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| The '''Hare Krishna''' ], also referred to as '''Maha Mantra''' ("Great Mantra") is a sixteen word ] mantra, popularized by the ]. | |||
| == Introduction == | |||
| The words "Hare Krishna" are part of a ] comprising ] names of ] (]) in the ] case of '']'' ("golden one"), '']'' and '']'' (both translating to "dark coloured one"), two ]s of Vishnu. According to Prabhupada, ''Krishna'' and ''Rama'' refer to God himself, while ''Hari'' refers to "the energy of God".{{ref|ref-1}} The words of the ] Mantra or "Great Mantra" are{{ref|ref-mantra}} (to the right, in ]): | |||
| ]]] | |||
| {|align="center" | |||
| The words "Hare Krishna" are part of a ] comprising ] names of ] in the ] case. This mantra is from an ancient text called the Kali Santarana ]. The word ] refers to the energy of the Lord{{ref|ref-1}}, and the words ] and ] refer to the Lord Himself. Although of ancient origins the ]-mantra, as it is often called, has become particularly well known in India ever since 500 years ago when ] (also known as ]) began a mission to spread it publically to 'every town and village' in the world. | |||
| ||Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna||''{{IAST|hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa}}'' | |||
| |- | |||
| ||Krishna Krishna Hare Hare||''{{IAST|kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare}}'' | |||
| |- | |||
| ||Hare Rama Hare Rama||''{{IAST|hare rāma hare rāma}}'' | |||
| |- | |||
| ||Rama Rama Hare Hare||''{{IAST|rāma rāma hare hare}}'' | |||
| |} | |||
| ⚫ | == History == | ||
| The words of the 'Maha' Mantra, or 'Great' Mantra are{{ref|ref-mantra}}: | |||
| The mantra is first attested in the '']'' (Kali Santarana ]{{ref|kali}}), a ] Upanishad associated with the ], where the two halves of the mantra appear in inverse order, viz. ''hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare / hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare''. (Of course, if repetitions of the mantras are run together, the outcome will be identical.) It was popularized by ] roughly around ] CE. The reason given for Caitanya inversion of the mantra is that he wanted to spread it to all the fallen souls of the current ], regardless of qualification. Since there were injunctions that the ] mantras (including those in Upanishads) are not to be chanted publicly or by members of the lower ]s, Caitanya reversed the two halves so as not to offend the orthodox ]. It is said to be equally potent either way and this way it could be freely distributed and chanted in public. | |||
| Following Caitanya, the mantra is referenced throughout ] literature, for example in the ] by ] (17:30-40). It has become increasingly popular since the ] through the ] founded by ], under the order of Bhaktisiddhanta, his ], to bring the teachings from India and to single-handedly spread them around the world. | |||
| '''HARE KRISHNA, HARE KRISHNA''' | |||
| '''KRISHNA KRISHNA, HARE HARE''' | |||
| '''HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA''' | |||
| '''RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE''' | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | == History == | ||
| The practice of chanting the ] mantra has existed for many thousands of years, especially within India. It has become increasing popular since the 1960's when an elderly monk known as ], on the order of his guru (Srila ]) brought the teachings from India and single-handedly took the responsibility of spreading them around the world. | |||
| == Chanting the Maha Mantra == | == Chanting the Maha Mantra == | ||
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| : "Krishna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; this ] is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived ...... This chanting of 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare' is directly enacted from the ] platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness - namely ], ], and ] ...... As such anyone can take part in the ] without any previous qualification." {{ref|ref-2}} | : "Krishna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; this ] is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived ...... This chanting of 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare' is directly enacted from the ] platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness - namely ], ], and ] ...... As such anyone can take part in the ] without any previous qualification." {{ref|ref-2}} | ||
| ⚫ | The mantra is repeated, either out-loud (]), softly to oneself (]), or internally within the mind. | ||
| == Modern |
