The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra is a powerful prayer mantra that makes one’s mind and soul pure and peaceful. It can put you on the path to salvation and provide a spiritual connection with Lord Krishna. It can help you attain a sense of consciousness and self-realization.
Origin Of The Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mantra
The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra is composed in the Sanskrit language. It is a Vaishnava mantra, i.e. it belongs to the Hindu sect of Lord Vishnu’s followers. It was first found in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, a sacred religious text of Hinduism. During the 15th century, this mantra gained prominence during the Bhakti movement (a religious movement). This movement was led by saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He aimed at spreading this mantra to different parts of the world as well as India. This mantra is dedicated to the two avatars of Lord Vishnu- Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
What Is The Mantra?
The 16-word mantra, also known as the Maha mantra, is as follows:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
According to the Vaishnava tradition, the third and fourth verses precede the first and second verse. This means that the verse starts with Hare Rama instead of Hare Krishna. The mantra is equally effective and has the same powers when chanted in either way. This mantra was mentioned in the Upanishad as a part of a conversation between Narada and Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma tells Narada about how the presence of the demon Kali can be countered by saying the name of Lord Narayana. The demon Kali is the source of all evil in the world. When Narada asks what the particular name of Lord Narayana is, Lord Brahma chants the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Maha mantra in response.
A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada spread the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the West, starting with New York City in the year 1965. He is responsible for making the Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra famous all over the world.
What Is The Meaning Of The Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mantra?
The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra lyrics can have more than one interpretation. Let us understand the meaning of every word in this mantra. The word Hare could be another form of ‘Hari’. Hari refers to a supreme form in the religious texts of Hinduism. It also refers to the Lord Brahma or Lord Narayana or Vishnu. It means ‘he who removes illusion’. Another way of understanding the word Hare is that it implies the energy or shakti or the consort of Lord Krishna. According to the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Vishnu takes on a human form on earth in very era to destroy all evil and ensure the rule of truth and justice.
Hare Rama could also mean Radha who is the beloved one of Lord Krishna. Lord Rama is also an earlier avatar of Lord Krishna. Or, Hare Rama could be understood as a shorter form of Lord Balarama who is the older brother of Lord Krishna.
Uttering the names of the supreme gods has a positive and purifying effect on the person who is chanting it. Hare is a derivation of the word Haran which means ‘to end’. Thus, when the mantra ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna’ is chanted, the devotee is praying to the Lord to end his or her troubles and sorrows. The chanting of this mantra has the potential to help achieve self-realization and develop a connection with the Almighty. It has the power to promote spiritual progress.
What Are The Benefits of Chanting This Mantra?
The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra benefits are wonderful and many. This mantra focusses on the name of Lord Krishna/Vishnu who is the creates and also maintains balance in the universe. Chanting of this mantra helps one to build a connection with God. This will help one detach from meaningless and materialistic pursuits, thus making way for inner peace.
When you chant this mantra, your mind goes into a meditative trance. It transforms all the negative energy into a positive form and channelizes it in the right direction. You can achieve self-realization and even attain liberation from Karma. Karma is the inevitable cycle of births and deaths every human goes through. When you start chanting this mantra, you get a deeper understanding of life and its meaning. This will help you evade the Karmic cycle.
This mantra can also help one have a successful approach to life. It improves your concentration and will power. It can prevent your mind from wavering often and help resist falling prey to the temporary pleasures of life.
When you chant this mantra, you will feel de-stressed and calm. You will be at peace with the world and live happily.
