spiritualsoundvibration.com: The Hare Krishna Mahamantra

On Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,
Founder and Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the sublime method for reviving our transcendental consciousness. As living spiritual souls, we are all originally Krishna Conscious entities, but due to our association with matter since time immemorial, our consciousness is now adulterated by the material atmosphere. The material atmosphere, in which we are now living, is called maya, or illusion. Maya means "that which is not." And what is this illusion? The illusion is that we are all trying to be lords of material nature, while actually we are under the grip of her stringent laws. When a servant artificially tries to imitate the all-powerful master, he is said to be in illusion.

In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities. Therefore, although we are engaged in a hard struggle to conquer nature, we are ever more dependent on her. This illusion is called maya, or hard struggle for existence for winning over the stringent laws of material nature. This illusory struggle against material nature can be stopped at once by revival of our eternal Krishna Consciousness.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare is the transcendental process for reviving this original, pure consciousness. By chanting this transcendental vibration, we can cleanse away all misgivings within our hearts. The basic principle of all such misgivings is the false consciousness that I am the lord of all I survey.

Krishna Consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind. This consciousness is the original, natural energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. This simplest method is recommended for this age (Kali-Yuga). By practical experience also, one can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra, or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel a transcendental ecstasy coming through from the spiritual stratum. In the material concept of life we are busy in the matter of sense gratification, as if we were in the lower, animal stage. A little elevated from this status of sense gratification, one is engaged in mental speculation for the purpose of getting out of the material clutches. A little elevated from this speculative status, when one is intelligent enough, one tries to find the Supreme Cause of all causes—within and without. And when one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding, surpassing the stages of sense, mind and intelligence, he is then situated on the transcendental plane.

This chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower status of consciousness—namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation, nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It is automatic, from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification and dance in ecstasy. We have seen this practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it. In a more advanced stage, of course, one is not expected to commit offenses on grounds of spiritual understanding.

In the beginning, there may not be the presence of all transcendental ecstasies, which are eight in number. These are: (1) being stopped as though dumb, (2) perspiration, (3) standing up of hairs on the body, (4) dislocation of voice, (5) trembling, (6) fading of the body, (7) crying in ecstasy, and (8) trance. But there is no doubt that chanting for a while takes one immediately to the spiritual platform, and one shows the first symptom of this in the urge to dance along with the chanting of the mantra. We have seen this practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting and dancing. Of course, for one who is too entangled in material life, it takes a little more time to come to the standard point, but even such a materially engrossed man is raised to the spiritual platform very quickly. When the mantra is chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord in love, it has the greatest efficacy on hearers, and as such this chanting should be heard from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that immediate effects can be achieved. As far as possible, chanting from the lips of non-devotees should be avoided. Milk touched by the lips of a serpent has poisonous effects.

The word Hara is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama are forms of addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krishna and Rama mean "the supreme pleasure," and Hara is the supreme pleasure energy of the Lord, changed to Hare in the vocative. The Supreme Pleasure Energy of the Lord helps us to reach the Lord.

The material energy, called maya, is also one of the multi energies of the Lord. And we, the living entities, are also the energy, marginal energy, of the Lord. The living entities are described as superior to material energy. When the superior energy is in contact with the inferior energy, an incompatible situation arises; but when the superior marginal energy is in contact with the superior energy, Hara, it is established in its happy, normal condition.

These three words, namely Hare, Krishna and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy, to give protection to the conditioned soul. This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother's presence. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the Lord Father's grace, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this Mantra sincerely.

No other means of spiritual realization is as effective in this age of quarrel an hypocrisy as is the maha-mantra:

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

What scriptures say about Hare Krishna Mahamantra

kali-santarana upanishadi

(1) hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

(2) iti shodasakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nasanam;

natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drisyate.

In the Kali-santarana Upanishad (5-6), it is stated:

“The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for counteracting the contaminations of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of these sixteen words.”

(3) iti shodasa kalasya jivasyavarana vinasanam;

tatah prakasate para brahma medhapaye ravi rasmi mandali veti

“This maha-mantra consisting of sixteen names of Krishna is the destroyer of the (16-layered) illusory covering of all the living entities. Only when the coverings are destroyed, Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in the heart of the living entities, just like the sun appears with full intensity when the clouds are removed.”

In the Sri Chaitanya Upanishad-Atharva Veda, the maha-mantra is glorified (11-14)

(11) sa eva mula-mantram japati, harir iti krishna iti rama iti.