== Modern day == | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| "Hare Krishna" brings to mind, to many, the famous Hare Krishna devotees, who first hit the streets of Western cities in the ] and ], dancing and chanting with drums and cymbals, wearing saffron ] or ], and selling ]. These devotees were members of the ] (]) founded by ]. ISKCON was the first organised ] group to make a large impression outside of ], now a number of such ] groups are actively preaching within the Western world such as surviving offshoots of the ] and The ]. | "Hare Krishna" brings to mind, to many, the famous Hare Krishna devotees, who first hit the streets of Western cities in the ] and ], dancing and chanting with drums and cymbals, wearing saffron ] or ], and selling ]. These devotees were members of the ] (]) founded by ]. ISKCON was the first organised ] group to make a large impression outside of ], now a number of such ] groups are actively preaching within the Western world such as surviving offshoots of the ] and The ]. | ||
| == Classification == | |||
| From a scholarly perspective Hare Krishna devotees are classified as practitioners of ] ]. They are also referred to as ], because they follow a line of gurus descending from ] who appeared in ] (Gauda is an old name of Bengal). ] comes under the general banner of being a ] religion. | From a scholarly perspective Hare Krishna devotees are classified as practitioners of ] ]. They are also referred to as ], because they follow a line of gurus descending from ] who appeared in ] (Gauda is an old name of Bengal). ] comes under the general banner of being a ] religion. | ||
| ⚫ | Most serious 'Hare Krishna' practitioners live according to very strict rules. For example it is expected that ] take ] to abstain from all forms of drugs & ] (including ]); avoid eating any meat, fish or eggs; not to engage in gambling; and also not to indulge in any sexual relations except for purposes of ] within ]. For non-initiates it is left to the individuals personal discretion as to how many of these rules they are sensibly able to follow, but these four 'Regulative Principles' remain as the agreed standard to aim towards. | ||
| ⚫ | == Scriptural references == | ||
| == Kali Santarana Upanishad == | |||
| For the full Content of Kali Santarana Upanishad including the Maha-Mantra see this following link: | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| The mantra as originally written/spoken was 'reversed' by ] 500 years ago so that the 'Hare Krishna' lines are said before 'Hare Rama'. The reason for this was that Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to spread this maha-mantra to all the fallen souls of this current age (]), regardless of qualification. Now, technically, there are ] injunctions that the Vedic mantras (such as this mantra of the Kali Santarana Upanishad) are not to be publically chanted, and they are never to be chanted by so-called 'lower ]s', etc. In order to solve the problem, while keeping within the context of the Vedas and thus not offending the 'orthodox' ], Mahaprabhu reversed the two halves. It is said to be equally potent either way and this way it could be freely distributed, chanted in public, etc. | |||
| ⚫ | == |
||
| The practice of ] the Hare Krishna mantra is recomended throughout the ] literature, for example: | The practice of ] the Hare Krishna mantra is recomended throughout the ] literature, for example: | ||
| ⚫ | *''"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 Purama | ||
| === Agni Purana=== | |||
| ⚫ | ''"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."'' | ||
| ⚫ | *''"When the sixteen names and thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krishna mantra are loudly vibrated, Krishna dances on one's tongue"''—Stava-mala-vidybhusana-bhasya; Baladeva Vidyabusanain Bhaktisiddhanta's Gaudiya Kanthahara 17:30 | ||
| === Stava-mala-vidybhusana-bhasya === | |||
| ⚫ | ''"When the sixteen names and thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krishna mantra are loudly vibrated, Krishna dances on one's tongue"'' | ||
| ⚫ | *''"This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable ] is the Maha-mantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this mahamantra."''—Ananta-samhita | ||
| Baladeva Vidyabusanain Bhaktisiddhanta's Gaudiya Kanthahara 17:30 | |||
| ⚫ | *''"About this divinely spiritual Maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord ], has said '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 ], all accepted the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection."''—Ananta-samhita | ||
| === Ananta Samhita === | |||
| ⚫ | ''"This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable ] is the Maha-mantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this mahamantra."'' | ||
| ⚫ | ::Ananta-samhita is a Pancharatra agama, part of the pancaratra corpus known collectively among ]s as the ] Pancaratra. | ||
