Link to Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on these verses:https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741204sbbom/
Hare Krsna,
SB 3.25.35: O My mother, My devotees always see the smiling face of My form, with eyes like the rising morning sun. They like to see My various transcendental forms, which are all benevolent, and they also talk favorably with Me.
My realization of this verse is the benefit a devotee obtains when he/she no longer desires oneness with the Supreme Lord but desires pure devotional service unto the Lord. In the previous two verses, we learned that bhakti is higher than liberation. Srila Prabhupada explained beautifully in those verses that a devotee is actually liberated when he/she acts in the service of Krsna with his/her body, mind, and words. Such a devotee is a liberated person even in this material world, although he/she may be engaged in many so-called material activities. īhā yasya harer dāsye. (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.2.187)
In this verse (SB 3.25.35) we see what the devotees obtains as a result of not desiring merging into Brahman and instead engaging in pure devotional service. The result is that they are able to see the smiling face of the Lord. Lord Krsna is so merciful and kind that He reciprocates according to how one approaches Him. If we desire pure devotional service, He will award us the same. ye yatha mam prapadyante. (BG 4.11)
Of course it is true that we cannot see the transcendental form of the Lord with our material eyes yet. Srila Prabhupada therefore lovingly and mercifully gives us the direction how we will be able to see the Lord in His pure transcendental form. He prescribes a set of Do’s and Don’ts. The first Do’s is that we must associate with pure devotees who relish discussing about Krsna. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ [SB 3.25.25]. Without devotee association, we cannot understand Krsna. Mundane study of scriptures without devotee association will not make us qualified to see the Lord. It will be akin to licking the bottle of honey than actually tasting the honey. In essence, Srila Prabhupada is instructing us to develop love of Godhead through the process of hearing and chanting in the association of pure devotees. In order words, we must be a devotee to see Krsna. We should not be so-called non devotee, atheist, scholars, or politicians who do not accept the supremacy of Krsna nor accept His beautiful transcendental form. Krsna does not expose Himself to such people. Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ [BG 7.25]
Srila Prabhupada advises us to become qualified to see Krsna. We must be sinless and become santah – pure brahmana. We must learn how to surrender to Krsna completely without any motives. He gives the example of Prahlada Maharaja who refused any kind of benediction from Lord Nrsimhadeva in exchange of tolerating the sufferings from his demoniac father. We should seek benediction from the Lord in the form of pure devotional service.
“O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.” (CC Antya 20.29)
Srila Prabhupada also sweetly cautions us that in the process of purification, we may face challenges in the form of miserable conditions put upon us by the demons. Sometimes challenges may come as painful sufferings from the Lord. We must therefore learn to practice tolerance. titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām [SB 3.25.21].
Lord Krsna is so kind that just as He accepts various incarnations, He takes on arca-vigraha form so that we are able to see His beautiful form with our material eyes.
“The devotees’ vision, however, is different; their vision is smeared with love of God. As soon as they see the Lord in His different forms, the devotees become saturated with love, for they do not find any difference between the Lord and His form in the temple, as do the atheists. The smiling face of the Deity in the temple is beheld by the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the body of the Lord is very much appreciated by the devotees…These exchanges of feelings between the Deity and the devotee are not understandable by atheists, but actually the devotee enjoys them. Kapila Muni is explaining how the devotees see the decorated body and face of the Deity and how they speak with Him in devotional service.” (SB 3.25.35 Purport)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 