“The Supreme Lord will chant a mantra consisting of His own names Hari, Krishna, and Rama (the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare).

(12) harati hridaya-granthim vasana-rupam iti harih.

krishih smarane tac ca nas tad-ubhaya-melanam iti krishnah.

ramayati sarvam iti rama ananda-rupah. atra sloko bhavati.

“These three seed names of the maha-mantra of the Supreme Lord (Hari, Krishna, and Rama) may be explained in the following way: {1} ‘Hari’ means He who removes (harati) the knot of material desire in the hearts of the living entities; {2} ‘Krishna’ is composed of the two syllables ‘krish’ and ‘na’. ‘Krish’ means He who attracts the minds of all living entities, and ‘na’ means the supreme transcendental pleasure; and {3} ‘Rama’ means He who is the personification of all transcendental bliss.

(13) mantro guhyah paramo bhakti-vedyah.

“The maha-mantra is the topmost and most confidential of all mantras. It can only be understood when one engages in the pure devotional service of the Supreme Lord.”

(14) naamny ashtav-ashta ca sobhanani, tani nityam ye japanti dhiras. te vai mayam atitaranti, nanyah paramam-mantram parama-rahasyam nityam avartayati.

“Those who seriously desire to make progress in spiritual life should continually chant these sixteen beautiful names (maha-mantra) of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in this way they will cross beyond the bondage of the illusory enery in this material world. There is no other mantra which is as powerful as this supremely great and most confidential of all mantras, which has directly descended from the spiritual world.”

agni puran

In the Agni Purana, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra as preached by Lord Chaitanya is mentioned:

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

ratanti helaya vapi, te kritartha na samsayah.

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare: Whoever chants this mantra, even neglectfully, will attain the supreme goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.”

padma-purane-svarga-khande (50.6)

In the Padma Purana, Svarga Khanda (50.6), the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is mentioned:

harir eva samaradhyah, sarva deve suresvarah;

hari naam maha-mantrair, nasyat papa pisacakam.

“All the grievous sins of one who one-pointedly worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all

the demigods and devotees, and chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, are removed.”

narada-pancaratre

The Narada-pancaratra also praises the Hare Krishna maha-mantra as follows:

trayo vedah shad-angani chandamsi vividhah surah

sarvam ashtaksharantah-stham yac canyad api van-mayam

sarva-vedanta-sararthah samsararnava-taranah

“The essence of all Vedic knowledge-comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity [karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and upasana-kanda], the chandas, or Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods-is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Translation by Srila Prabhupada)

vayu purane

In the Vayu Purana, the maha-mantra is described:

kalau nashta-drisam esha, mat-padyarka udeshyati.

“‘For they who have become blinded by the influence of Kali-yuga, a verse with My holy names will rise like a glorious sun. This verse is:

“‘Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

sakrid dvis trir yatha-sakti, yavaj jivam athapi va;

vyaharan svapaco ’pi syan, mama bhakto na samsayah.

“‘Everyone should chant this maha-mantra again and again, either once, twice, thrice or as many times as possible during the day & night, for as long as one lives. By chanting this mantra even the most sinful person who was a dogeater will immediately become My devotee. Of this there is no doubt.’”

ananta-samhitayam

In the Ananta-samhita, it is mentioned:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

shodasaitani naamni, dvatrimsad varnakani hi;

kalau yuge maha-mantrah, sammato jivatarane.

This mantra comprising of sixteen words or thirty-two syllables is known as the maha-mantra in Kali-yuga and is only powerful means through which the living entities can be delivered in Kali-yuga.

varjayitva tu naamitad, durjanaih parikalpitam;

chandobaddham susiddhanta, viruddham nabhyaset padam.

One should never neglect or give up the chanting of this maha-mantra and take to other so-called purificatory processes which are invented by fools and miscreants. One should not engage even in chanting other metrical compostions of the names of God that are against the pure conclusions of the scriptures.

tarakam brahma-namaitad, brahmana gurunadina;

kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh.

Lord Brahma and other highly advanced spiritual masters have called this maha-mantra as ‘taraka-brahma-nama’ which means this transcendental mantra is the deliverer of one and all.

This mantra has been glorified in srutis like the Kali-santarana Upanishad and also by Lord Hari Himself.

praptam sri brahma-sishyena, sri naradena dhimata;

namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah.

