimes supposed. They have ample opulences for enjoyment, but they need not labor to achieve them. It is also stated that in the Vaikuṇṭha world the consorts of the residents are many, many times more beautiful than we can find in this material world, even in the higher planets. It is specifically mentioned here that a woman’s large hips are very attractive and they stimulate man’s passion, but the wonderful feature of Vaikuṇṭha is that although the women have large hips and beautiful faces and are decorated with ornaments of emeralds and jewels, the men are so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness that the beautiful bodies of the women cannot attract them. In other words, there is enjoyment of the association of the opposite sex, but there is no sexual relationship. The residents of Vaikuṇṭha have a better standard of pleasure, so there is no need of sex pleasure.
FAQs
This verse says Vaikuṇṭha’s wonders—like gem-and-gold vimānas—are perceived by those who have bowed at the feet of Hari, emphasizing that devotion (humble surrender) grants spiritual vision.
In this chapter Śukadeva narrates the splendor of the Lord’s abode to convey that the spiritual world is centered on pure devotion, where even devotees’ movements are transcendental and free from material effects like dust.
Adopt the mood highlighted here—humble bowing/surrender to Hari—by daily nāma-japa, respectful prayer, and aligning choices with service to Kṛṣṇa rather than ego-driven goals.