Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

[krsna 3]

Scriptural References / Verses on

Chanting the Holy Names

 

Bhagavad-Gita 9.14

Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination,

bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with

devotion.

 

 

Bhagavad-Gita 10.9

The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully

devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from

always enlightening one another and conversing about me.

 

 

Bhagavad-Gita 10.25

Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental

om. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names (japa), and of

immovable things I am the Himalayas.

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1-1.1.14

Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and

death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the

holy name of Krsna, which is feared by fear personified.

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1-1.2.17

Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma

(Supersoul) in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful

devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the

devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are

in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.

 

 

 

--

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.22

 

etavan eva loke 'smin

pumsam dharmah parah smrtah

bhakti-yogo bhagavati

tan-nama-grahanadibhih

 

"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."

 

 

 

--

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32

 

krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam

sangopangastra-parsadam

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair

yajanti hi su-medhasah

 

"In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship [Lord Caitanya,] the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions."

 

 

 

--

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.36

 

kalim sabhajayanty arya

guna jnah sara-bhaginah

yatra sankirtanenaiva

sarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate

 

"Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of this Age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age all perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana."

 

 

 

--

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.51

 

kaler dosa-nidhe rajan

asti hy eko mahan gunah

kirtanad eva krsnasya

mukta-sangah param vrajet

 

"My dear king, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.51-2

 

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann

asti hy eko mahan gunah

kirtanad eva krsnasya

mukta-sangah param vrajet

krte yad dhyayato visnum

tretayam yajato makhaih

dvapare paricaryayam

kalau tad dhari-kirtanat

 

"The most important factor in this Age of Kali, which is an ocean of faults, is that one can be free from all contamination and become eligible to enter the kingdom of God simply by chanting the holy names. The self-realization that was achieved in the Satya millennium by meditation, in the Treta millennium by the performance of different sacrifices, and in the Dvapara millennium by worship of Lord Krsna can be achieved in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the holy names, Hare Krishna."

 

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam last verse

I offer my respectfull obeisances unto the Supreme Lord,

Hari, the congregational chanting of whose holy names

destoys all sinfill reactions, and the offering of obeisances

unto whom relieves all material suffering.

 

 

 

--

 

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Ådi-lila 3.40

 

kali-yuge yuga-dharma-namera pracara

tathi lagi' pita-varna caitanyavatara

 

"The religious practice for the Age of Kali is to broadcast the glories of the holy name. Only for this purpose has the Lord, in a yellow color, descended as Lord Caitanya."

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 4.71

 

tara madhye sarva-srestha nama-sankirtana

niraparadhe nama laile paya prema-dhana

 

"Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead."

 

 

 

--

 

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Ådi-lila 17.22

 

kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara

nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara

 

"In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered."

 

 

 

--

 

Kali-santarana Upanisad

 

hare krsna hare krsna

krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama

rama rama hare hare

 

iti sodasakam namnam

kali-kalmasa-nasanam

natah parataropayah

sarva-vedesu drsyate

 

"After searching through all the Vedic literature one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krsna."

 

 

 

--

 

Brhan-naradiya Purana

 

harer nama harer nama

harer namaiva kevalam

kalau nasty eva nasty eva

nasty eva gatir anyatha

 

"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is

chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

There is no other way.

There is no other way.

There is no other way."

 

 

 

harinama para ye ca

ghore kali-yuge narah

te eva krtakrtyasca

na kalir badhate hi tan

hare kesava govinda

vasudeva jaganmaya

itirayanti ye nityam

na hi tam badhate kalih

 

 

"In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme Lord should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full shelter of the holy name. This is their real responsibility and duty. There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krsna: Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who chants constantly with unflinching faith, he remains unaffected by the reverses of Kali-yuga, because his heart has become purified by chanting."

 

 

 

hari-nama-para ye ca

hari-kirtana tat parah

hari-puja-para ye ca

te krtarthah kalau-yuge

 

 

"Those who engage in chanting the holy name of Lord Hari (japa), are addicted to congregational chanting (kirtana) and engage in the worship of Lord Hari, have accomplished their desires in the age of Kali."

 

 

--

 

Visnu Purana: 6.2.17

 

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais

tretayam dvapare 'rcyan

yad apnoti tad apnoti

kalau sankirtya kesavam

 

"In this age there is no use in meditation, sacrifice and temple worship.

Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna- Hare Krishna, Hare

Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama

Rama, Hare Hare-one can achieve perfect self realization."

