Secret of Becoming Beautiful in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In modern society, billions of dollars are spent on cosmetics, plastic surgery, and fashion in an attempt to become beautiful. Yet, Śrīla Prabhupāda observed a unique phenomenon: when young people joined the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and gave up illicit habits, they naturally became "bright-faced." Their beauty was not artificial; it was a symptom of spiritual health. This article explores the Vedic secret of becoming beautiful: not by applying external layers, but by uncovering the soul's relationship with the All-Beautiful, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Kali-yuga Delusion: Long Hair
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cited a prophecy from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regarding the degradation of beauty in the Age of Kali. The scripture predicts that in this age, people will think they have become beautiful simply by keeping long hair (lāvaṇyaṁ keśa-dhāraṇam). He noted that this mentality leads to a neglect of actual cleanliness and character. A person may be unclean and lacking in virtue, but because of their hairstyle, they consider themselves attractive. This is a "dead body" conception of beauty.
- All the young boys, they are keeping big, big hair. That is foretold in Bhagavata, five thousand years: "In Kali-yuga, they will think by keeping long hair they become more beautiful."
- Although he has no lavanya - he has no beauty - still, he thinks, "I have become very beautiful by keeping hair." So this should be avoided.
- One thing I can see very practical, that in this age, lavanyam kesa-dharanam (SB 12.2.6) - people will think that by keeping long hairs they will become very beautiful. That is stated there.
Reflection Principle
The philosophical key to true beauty lies in understanding our position as reflections of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a mirror. If you want the reflection of your face in a mirror to look beautiful, you cannot decorate the mirror; you must decorate your own face. Similarly, the living entity is a reflection of Kṛṣṇa. If we try to beautify ourselves independently of Kṛṣṇa, we fail. But if we decorate Kṛṣṇa—if we serve Him and make Him the center—we automatically become beautiful.
- If you decorate your face, you do not see directly it has become beautiful, but when you see the reflection of your face in the mirror, then indirectly you can see the beauty. By serving Krishna directly the result of the service indirectly comes to us.
- In this regard, the example is given that when one's face is decorated with a garland and sandalwood pulp, the reflection of one's face in a mirror automatically becomes beautiful.
- As far as Krsna's ornaments are concerned, when they decorate His body it appears that they do not beautify Him, but the ornaments themselves become beautiful simply by being on His body.
Beauty Through Service
Beauty is not just a physical attribute; it is a byproduct of devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda gives the example of Kubjā, the hunchbacked woman of Mathurā. Physically, she was deformed, but because she offered sandalwood pulp to Kṛṣṇa with devotion, she was instantly transformed into a beautiful woman. Similarly, devotees who engage in service shed the ugly features of lust, anger, and greed, and their faces naturally radiate peace and happiness.
- The newspapers often describe the devotees as - bright-faced. Their countrymen remark, How joyful and beautiful these boys and girls have become.
- A Krsna conscious person does not have to be qualified or beautiful; after becoming Krsna conscious and rendering service unto Krsna, he becomes very much qualified and beautiful.
- Krsna was attracted to the hunchbacked woman not for her beauty but for her service; as soon as she rendered service, she immediately became the most beautiful woman.
- When sincere souls try to become Krsna's devotees, Krsna very kindly comes before them in His full opulence and glances upon them, and they become happy and beautiful.
Kṛṣṇa in the Center
Ultimately, beauty depends on alignment. A circle is beautiful only when it is drawn around a center. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that variety, society, and civilization become beautiful only when Kṛṣṇa is the central focus. Without Him, even the most opulent society is like a decorated dead body—useless and unattractive.
- Brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, brahmacari - varieties. And when the varieties center around Krsna, it becomes beautiful. Krsna center, and the circle, rasa dance, it becomes very beautiful.
- Despite the advancement of our civilization, if we cannot bring Krsna and Krsna consciousness into the center of everything, our civilization will never become beautiful.
- The present Krsna consciousness movement is an attempt to keep Krsna in the center, for if this is done all activities will automatically become beautiful and blissful.
Conclusion
The quest for beauty is natural because the soul is part of Kṛṣṇa, the All-Beautiful. However, seeking beauty in the temporary body is a mistake. True beauty awakens when the consciousness is purified. As the newspapers noticed, the "bright-faced" devotees prove that the best cosmetic is not found in a store, but in the chanting of the holy names. By placing Kṛṣṇa in the center of our lives, everything—including our own self—becomes truly beautiful.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Becoming Beautiful. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.