Hare Krishna Mantra in English
The Hare Krishna Mantra, which reached the top of the European pop charts in 1969, had its inauguration. To inaugurate the Hare Krishna Mantra, it is meant to elevate consciousness to the highest possible level. The chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra is for peace, happiness, direct realization of God, liberation from reincarnation and death, and complete self-fulfillment. It is also known as the Maha Mantra – the Great Mantra – which includes three Sanskrit names for the Supreme Brahman: “Hare,” “Krishna,” and “Rama.”
The most common translation of this mantra is, “O Lord, O Lord, please engage me in Your service.” It can be chanted in Sanskrit for any spiritual benefit. This mantra was popularized by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century and promoted internationally for Hare Krishna awareness by Srila Prabhupada and his followers in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Hare Krishna Mantra
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare!
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!
What is Hare Krishna?
Krishna is the name of the Supreme, unique, and ultimate person, the source of all existence. God has many names, and each name reveals different aspects of His personality. Allah, Vishnu, Jehovah, and the Lord depict His glory and the role of the creator, protector, and spiritual guide of the universe. The name Krishna, “the all-attractive one,” displays His unparalleled attractiveness and beauty, like how He manifests for His most devoted devotees.
Krishna, in different forms or avatars, maintains and protects the creation, enjoying loving relationships with His countless associates in the spiritual realm. He occasionally descends to this physical world to free His devotees from material existence and destroy the wicked. He displays miraculous feats such as lifting mountains, swallowing forest fires, and defeating immensely powerful demons, much like a child playing with toys.
The term “Hare Krishna” can have various meanings in different contexts. In its most profound sense, it is a request for service to God in any form. It is also used to promote Krishna consciousness, teaching that every living soul has an eternal relationship with the Supreme Soul, and Hare Krishna’s teachings provide a framework for understanding and acting on that relationship.
Hare Krishna Movement and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness: The Inauguration of ISKCON
Hare Krishna also informs us of the Hare Krishna movement and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ISKCON was established in 1966 to promote the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, which describe the essential nature of every individual, the identity of the Supreme Person, and the means of re-establishing a connection with Him, known as devotional service or Krishna consciousness. As Hare Krishna mantra members extensively chant the Hare Krishna mantra, they are often referred to as “Hare Krishnas.”
Hare Krishna can also be used as a way of welcoming, expressing joy or sorrow, or as part of a larger celebration (akin to how Hawaiians use “Aloha” for both “hello” and “goodbye”). It’s a powerful way to attract one’s focus on Krishna consciousness or devotion, recommending service to the Lord, even in times of grief.
Hare Krishna: A Word that Signifies Everything!
The term ‘Hare Krishna’ signifies that ‘He is everything that exists.’ Krishna is the name of the supreme being, the foundation of all energies. ‘Hare’ is a way of conveying the divine energy of Krishna, also known as Srimati Radharani, the female aspect of the infinite truth. Whatever exists is either Krishna Himself or the energy of Krishna. Therefore, when you say ‘Hare Krishna,’ you have essentially said everything in a symbolic sense.
‘Hare Krishna’ is also extensively used by Krishna devotees as a warm welcome (similar to how ‘Aloha’ is used for both ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in Hawaiian), to express joy or sorrow as part of a grand celebration (with a touch of sentiment, similar to ‘Oy vey’ or ‘whoops’ in English), to draw attention (‘hey you!’), or even as an expression of emotion in grief. These are just a few examples of the use of words.
As mentioned above, ‘Hare Krishna’ can symbolically represent everything, at least for the followers of Hare Krishna. While other phrases have limited usage, ‘Hare Krishna’ can be used in any way at any time for any meaning, at least within the context of Hare Krishna.
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