| ⚫ | ''"About this divinely spiritual Maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord ], has said '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 ], all accepted the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection."'' | ||
| ⚫ | *''"All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri ], the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the Maha-mantra, are removed."''—Padma Purana; Svarga Khanda 50.6 | ||
| ⚫ | Ananta-samhita is a Pancharatra agama, part of the pancaratra corpus known collectively among ]s as the ] Pancaratra. | ||
| == Hippie culture == | |||
| ⚫ | ''"All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri ], the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the Maha-mantra, are removed."'' | ||
| Svarga Khanda 50.6 | |||
| == Hippie Culture == | |||
| In the 1970s, Hare Krishnas became understandably confused with the ] ]. The 1971 Hindi film "HARE RAMA, HARE KRISHNA", written and directed by ], was shot with many real-life hippie extras. To this very day, as a result of this movie classic, young Western travelers are greeted with mocking renditions of the film’s hit title song, “Hare Krishna, Hare Ram” but which is more generally known by its opening line, “Dum maro dum, ...... Take another toke!” | In the 1970s, Hare Krishnas became understandably confused with the ] ]. The 1971 Hindi film "HARE RAMA, HARE KRISHNA", written and directed by ], was shot with many real-life hippie extras. To this very day, as a result of this movie classic, young Western travelers are greeted with mocking renditions of the film’s hit title song, “Hare Krishna, Hare Ram” but which is more generally known by its opening line, “Dum maro dum, ...... Take another toke!” | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| == Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| # {{note|ref-1}} "The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama (which mean "the highest pleasure eternal") are forms of addressing the Lord Himself." - ]. See article. | # {{note|ref-1}} "The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama (which mean "the highest pleasure eternal") are forms of addressing the Lord Himself." - ]. See article. | ||
| # {{note|ref-mantra}} See for more |
# {{note|ref-mantra}} See for more information regarding ISKCON teachings about the Maha Mantra. | ||
| ⚫ | # {{note|kali}} See also the , including the ] Mantra. | ||
| # {{note|ref-2}} For the original text, see this article. | # {{note|ref-2}} For the original text, see this article. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| Line 102: | Line 74: | ||
| * (lectures & essay database by various Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologians) | * (lectures & essay database by various Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologians) | ||
| ;ISKCON | |||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| Line 108: | Line 81: | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | |||
| {{Hinduism}} | {{Hinduism}} | ||
Revision as of 08:46, 23 December 2005
The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to as Maha Mantra ("Great Mantra") is a sixteen word Vaishnava mantra, popularized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
The words "Hare Krishna" are part of a mantra comprising Sanskrit names of God (Vishnu) in the vocative case of Hari ("golden one"), Krishna and Rama (both translating to "dark coloured one"), two avatars of Vishnu. According to Prabhupada, Krishna and Rama refer to God himself, while Hari refers to "the energy of God". The words of the Maha Mantra or "Great Mantra" are (to the right, in IAST):
| Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna | hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa |
| Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare |
| Hare Rama Hare Rama | hare rāma hare rāma |
| Rama Rama Hare Hare | rāma rāma hare hare |
History
The mantra is first attested in the kalisaṇṭāraṇopaniṣad (Kali Santarana Upanishad), a Viashnava Upanishad associated with the Black Yajurveda, where the two halves of the mantra appear in inverse order, viz. hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare / hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare. (Of course, if repetitions of the mantras are run together, the outcome will be identical.) It was popularized by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu roughly around 1500 CE. The reason given for Caitanya inversion of the mantra is that he wanted to spread it to all the fallen souls of the current Kali Yuga, regardless of qualification. Since there were injunctions that the Vedic mantras (including those in Upanishads) are not to be chanted publicly or by members of the lower castes, Caitanya reversed the two halves so as not to offend the orthodox Brahmins. It is said to be equally potent either way and this way it could be freely distributed and chanted in public.