 

 

 

Visnu Purana

 

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais-

tretayam dvapare rcayan

yadapnoti tadapnoti

kalau samkirtaya kesavam

 

"The supreme goal which was attained in Satya-yuga by years of prolonged meditation; in Treta-yuga by performing extensive yajnas; in Dvapara-yuga by opulent and scrupulous Deity worship; in Kali-yuga the same results are easily had simply by the chanting of the holy name."

 

 

--

 

Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 42nd Chapter

 

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais

tretayam dvapare 'rcayan

yad apnoti tad apnoti

kalau sankirtya kesavam

 

"Whatever is achieved in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta by offering ritual sacrifices and in Dvapara by temple worship is achieved in Kali-yuga by chanting the names of Lord Kesava congregationally."

 

 

 

Padma Purana

 

satyam kaliyuga vipra

sri harer nama mangalam

param svastyayanam nrnam

nasty-eva gatir anyatha

 

 

"Oh brahmana, chanting of the holy name is the auspicious process in Kali Yuga. It is the highest auspiciousness for mankind. There is no other way."

 

 

--

 

Varaha Purana

 

krsna krsneti krsneti

svapan jagrad vrajamstatha

yo jalpati kalau nityam

krsna-rupi bhaveddhi sah

 

 

"Whoever continuously chants Lord Krsna's holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realise that the name is a direct manifestation of Krsna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. This has been ordained by Lord Krsna."

 

 

--

 

Skanda Purana

 

kali-kala kusarpasya

tiksna-damstrasya ma bhayam

govinda-nama-danena

dagdho yasyati bhasmatam

 

"I see that Kali-yuga is like a black, poisonous snake with a gaping mouth and fangs. But please be unperturbed dear devotees and listen with faith. Once the holy name of the Lord is being chanted, it is like igniting a forest fire which will burn to ashes the poisonous snakes within the forest."

 

 

 

mahabhagavata nityam

kalau smakirtaya kesavam

 

 

"The hallmark of a mahabhagavata the most elevated devotee in Kali-yuga is that he chants the holy name of the Lord constantly.

 

 

 

 

Kalisantarana Upanisad

 

“The sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience, there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.”

 

Chanting of the holy names of Hari is the yuga-dharma (recommended religious process) for kali-yuga. The importance of this chanting cannot be overly stressed. Everyone should chant these holy names as much as possible.

 

 

Linga Purana

 

varjams-tisthan svapannasnan

svasan vakya-prapurane

nama-samkirtanam visnor-

helaya kali-vardhanam

krtva svarupatam yati

bhakti-yuktam param vrajet

 

"In our normal activities of eating, sleeping, sitting, dreaming, etc. to chant Krsna's names, while nullify the ill effects of Kali-yuga, is the perfection of speech. Even if a person chants Krsna's names indifferently, he will surely achieve his svarupa, or original spiritual self and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. He will reach Vaikuntha, the supreme goal.

 

 

 

Madhvacharya, quoting Narayana Samhita,

in his Mundakopanisad Bhasya says -

 

dvapariyair janair visnuh

pancaratrais tu kevalam

kalau tu nama-matrena

pujyate bhagavan harih

 

 

"In the Dvapara-yuga people should worship Lord Visnu only by the regulative principles of the pancaratra and other such authorized books. In the Age of Kali, however, people should only chant the holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please chant:

 

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama,

Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

- and make your life sublime.

[krsna 3]

http://prabhupadaconnect.comSP_Dancing_Ecstatically.JPG

 

 

by

 

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

 

Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness

 

____________

 

 

 

The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare is the sublime method for reviving our Krsna consciousness. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted 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, this is called 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 illusory struggle against material nature can at once be stopped by the revival of our Krsna consciousness.

 

 

 

Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; this consciousness is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. And this process of chanting Hare Krsna is recommended by authorities for this age. By practical experience also, we can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra, or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel transcendental ecstasy from the spiritual stratum. When one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding -- surpassing the stages of sense, mind, and intelligence -- one is situated on the transcendental plane. This chanting of Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower stages 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 or any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy. We have seen it practically, that even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it. The chanting should be heard, however, from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that the immediate effect can be achieved. As far as possible, chanting from the lips of nondevotees should be avoided, as much as milk touched by the lips of a serpent has poisonous effects.

 

 

 

The word Hare is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krsna and Rama are forms of directly addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krsna and Rama mean "the highest pleasure." Hara is the supreme pleasure potency of the Lord. This potency, addressed as Hare, helps us in reaching the Supreme Lord.

 

 

 

The material energy, called maya, is also one of the multipotencies 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, it becomes an incompatible situation. But when the superior marginal energy is in contact with the supreme spiritual energy, called Hara, the living entity is established in its happy normal condition.

