On Chanting

What does the Hare Krishna Mantra mean?

The mantra is a spiritual call to the Lord, meaning, “Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in the loving service of Lord Krishna.”

Who is Krishna?

Krishna is a name of the Supreme Lord, or God. It means “the all-attractive person.” And “Rama” means “the source of all pleasure.” Each of us, every living entity, seeks pleasure. But we do not know how to seek pleasure perfectly. With a materialistic concept of life, we are frustrated at every step in satisfying our pleasure because we are constantly being told to enjoy through our bodily senses. To enjoy real pleasure, one must first understand that he is not the body but consciousness, or the spirit within.

Why chant Hare Krishna?

The Hare Krishna mantra is a spiritual sound vibration, which is like nourishment for the inner-self. It allows us to associate with Krishna directly because Krishna is not different from His name. That God’s names are transcendentally powerful is celebrated by all religious traditions (example, “Hallowed by Thy Name”).

Everyone knows that a happy life requires good health. A proper diet, adequate exercise, and sufficient rest are necessary to keep our bodies strong and fit. More important, but less well known, is the inner-self’s need for spiritual nourishment and attention. If we ignore our spiritual health requirements, we become overwhelmed by negative material tendencies like anxiety, hatred, and loneliness.

The potency necessary for developing complete psychological and spiritual fulfilment is already present within everyone. It must, however, be uncovered by a genuine spiritual process.

Of all such authentic processes, India’s timeless Vedas tell us that meditation on the Hare Krishna mantra is the most powerful.

The power of transcendental sound

It may be somewhat surprising for the average Westerner to hear about the power within the vibrations of mantras, but the potency is real. For example, any numerologist will tell you that by associating with particular sound vibrations one becomes influenced by them.

According to the predominant types of sound vibration people associate with through T.V. and radio, or in reading articles in magazines and newspapers, they become attracted to certain things or drawn towards certain viewpoints. When television shows, songs on the radio, stories in magazines, and advertising everywhere propagates the concern for temporary sense pleasure, then people lose their interest in their spiritual goal of life. They simply become absorbed in the mundane thoughts of whatever type of sound vibration that enters their consciousness.

The mind is especially affected by the kind of sound energy it picks up or tunes into. By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, it helps re-direct the minds attention to Krishna, and our loving relationship with Him. The soul by nature already loves Krishna, but that relationship has been covered over by the material energy. The spiritual potency of the Hare Krishna mantra can help us to revive that eternal love for the Lord. This is the power of transcendental sound vibrations.

What’s the benefit of chanting Hare Krishna?

In the preliminary stages of chanting, the practitioner experiences peace of mind, and relief from unwanted drives and habits. As one develops more realization by chanting, one perceives the original, spiritual existence of the self, and one can understand one’s relationship with the Lord.

The founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhupada, very nicely explains that: “We have practical experience that any person who is chanting the holy names of Krishna (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) in due course of time feels some transcendental pleasure and very quickly becomes purified of all material contamination.”

 

Chanting Hare Krishna is for everyone

This Hare Krishna Mantra is a universal chant, it can be chanted by anyone. It is for people of all religions, all nations, all colours, and both sexes. There’s no need to pay any fees, join any group, or turn your life around. It only requires your time and effort. Furthermore the people who chant Hare Krishna are developing good character, gaining knowledge of both the material and spiritual worlds, and helping others to also become free from material anxiety.

So, whoever you are, whatever you do, you can try the chanting for yourself and experience its result.

Chant “Hare Krishna” and be Happy!