Following Caitanya, the mantra is referenced throughout Gaudiya Vaishnavism literature, for example in the Gaudiya Kanthahara by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (17:30-40). It has become increasingly popular since the 1960s through the International Society for Krishna Consciousness founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, under the order of Bhaktisiddhanta, his guru, to bring the teachings from India and to single-handedly spread them around the world.
Chanting the Maha Mantra
Srila Prabhupada describes the process of chanting the Maha Mantra as follows:
- "Krishna 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 ...... This chanting of 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare' is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness - namely sensual, mental, and intellectual ...... As such anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification."
The mantra is repeated, either out-loud (kirtan), softly to oneself (japa), or internally within the mind.
Modern day
"Hare Krishna" brings to mind, to many, the famous Hare Krishna devotees, who first hit the streets of Western cities in the 1960s and 1970s, dancing and chanting with drums and cymbals, wearing saffron dhotis or saris, and selling books. These devotees were members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ISKCON was the first organised Vaishnava group to make a large impression outside of India, now a number of such Vaishnava groups are actively preaching within the Western world such as surviving offshoots of the Gaudiya Math and The Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission.
From a scholarly perspective Hare Krishna devotees are classified as practitioners of Bhakti Yoga. They are also referred to as Gaudiya Vaishnavas, because they follow a line of gurus descending from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who appeared in Bengal (Gauda is an old name of Bengal). Vaishnavism comes under the general banner of being a Hindu religion.
Most serious 'Hare Krishna' practitioners live according to very strict rules. For example it is expected that initiates take vows to abstain from all forms of drugs & intoxication (including caffeine); avoid eating any meat, fish or eggs; not to engage in gambling; and also not to indulge in any sexual relations except for purposes of procreation within marriage. For non-initiates it is left to the individuals personal discretion as to how many of these rules they are sensibly able to follow, but these four 'Regulative Principles' remain as the agreed standard to aim towards.
Scriptural references
The practice of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is recomended throughout the Vedic literature, for example:
- "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 Purama
- "When the sixteen names and thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krishna mantra are loudly vibrated, Krishna dances on one's tongue"—Stava-mala-vidybhusana-bhasya; Baladeva Vidyabusanain Bhaktisiddhanta's Gaudiya Kanthahara 17:30
- "This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the Maha-mantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this mahamantra."—Ananta-samhita
- "About this divinely spiritual Maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said '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 Maha-mantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection."—Ananta-samhita
- Ananta-samhita is a Pancharatra agama, part of the pancaratra corpus known collectively among Gaudiya Vaisnavas as the Narada Pancaratra.
- "All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the Maha-mantra, are removed."—Padma Purana; Svarga Khanda 50.6
Hippie culture
In the 1970s, Hare Krishnas became understandably confused with the hippie subculture. The 1971 Hindi film "HARE RAMA, HARE KRISHNA", written and directed by Dev Anand, was shot with many real-life hippie extras. To this very day, as a result of this movie classic, young Western travelers are greeted with mocking renditions of the film’s hit title song, “Hare Krishna, Hare Ram” but which is more generally known by its opening line, “Dum maro dum, ...... Take another toke!”
Notes
- "The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama (which mean "the highest pleasure eternal") are forms of addressing the Lord Himself." - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. See Krishna.com article.
- See Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance for more information regarding ISKCON teachings about the Maha Mantra.
- See also the full text of the Kali Santarana Upanishad, including the Maha Mantra.
- For the original text, see this Krishna.com article.
See also
External links
- Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Maharaj website
- Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhar Maharaj website
- World Vaishnava Association
- Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti
- Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library (lectures & essay database by various Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologians)
- ISKCON
- krishna.com All About Krishna
- Hear the Hare Krishna Mantra
- ISKCON website
- ISKCON youth
- VEDA - Vedic Knowledge Online
