Kirtana Yoga and the Maha-mantra

The Maha-mantra
The Hare Krishna maha-mantra—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—is known as the greatest (maha) of all mantras because it contains the potency of all other spiritual sound.

Chanting the maha-mantra is thus the most popular and effective form of kirtana. The maha-mantra is also considered the greatest chant because unlike other mantras it aims only for service to God. While the chanter of other mantras generally wants some earthly reward—health, daily bread, the protection of loved ones—the chanter of the maha-mantra asks only to be used as God’s instrument, to serve Him in love and devotion without any expectation of return. Srila Prabhupada gives us the following translation: “O Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your divine service.”

Since the maha-mantra is composed solely of the names of God, how does one arrive at this translation? Simply put, the names composing the mantra are in the vocative case, used when petitioning or calling out to someone. So Hare means “O Radha,” as Hare is the vocative form of Hara, a name for Radha, who personifies devotion to Krishna. Since Rama is a name for Krishna, the maha-mantra is a heartfelt petition to Radha-Krishna. What does the chanter of the maha-mantra ask of Radha-Krishna? Only for the privilege of serving Them in pure love.

A Deeper Meaning

The maha-mantra is a prayer with great depth that extends from a simple glorification of the Lord to an urgent request: “Please engage me in Your service.” And yet it goes further still. Great acaryas, pure teachers who have passed down the mantra in disciplic succession, explain it in various deep ways.

For example, Dhyanacandra Gosvami, one of Lord Caitanya’s associates, explains it as follows: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna”—the first four words of the mantra—refer to Radha and Krishna in union, celebrating Their love together (sambhoga bhava). “Krishna Krishna” signifies Their separation (vipralambha bhava). Radharani is calling, “Krishna! Krishna! Where is My Krishna? Oh, please tell me, where is My Krishna?” In the next two words, Krishna calls out, too: “Hare! Hare! Where is My Radharani?”

In the first half of the mantra, then, one finds the feelings of union and longing—spiritual emotions that bring intense realization and satisfaction. In the second half of the mantra, the same emotions increase and intensify. Krishna is called Rama because He is the source of all pleasure (rama). He is also called Radha-Ramana, or the joy of Radha.

“Hare Rama, Hare Rama” means that Krishna is feeling ecstasy in the company of His darling Radharani. The divine lovers, Radha and Krishna, are together again, swimming in the reservoir of pleasure simply by being in each other’s company.

But then, “Rama Rama.” They’re separated once again. Radha is crying, “Where is that ecstasy I had with Krishna? Where is He?” She calls out His name twice: “Rama! Rama!” And He is also crying: “Hare! Hare! Where is the ecstasy I felt with Radharani? Where is My beloved?” So in both halves of the mantra there is union and separation. And as one advances spiritually, by engaging in kîrtana, one can appreciate these emotions more and more.

Bio: Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa) is an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is also founding editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies and associate editor for Back to Godhead. He has published twenty-one books in numerous languages, including the recent Essential Hinduism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008) and the Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting (FOLK Books, 2008).

BADA HARIDAS

Bada Haridas artistically weaves together his many influences, creating unique music for his kirtan chants. As a sincere practitioner of bhakti yoga, there is a depth to his music and a quality of his singing that is both inspiring and healing.

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