Why Millions Are Chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra

The Hare Krishna mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra, or the Lord Krishna mantra, is a 16-word chant that has been used for centuries to bring about peace of mind and connect with the divine.

In this blog, we will delve into the meaning, significance, and the power of the Hare Krishna mantra, as well as the significance of the Lord Krishna mantra, "Hare ram hare ram ram ram hare."

Understanding the Hare Krishna Mantra

The Hare Krishna mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra, or the Lord Krishna mantra, is a 16-word mantra mentioned in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad.

It has been an integral part of Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism since ages and later adopted by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) which has been spreading the chants all over the world.

Here goes the full text of the mantra:

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

The Lord Krishna mantra is chanted to increase awareness of the higher power and connect to the ultimate divine, known as Krishna consciousness.

The state of Krishna consciousness is considered the highest level of spiritual realization, where one can experience the divine presence of Lord Krishna in every aspect of life.

This chant is considered the universal essence of all mantras, it transcends religious, cultural, and geographical boundaries, and is thus known as the Maha (Great) Mantra.

Since the 1960s, the Hare Krishna mantra has gained recognition outside India, when it was popularised by the Hare Krishna movement, founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The mantra is often sung along with melodies and musical instruments, resulting in a captivating Hare Rama Hare Krishna song that has touched millions of hearts worldwide. Another chant that resonates with many is the "Hare ram hare ram ram ram hare," a call to the divine energy of Lord Rama.

The mantra is a form of gaining self realization through the spiritual call-and-response chanting, known as kirtan, which is a central practice in bhakti yoga, the path of devotional service to God which finds its roots in the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the revered founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

When you chant the Hare Krishna mantra, it's like hearing the voice of the God which gives you the power to directly associate with the divine.

Meaning of the words: Hare, Krishna, Rama

The Hare Krishna mantra is a sacred Sanskrit verse made up of combination of three names of the Hindu Gods and their energies: "Hare," "Krishna," and "Rama."

"Hare" is the vocative form of "Hari," another name for Lord Krishna, which means "the one who removes illusion." Therefore, it directly addresses the energy of the Lord.

Rama and Krishna are the respective 7th and 8th avatars of Lord Vishnu.
"Krishna" means "the all-attractive one," and it refers to the original, unique Supreme Person, the source of all that exists.

Krishna is a Sanskrit word which implies the highest truth, the all-attractive, all-blissful, all-knowledgeable divine entity consisting of all good qualities in unlimited quantity be it strength, wisdom, wealth or renunciation to an infinite degree.

"Rama" means "the reservoir of pleasure." It refers to Lord Krishna, who is known as Radha-Raman, meaning the beloved of Radha and is also a shortened form of Balrama, Krishna's close associate. By chanting 'Rama' in the mantra, devotees are seeking to experience spiritual bliss.

In the phrase 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,' the word 'Hare' is a powerful invocation to the divine feminine aspect of God, who is also known as Radha.

Radha is the eternal consort of Krishna and embodies divine love and devotion. By repeating her name in the mantra, devotees are seeking her help in attaining pure love for God.

When put together, "Hare Krishna Hare Rama" is a call to the divine energies of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. It is an invocation to both the masculine (Krishna and Rama) and feminine (Hare) aspects of the Divine.

Therefore, when you chant the Hare Krishna mantra, you are directly addressing God and His energy. The mantra can be interpreted as "O Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your divine loving service."

Why You Should Chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra

The chanting of the powerful Krishna mantra is thought of to be a powerful way to work on your health (physical, mental, emotional) and spirituality.

According to the Krishna Consciousness movement, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra awakens love for Krishna, improves your self awareness and motivation, and offers a taste of blissful, eternal life beyond birth and death. It is considered a potent method of self-realization and spiritual awakening.

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What should you do after meditation?

Chanting the Shri Krishna mahamantra is not merely a mental exercise or rote recitation.

It is widely practiced as a form of meditation to help you ease the tension and pressure, both in your mind and body and help you unwind and freshen up the mind.

This practice allows the chanter to engage fully with the sound vibrations of the mantra, thereby purifying the mind, heart, and soul. Not just this, it has been noted that reciting this mantra by focusing on the words and manifesting the benefits help in controlling weight gain and high blood pressure.

Aligning with the Hare Krishna mantra goes beyond chanting - it's about connecting the mantra to your daily life through understanding its meaning, meditation, lifestyle choices, and service. Try Yojana- Align yourself on the Level SuperMind app to benefit from it.

The Influence of the Hare Krishna Chant in Society

The Hare Krishna mantra has found a place in popular culture, with the Hare Rama Hare Krishna chant being a notable example. This mantra has been incorporated into songs by prominent musicians like the Beatles, who were followers of the Hare Krishna movement.

George Harrison, a member of the Beatles, was a devoted follower of ISKCON and released a hit single, "My Sweet Lord," that includes the Hare Krishna mantra.

The Lord Krishna mantra holds a profound spiritual meaning and occupies a significant position in the practice of Krishna consciousness. When people chant this mantra, it helps them stay closer to the Lord and His divine energy. This in turn helps them feel peaceful and connected to something bigger than themselves.

Whether chanted individually or in a group, the mantra's sound vibrations are said to have a potent purifying effect so as to get rid of negative emotions and bad habits.

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This mantra, "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare" is considered to be a potent mantra that can purify the mind and awaken spiritual knowledge in the individual who chants it.

The main purpose is to seek peace and guidance from the divine energies of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. Derived from the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, this chant can be heard in the form of hymn or song in many temples and ashrams worldwide.

The Hare Krishna mantra is not exclusive to any particular religion or sect and can be chanted by anyone. So, go ahead and chant 'Hare Krishna Hare Rama' to reduce stress and anxiety, develop humility and tolerance, and to feel deeply connected to the love for God.

This chanting practice is often referred to as Krishna Consciousness, a state of being in constant remembrance of God, seeing oneself as the eternal servant of God.

The Hare Krishna chant is not merely a religious ritual but a profound medtation practice in the spiritual world that can transform one's life and consciousness.

The meaning of the Hare Krishna mantra extends beyond the words themselves, inviting the chanter into a deeper relationship with the divine.

In summary, the Hare Krishna mantra is more than just a chant or a song; it's a spiritual tool, a form of meditation, and a path to self-realization.

Hare Krishna mantra on Level Supermind

Keep in mind that what really matters is not the linguistic meaning, but the firm dedication and intention with which you practice the sound vibration of the mantra.

To fully experience the transformative power of the Hare Krishna mantra, try the Hare Krishna mantra (on the Level Supermind app) by the ultimate S.B. Keshava Swami Maharaj, a spiritual author, mentor and traveller who graduated from UCL (University College London) and then adopted full time monastic life to expand his knowledge and share his timeless teachings with the wider society.

Here's a short clip of the Hare Krishna mantra from the meditation series:

The 7-day Hare Krishna mantra series talks about the 6 elements to discipline the mind with chanting of the mantra, offering a way to connect with the divine and attain inner peace. Head over to the app and dwell in the world of joy, peace and happiness along with developing courage to face life's challenges.