Last month I received the following in my inbox of the small youtube account I have, since then I have been pondering how best to reply and have chosen to post it here; the question is as follows:

Know that Krishna who is incomparably beautiful, but I have seen in few places that his face is very ugly in the chariot’s? I know that some reason behind in it. Please help me out in this consideration. hare krishna …..thanks for u r wonderful kindness…

Firstly I looked into the small archive of pictures to see if I could identify which pictures of Krishna on a chariot there are followed by a small internet search, in order to give a full answer to this question and in context as to why Krishna may appear ugly. And as usual I have gone through several ways to best replying to this without waffling, digressing or confusing the issue and hope that the following fully answers the question.

We see how when Arjuna was allowed to see Krishna’s universal form; Arjuna was thus disturbed by what he saw and requested that Krishna return to his two-armed form this was for Arjuna the most attractive form for him to see.

I was also reminded of what happened when the conchshells of both Krishna and Arjuna were blown that the hearts of the sons of Dhrtarastra were shattered, they were themselves not attracted to the beauty of seeing Krishna on the battlefield.

HH A.C.Bhaktivadanta Prabhupada explains thus:

When Bhisma and the others on the side of Duryodhana blew their respective conchshells, there was no heart-breaking on the part of the Pandavas. Such occurrences are not mentioned, but in this particular verse it is mentioned that the hearts of the sons of Dhrtarastra were shattered by the sounds vibrated by the Pandavas’ party. This is due to the Pandavas and their confidence in Lord Krsna. One who takes shelter of the Supreme Lord has nothing to fear, even in the midst of the greatest calamity.
 Bg 1.19

Great fear was in the hearts of those who had not taken shelter of Krishna and to them Krishna would not appear in a incomparably beautiful manor but in an ugly form as ultimately it would lead to their destruction on the battlefield.  How best to portray this in art is difficult.

For many the pictures of war and battle is disturbing we simply have to look at modern pictures of war and battle to understand this, however as Arjuna was attracted to Krishna’s two-armed form we too will be attracted to one of the forms or pastimes of Krishna.

I was also reminded that when Nrsimhadeva  manifested himself that even the demigods were struck with fear asking Prahlada Maharaja to pacify Nrsimhadeva incase they too may be killed. Prahlada Maharaja was not disturbed or fearful. Even today when non-devotee see the pictures of Nrsimhadeva they are not very much attracted but to the devotee these pictures are beautiful as we understand he is the protector of the devotees.

Krishna although at times may strike fear or appear on the surface as unattractive or ugly remains all-attractive especially as our understanding grows; however best to focus on the pictures of Krishna you find most attractive.

This for me is the wonder of devotional life that we are all each attracted to certain pastimes of Krishna to some these pictures of Krishna on a chariot is immensely attractive whilst for myself I love the pictures of Krishna as a child and his childhood pastimes rather than that of the battlefield, it’s a personal thing; although I have grown to appreciate and see the beauty in all of Krishna’s pastimes even those that initially I found myself much disturbing by.

Krishna Steeling the butter milk

I hope this helps give some clarity and helps answer your question, apologies for the delay in answering

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to ask.