Maha-mantra Tika

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- Explanation of the Maha-mantra by Srila Jiva Gosvami

 

Translated by Bhakti-vaidurya Madhava Swami

 

1. By His uncommon beauty, Sri Krsna Candra takes away the mind of everyone. However, when Sri Radha expands Her own cleverness, She also captures Sri Krsna's mind. Therefore She is called "Hara"

 

2. By His loveliness and by the sweet sound of His flute, Sri Krsna, who is decorated with the most captivating qualities, attracts Radha. Therefore He is called "Krsna."

 

3. It has been heard from the mouths of great souls that Lord Hari led away the fawn-eyed Radha from the Rasa dance to secluded bower. Therefore Radha is called "Hara."

 

4. As He sports with Radha, His blackish effulgence causes shiny gold to also appear blackish. Therefore He is called "Krsna."

 

5. In pursuance of the wishes of His beloved Sri Radha, He constructed in the forest near Govardhana a lake named Syama-kunda and then drew the waters of all holy bathing places there. Those who know this call Him "Krsna."

 

6. By Her unsurpassed love, Sri Radha attracts Him who is the performer of wonderful pastimes to the Vrndavana forest on the banks of Yamuna River. Those of steady intellect therefore call Him "Krsna."

 

7. One day while Krsna was in Vrndavana, He killed the demon Arista, who was disguised as a bull. At that time Radha affectionately called out to Him "O Hari!" Therefore She is known as "Hara."

 

8. Sometimes due to excessive love, Sri Radha's voice becomes faint when She sings the glories of Sri Krsna's pastimes. Therefore those who are expert in discerning spiritual sentiments call Her "Hara."

 

9. Once, in the forest of Vrndavana, Sri Krsna dropped His flute due to the intense experience of loving sentiments. All that time Radha snatched up His flute. Therefore She is called "Hara."

 

10. Once Sri Krsna put His arms around Sri Radha, took Her into a bower shaped like one of the caves at Govardhana Hill and there enjoyed with Her. Therefore He is called "Rama".

 

11. Everyday the most merciful Sri Radha bestows (rati) happiness upon Krsna. Therefore She is called "Hara."

 

12. The minds of the devotees always find pleasure in Sri Krsna, who is an ocean of transcendental bliss. Therefore that beautiful dark form of Krsna is called "Rama."

 

13. Radha is called Rama because She enjoyed Acyuta through loving pastimes in a forest pavilion made of flowering creepers. Because Krsna is with that Rama, He is called "Rama".

 

14. When all of Gokula was filled with wailing because of a forest fire, Sri Krsna extinguished it, thus greatly pleasing the Vrajavasis. Therefore He is called "Rama".

 

15. Sri Krsna went to Mathura to kill the demons headed by Kamsa. By Her to enjoy confidential pastimes with Krsna, Sri Radha brought Krsna back to Vrndavana. Therefore She is called "Hara".

 

16. When Sri Krsna came back to Vrndavana, He took away the suffering of the Vrajavasis and by His wonderful pastimes captivated Radha's mind. Therefore the son of Nanda is called "Hari".