 

 

 

These three words, namely Hare, Krsna, and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, for giving protection to the conditioned soul. The chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the grace of the supreme father Hari, or Krsna, 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 as chanting the maha-mantra:

 

 

 

"Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare

 

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare"

[krsna 3]

 

 

 

THE MAHA MANTRA

 

(BTG 1944 p.20) Lord Chaitanya conducted His transcendental movement strictly according to the injunction of the Shastras (law-books) because that is the qualification of all bonafide Acharyas or authorities, and as such he has most reasonably and scientifically ordered us to chant the Name of the Lord as follows. In the scriptures the Taraka Brahman Names of the Lord in this age are composed of 32 letters and 16 words, symbolized as follows:—

 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare.

 

The chanting of the above sixteen words composed of 32 Sanskrit letters combined together is called the "Mahamantram". (Maha=great, Man=mind, Tran=deliverance) that is, the great instrument for our deliverance from the clutches of the mental plane. At present we have no information of the transcendental plane or self-realization but are hovering over a plane created by the mind called Manaratha. These sixteen words can alone deliver us from such mental activities.

 

If any one therefore takes shelter of the Mahamantram with unconditional surrender, he can very easily attain to all successes both material and Spiritual, that is the verdict of Lord Chaitanya. This Mahamantram when murmured within the mouth it is called "Japa" and when chanted loudly so that others also may take advantage of hearing the same, it is called SREE KRISHNA SAMKIRTAN. Both these processes of Japa and Samkirtan were perfectly demonstrated by Thakura Haridasa, an associate of Lord Chaitanya. This Thakura Haridasa is also known as the Namacharya, i.e., the authority from whom the chanting of the transcendental Name of the Lord must be learnt. It is needless, however, to say that this Thakur Haridas happened to appear himself in the family of a great Mohammedan, showing thereby that the cult of Lord Chaitanya is acceptable universally without any distinction of caste, creed and colour. (BTG 1944 p.20)

 

O Lord, You have brought Your innumerable holy names to this world and have taught the chanting of them to the fallen living beings just for their deliverance; therefore You are an ocean of mercy and compassion.You invest all Your energies in Your holy name, and on the chanting of Your holy name You have not placed any consideration such as time or place. Your holy name, which is like touchtone,is nondifferent from You. You have distributed Your holy name throughout the creation, and that is the essence of Your kindness. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

 

 

Insurmountable are the ways of the modes of Nature

 

WITH FULL, VOLUNTARY SURRENDER CHANT THE NAME OF THE LORD

 

When we want to become an enjoyer we do not remember as to whose things we are going to enjoy. We forget at that time that everything is created by and is the property of the Lord. We are unable to manufacture even a pinch of earth and what to speak of the finer elements such as water, fire, air, ether etc. We forget that all these elements are the gifts of the Lord Himself through His External Potency of Nature and the Jiva soul is simply allowed to make a use of them for the service of the Lord or in order to satisfy his false position of an enjoyer. As soon as the objects of such false enjoyment are taken away by the sway of the laws of Nature, the Jiva soul looks blank and becomes a silly renouncer like the fabulous jackal in the orchard of grapes. The Jiva soul forgets to know that all the materials of his false enjoyment are supplied by the Nature in accordance with the orders of the Lord and the captivated conditioned soul falsely thinks that he is absolute enjoyer of the things. He forgets that he is a prisoner in the fortress of the External Potency (Durga). When he renounces therefore under awkward circumstances, he gives up only that gross enjoying habit but becomes a subtle enjoyer of his other resources, namely the mind and the ego. Thus he hovers over the plane of mental concoction for becoming one with the Lord, making a spiritual suicide of his own individual existence. This sort of illusion is the last snare of the Most Powerful Qualitative Nature and for this reason only Sree Krishna warns the Jiva soul as follows:—

 

"Daiviea gunamae Mama Maya duratyaya."

 

Insurmountable are the ways of the modes of Nature and the only way out from the tangle of such modes of Nature—is complete voluntary surrender unto Me (Sree Krishna). The last line completes as follows:

 

"Mam eba je prapadyante Maya etan tarantee te."

