Shloka 20
स्निग्धस्मितावलोकेन वाचा पीयूषकल्पया । चरित्रेणानवद्येन श्रीनिकेतेन चात्मना ॥ २० ॥
snigdha-smitāvalokena vācā pīyūṣa-kalpayā caritreṇānavadyena śrī-niketena cātmanā
There He dwelt in His transcendental body, the abode of Śrī Lakṣmī, with His gentle, sweetly smiling glance, His words like nectar, and His flawless, blameless character.
In the previous verse it is described that Lord Kṛṣṇa, being situated in the truths of Sāṅkhya philosophy, is detached from all kinds of matter. In the present verse it is described that He is the residence of the goddess of fortune. These two things are not at all contradictory. Lord Kṛṣṇa is detached from the variegatedness of the inferior nature, but He is in eternal, blissful enjoyment of the spiritual nature, or His internal potency. One who has a poor fund of knowledge cannot understand this distinction between the external and internal potencies. In Bhagavad-gītā, the internal potency is described as the parā prakṛti. In the Viṣṇu Purāṇa also, the internal potency of Viṣṇu is described as parā śakti. The Lord is never detached from the association of parā śakti. This parā śakti and her manifestations are described in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.37) as ānanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhāvitābhiḥ. The Lord is eternally joyful and cognizant in the taste derived from such transcendental bliss. Negation of the variegatedness of the inferior energy does not necessitate negation of the positive transcendental bliss of the spiritual world. Therefore the Lord’s gentleness, His smile, His character and everything related to Him are all transcendental. Such manifestations of the internal potency are the reality, of which the material shadow is only a temporary representation from which everyone with proper knowledge must be detached.
FAQs
This verse highlights Krishna’s affectionate smiling glance, nectar-like speech, flawless character, and His inherently auspicious presence as śrī-niketa—qualities that irresistibly draw devotees’ hearts.
Śrī-niketa means “the abode of Śrī (Lakṣmī),” indicating that all beauty, fortune, and auspiciousness naturally reside in Him; His very presence bestows spiritual and divine well-being.
By remembering Krishna’s sweetness—His compassionate “glance” (care), “speech” (teachings), and “character” (ideal conduct)—one can cultivate devotion, speak kindly, act blamelessly, and keep the heart anchored in bhakti.