After receiving through aural reception, this topmost of all mantras from their father Lord Brahma, Sri Narada and Brahma’s other sons & disciples chanted it, achieved perfection and taught it to their own disciples in the parampara system.

utshrjyaitan-maha-mantram, ye tvanyat kalpitam padam;

mahanameti gayanti, te sastra-guru langhanah.

Abandoning this maha-mantra, those who recite verses or poems or songs which have been manufactured through someone’s imagination, transgress the instructions of the scriptures and the bona-fide spiritual masters, even though the verses they are reciting may be full of the principal names of Lord Krishna.

tattva-virodha-sanpriktam, tadrisam daurjanam matam;

sarvatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada.

Those who are interested in their real self-interest, should never accept in any form whatsoever, these concocted mantras or verses which are against the philosophical conclusions of the scriptures and may contain subtle deviations from the Vedic knowledge.

Thus everyone should take full shelter and chant with great sincerity:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

stava-mala-vibhushana-bhashye

hare krishneti mantra-pratika-grahanam.

shodasa-namatmana dvatrimsa-daksarena mantrenoccair uccaritena

sphurita krita-nritya rasana jihva yasya sah.

In the Stava-mala-vibhushana-bhashya, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana says:

“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is non-different from Krishna Himself. When the sixteen words or the thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krishna mantra are loudly vibrated, the Supreme Lord Krishna Himself dances of one’s tongue.”

stavamala Chaitanyashtake

hare krishnety uccaih sphurita-rasano naam-ganana

krita-granthi-sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvala-karah

In the Stavamala Chaitanyashtaka verse 5, Srila Rupa Gosvami states:

Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu loudly chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which dance upon His tongue, as His radiant lotus hand counts the name by fingering the beads on the beautiful knotted counting string tied to His waist.

sri Chaitanya-bhagavate

(1) hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

In Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata Madhya Khanda 23.76-78, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed all the people of Navadvipa to chant:

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

(2) prabhu bole,-“kahilan ei mahamantra;

iha japa giya sabe koriya nirbandha.”

The Lord said, “Please hear this Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Everyone please chant this maha-mantra daily in ‘nirbandha’ or constantly. “

(3) iha hoite sarva-siddhi hoibe sabara

sarva-kshana bolo’ ithe vidhi nahi ara

The Lord continued, “By chanting in this way one will achieve all perfection in one’s life. Please keep on chanting constantly because there is no consideration of any rules and regulations for this chanting process.”

Chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the yuga-dharma for Kali-yuga:

brihan-naradiya purane

harer naam harer naam, harer naamiva kevalam;

kalau nasty eva nasty eva, nasty eva gatir anyatha.

In the Brihan-naradiya Purana (38.126), it is very emphatically stated:

“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali which is full of quarrel and hypocrisy, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.”

srimad-bhagavata-mahapurane

(1) krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam, sangopangastra-parshadam;

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair, yajanti hi su-medhasah.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32) Karabhajana Muni speaks to Videharaja Nimi:

“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting (of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra) to worship the incarnation of Godhead (Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), who constantly sings the name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish (but is like molten gold), He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”

(2) kaler dosha-nidhe rajann, asti hy eko mahan gunah;

kirtanad eva krishnasya, mukta-bandhah param vrajet.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51) it is said:

“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.”

(3) krite yad dhyayato vishnum, tretayam yajato makhaih;

dvapare paricaryayam, kalau tad dhari-kirtanat.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.52) it is said:

“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

(4) kalim sabhajayanty arya, guna-jnah sara-bhaginah;

yatra sankirtanenaiva, sarva-svartho ’bhilabhyate.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.36) Karabhajana Muni speaks to Videharaja Nimi:

“Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people worship the Age of Kali because in this age one can advance in spiritual knowledge and attain life’s goal simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

(5) naam-sankirtanam yasya, sarva-papa pranasanam;

pranamo duhkha-samanas, tam naammi harim param.

In the last verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.5.53) it is concluded:

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Hari, the congregational chanting of whose holy names destroys all sinful reactions, and the offering of obeisances unto whom relieves all material suffering.”

(6) etan nirvidyamananam, icchatam akuto-bhayam;

yoginam nripa nirnitam, harer naamnukirtanam.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) it is said:

“O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.”

(7) mantratas tantratas chidram, desa-kalarha-vastutah;

sarvam karoti nischidram, anusankirtanam tava.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (8.23.16) it is said:

“There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.”