 

Thus the desire or hatred for enjoyment or renunciation both are creations of the false ego. They are therefore as if dusts on the mirror of our pure consciousness. When this is cleared off by Sree Krishna Samkirtan the Jiva soul then and there can see only his real face on the polished mirror of pure consciousness and then he can know only that he is neither the enjoyer nor the renouncer, but an eternal entity as transcendental servitor of the Supreme Lord. The dust is Maya or illusion which can be compared with the shadow, and the Lord as the beam light. When He appears Himself on the mirror of our pure consciousness, the Maya gives way and the shadow disappears. We cannot see the Lord nor hear His voices by our present imperfect senses, but when with full voluntary surrender we chant the transcendental Name of the Lord with service and submission, He mercifully makes His own appearance in the transcendental state of our existence, when freed from the contamination of the spirit of enjoyment and renouncement. (BTG 1944, p.21)

 

O brothers, chant "Hari! Hari!", for life in the jaws of material desire is a useless existence. Freedom from mundane hankerings is the platform of actual happiness. Having become pure and situated in transcendence by giving up all desire for mundane enjoyment and liberation, I chant the holy name of the Supreme Lord.

(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

 

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

 

[krsna 3]

 

Explanation of the Maha-mantra by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur

(from Sri Krishna Kathamrita translated by Bhakti-vaidurya Madhava das)

 

(1) [Hare] = O Hari! Having captured my mind, please free me from material bondage.

 

(2) [Krishna] = O Krishna! Please attract my mind by pulling it to You.

 

(3) [Hare] = O Hari! Please capture my mind by Your unsurpassed sweetness.

 

(4) [Krishna] = O Krishna! Please purify my mind with knowledge about devotional service given to me by Your own devotee.

 

(Where to search out this “Krishna’s own devotee”? Well, “mor senapati bhakta” : “My that dear devotee who is the commander general of the army <multitude> of My devotees” -- said Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya about our Srila Prabhupada!) (Who is Sri Krishna Chaitanya? Answer: http://www.acbspn.com/godhead/gaura_1predictions.htm)

 

(5) [Krishna] = O Krishna! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.

 

[The explanation of the next “Krishna” is missing from the translation]

 

(7) [Hare] = O Hari! Please make me fit to serve You.

 

(8) [Hare] = O Hari! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.

 

(9) [Hare] = O Hari! Please direct me to do some particular service for You.

 

(10) [Rama] = O Rama! Let me hear about Your most cherished pastimes in the company of Your dearest devotees.

 

(Sri Radha is called ramA (ramaa) because her association gives pleasure to Sri Krishna. Because Sri Krishna is with that ramA, He is called "rAma" - RAma or raama.)

 

(11) [Hare] = O Hara (Sri Radha)! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved Sri Krishna.

 

(12) [Rama] = O Rama! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved Sri Radha.

 

(13) [Rama] = O Rama! Please engage me in remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes etc.

 

(14) [Rama] = O Rama! Please make me fit to serve You while remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes etc.

 

(15) [Hare] = O Hari! Having accepted me as one of Your own servitors, please enjoy me as You please.

 

(16) [Hare] = O Hari! Please enjoy me in Your transcendental way. This is my humble request at Your lotus feet.

 

 

 

--

 

Mahamantra-vyakhya: Explanation of the Maha-mantra

(1)

The Lord's divine qualities revealed in the Mahamantra

 

harati tri-vidham tapam janma-koti-satodbhavam

papam ca smaratam yasmat tasmad harir iti smrtah

 

The Lord is known as Hari because He takes away the sins and three types of suffering accumulated over millions of births, of those who remember Him.

 

krsir bhur-vacakah sabdo nas ca nirvrti-sucakah

tayor aikyam param brahma krishna ity abhidhiyate

 

The root krs- indicates the supreme attractiveness of the Lord, the suffix -na indicates the supreme joy. Thus, the name Krishna indicates the Supreme Brahman who is the acme of these two characteristics.

 

ramante yogino'nante satyananda-cid-atmani

iti rama-padenasau para-brahmabhidhiyate

 

The yogis take pleasure in the Supreme Self which is existence, knowledge and bliss absolute. Therefore that truth, known as the Param Brahman is also called Rama. (Rama-tapaniyopanisad 1.6)

 

(2)

Mahamantrasya madhuryamayi vyakhya

 

The Lord's intimate qualities revealed in the Mahamantra

 

vijnapya bhagavat-tattvam cid-ghanananda-vigraham

haraty avidyam tat-karyam ato harir iti smrtah

 

The Lord is known as Hari because he takes away the ignorance of His devotees by revealing to them the actual nature of the Supreme Lord and His personal spiritual form.

 

harati krishna-manah krishnahlada-svarupini

ato harety anenaiva sri-Sri Radha parikirtita

 

Because she steals Krishna's mind, because she is the incarnation of Krishna's joy, Sri Radha is also known by the name Hara.

