Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

हरे कृष्ण महामंत्र (Hare Krishna Maha Mantra)

मंत्र (Mantra)

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण, कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ।
हरे राम हरे राम, राम राम हरे हरे ॥

Transliteration

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

Meaning

"O Lord Krishna, O energy of the Lord (Hare/Radha), O Lord Rama — please engage me in your devotional service."

The Three Divine Names

• हरे (Hare) — The divine energy of the Lord; also refers to Radha, the eternal consort of Krishna
• कृष्ण (Krishna) — "The All-Attractive" — the Supreme Personality of Godhead
• राम (Rama) — "The Source of All Pleasure" — also refers to Lord Rama

Significance

The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the supreme mantra for this age (Kali Yuga) as mentioned in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad.

• It contains 16 words and 32 syllables
• Chanting cleanses the heart, awakens dormant love for God, and brings peace
• Popularized worldwide by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and ISKCON
• No initiation or ritual qualification needed — anyone can chant

Practice

• Best Time: Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM - 6:00 AM)
• Recommended: 16 rounds on a Tulsi mala (1,728 times daily for serious practitioners)
• Method: Chant on 108-bead Tulsi mala, moving one bead per complete mantra
• Key Principle: Chant clearly and listen attentively to the sound