(8) etavan eva loke ’smin, pumsam dharmah parah smritah;

bhakti-yogo bhagavati, tan-nama-grahanadibhih.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.33.22) it is said:

“Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.”

(8) sankirtyamano bhagavan anantah

srutanubhavo vyasanam hi pumsam

pravisya cittam vidhunoty asesham

yatha tamo ’rko ’bhram ivati-vatah

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.12.48) it is said:

“When people engage properly in the hari-nama-sankirtana relating to the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds.”

padma purane

dhyayan krite yajan yajnais, tretayam dvapare ’rcayan;

yad apnoti tad apnoti, kalau sankirtya kesavam.

In the Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 72.25), it is said:

“Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance of yajna in Treta-yuga or by the worship of Krishna’s lotus feet in Dvapara-yuga is also obtained in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the glories of Lord Kesava.”

narayana-samhitayam

dvapariyair janair vishnuh, pancaratrais tu kevalaih;

kalau tu naam-matrena, pujyate bhagavan harih.

In the Narayana Samhita, it is said:

“In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Vishnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.”

kali-santarana upanishadi

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

iti shodasakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nasanam;

natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drisyate.

In the Kali-santarana Upanishad it is stated:

vishnu-rahasye

yad abhyarcya harim bhaktya, krite kratu-satair api;

phalam prapnoty avikalam, kalau govinda-kirtanat.

In the Vishnu Rahasya, it is said:

“Whatever fruit can be obtained in Satya-yuga by devotedly worshiping Sri Hari through the performance of hundreds of sacrifices for hundreds of years, that same result can be obtained very quickly in Kali-yuga simply by the performance of Govinda-kirtana.

sri Chaitanya-bhagavate

ataeva kali-yuge naam-yajna sara;

ara kona dharma kaile nahi haya para.

In Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata Adi Khanda 14.139, it is said:

“Therefore the essence of all religious principles in the age of Kali is the sacrifice of chanting the holy names of the Lord. One cannot be delivered by following any other religious principles.”

sri Chaitanya-caritamrite

(1) kali-kale naam-rupe krishna-avatara;

nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara.

In Sri Chaitanya-caritamrita Adi-lila 17.22, it is said:

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. The whole universe will be delivered simply by the chanting of the holy names.”

(2) avatari’ Chaitanya kaila dharma-pracarana

kali-kale dharma-krishna-nama-sankirtana

In Sri Chaitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 11.98, it is said:

“In this Age of Kali, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Krishna consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna is the religious principle for this age.”

hari-nama-cintamanau

varnasrama-dharma ara sankhya-yoga-jnana;

kalijive uddharite nahe balavan.

In the Hari-nama-cintamani, Srila Haridasa Thakura states:

“The practices of discharging one’s occupational duties perfectly, acquring analytical or speculative knowledge and the eight-fold process of meditation, are not powerful enough to deliver the fallen living entities of Kali-yuga.

kali-yuge suduhsadhya anya subha karma;

ataeva naam asi’ haila yuga-dharma.

“Also it is extremely difficult to engage in pious activities due to the degraded condition of Kali-yuga. So the name of Krishna has descended by the causeless mercy of the Lord and become the yuga-dharma of Kali-yuga.

prabhu tumi jivera mangala cinta kori’;

kali-yuge naam-sange svayam avatari.

“My dear Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, for the sake of bringing all-auspiciousness in the lives of all living entities in Kali-yuga, You have descended personally accompanied by Your most powerful holy names.

yuga-dharma pracarile naam-sankirtana;

mukhya pathe jiva paya krishna-prema dhana.

“You have then preached the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra which is the yuga-dharma for Kali-yuga, through Your own example, instructions and devotees. This is only main process through which the living entitiy will achieve the ultimate treasure of pure love of Krishna.

namera smarana ara naam-sankirtana.

ei matra dharma jiva koribe palana.

“The only religious priniciple that the living entity has to follow now is the continuous chanting and rememberance of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

upaya haiya (nama) avirbhuta dharatale;

upeya upaya aikya sarva sastre bale.

“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra has descended from the spiritual world and become the means for achieving perfection but at the same time it eternally remains the goal as well. Thus in the chanting process, the means and end have become one (unlike other spiritual processes like karma, jnana and yoga where the means and the end remain different), making it very easy for conditioned souls in Kali-yuga to achieve perfection. This is verdict of all the Vedic scriptures.”

The Hare Krishna Mahamantra

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