 

anandaika-sukha-svami syamah kamala-locanah

gokulanandano nanda-nandanah krishna iryate

 

The dark, lotus-eyed Lord, the only master of the highest joy, who brings pleasure to Gokula, the son of Nanda, is known as Krishna.

 

vaidagdhya-sara-sarvasvam murta-liladhidaivatam

sri-Sri Radham ramayan nityam rama ity abhidhiyate

 

Krishna is also known as Rama because the joys of conjugal life are the essence of His being, because He is the tutelary deity of loving sports incarnate, and because He brings pleasure to Srimati Radharani.

 

(3)

Mahamantrasya yugalasmaranamayi vyakhya

 

Remembering the Divine Couple through the Mahamantra

 

mano harati krishnasya krishnahlada-svarupini

tato hara sri-Sri Radhaiva tasyah sambodhanam hare

 

Because she steals Krishna's mind and because she is the embodiment of Krishna's divine joy, Sri Radha is known as Hara. Hare is the vocative form of that name.

 

apagrhya trapam dharmam dhairyam manam vraja-strinam

venuna karsati grhat tena krsno 'bhidhiyate

 

Because he robbed the women of Vraja of their shame, their religious principles, their self-possession, and their pride, and through the playing of His flute drew them out of their homes and into the forest, He is known as Krishna.

 

ramayaty anisam rupa-lavanyair vraja-yositam

manah-pancendriyaniha ramas tasmat prakirtitah

 

Krishna is glorified by the name Rama because He constantly causes the Vraja cowherd women's minds and senses to enjoy the charms of His beauty.

 

 

 

--

 

Hare Krishna Mahamantra - references

 

Vedic mantra on the same level as "om", so powerful that it needs (contrary to other mantras) no rishi, devata, nyasa etc.

 

The mahamantra is mentioned in various scriptures as the ***only*** means of deliverance in this age of Kali:

 

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam

natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate

 

The sixteen names of the Hare Krishna mahamantra: hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare destroy all the inauspiciousness of the age of Kali. This is the conclusion of all the Vedas. (Kali-santarana Upanisad from Krishna Yajur Veda)

 

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

ratanti halaya vapi te krtartha 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. (Agni Purana)

 

harir eva samaradhyah sarva deve suresvarah

hari nama maha mantrair nasyatpapa pisacakam

 

All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the Mahamantra, are removed. (Padma Purana, Svarga Khanda 50.6)

 

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

sodasaitani namani dvatrimsad varnakani hi

kalau yuge maha-mantrah sammato jivatarane

varjayitva tu namaitad durjanaih parikalpitam

chandobaddham susiddhanta viruddham nabhyaset padam

tarakam brahma-namaitad brahmana gurunadina

kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh

praptam sri brahma-sisyena sri naradena dhimata

namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah

utsrjyaitan-maha-mantram ye tvanyat kalpitam padam

mahanameti gayanti te sastra-guru langhanah

tattva-virodha-sanprktam tadrsam daurjanam matam

sravatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

 

Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare: This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the mahamantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this mahamantra and take to other so-called purificatory processes which are practiced by rascals, or engage in chanting other metrical compositions of the name of Krishna that are against the pure conclusions of the scriptures, or are filled with rasaabhaas. About this divinely spiritual mahamantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said, kali-santararadi sruti, "The srutis have declared this mantra to be the best means of deliverance in the age of Kali". Having all heard this from Brahma, the sons and disciples of Brahma, beginning with Narada, all accepted the Hare Krishna mahamantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection. (Ananta-samhita)

 

Ananta-samhita is a Pancaratra agama, part of the pancaratra corpus known collectively among Gaudiya Vaisnavas as the Narada Pancaratra)

 

Mahamantra is further mentioned in CC Antya 9.56, CB Madhya 23.76-77, Narada Pancaratra etc.

 

hare krishna krsneti krsneti mukhyan

mahascarya-namavali-siddha-mantran

krpa-murti-chaitanya-deva upagitan

kadabhyasya vrndavane syan krtartha

 

When will my heart become satiated by perfecting the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra in Sri Vrindavan Dham, which the most merciful Sri Chaitanyadeva personally chanted and distributed to the fallen souls out of compassion? This wonderful mahamantra is mixed with the mellows of love and is the chief and the perfection of all other mantras. They are full of spiritual energies and glories. (Sri Vrindavana Mahimamrta by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati 17.89)

 

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur says in his song Sri Nama from Gitavali:

 

gaay gora madhur sware

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

 

Lord Gaurasundara sings in a very sweet voice, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Hare Krishna!