The hare krsna maha-mantra is eternal, and in this world, the Hare Krsna movement is thousands upon thousands of years old. In the Western world, though, it is relatively new. It was introduced to America in 1965 by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada. “The Hare Krsnas”, as they have come to be known are often seen singing the maha-mantra – hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare – throughout the world’s town and villages.
 
Some people find they brighten and lift the heavy atmosphere of materialism that envelopes modern civilization. Others view them with reserve, not understanding their public chanting and dancing and not feeling comfortable to question it. We hope this booklet clarifies the authenticity of their practice.
India’s ancient Vedic texts unequivocally present the chanting of hare krsna as the formula for freeing oneself from all suffering and becoming established in one’s eternal spiritual position.
 
Absorption in chanting the maha-mantra is not indicative of sentimental religiosity or mindless fanaticism. Man means “mind” and tra means “to free”. Therefore, a mantra is not merely sound; it has a specific potency and acts to liberate one from the devitalizing nature of material consciousness. The maha-mantra, meaning the most exalted of all mantras, does this to the superlative degree. If it is chanted seriously, one becomes free from all mundane self-conception and firmly situated in one’s unique, blissful spiritual nature.
 
It is also written in the Vedas that the Supreme Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, advents to propagate the maha-mantra through His own deep immersion in it. To this day, the empowered pure Vaisnavas representing Him are fulfilling His mission. Indeed, this has been accomplished so effectively that millions of people the world over are aware of the maha-mantra, especially the first two words – hare krsna.
 
The sacred hare krsna maha-mantra bestows a tangible experience transcendence. When chanted perfectly, it enables direct communion with the Supreme Lord, that is, realization of one’s eternal, affectionate mood of service to Him.
 
This book is a priceless meditation for someone already deeply involved in the process of chanting the maha-mantra. Their spiritual practice will be invigorated and their faith in chanting strengthened by carefully studying its contents. The authoritative elaborations on the maha-mantra given herein are astounding and serve to refresh one’s appreciation of chanting. The gravity of the article by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura calls us to make the chanting of the hare krsna maha-mantra our life and soul. For the serious practitioner, this book is a most dear friend.
 
We are confident that any sincere enquirer who respectfully reads this book will recognize that chanting this maha-mantra, either congregationally or in solitude, is an authentic joyful process. And if, upon completing this text, that reader takes to uttering that sacred sound, we will feel most satisfied, as our saintly preceptors assure us that those who chant the hare krsna maha-mantra are bound for an experience of inner delight.
 
Contents
 
Introduction
i
Preface
vii
Sri Harinama Maha-mantra
1
The Sequence of the Maha-mantra
5
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Maha-mantra
23
Commentaries on the Maha-mantra
39
Elaboration on the sweetness of the name
39
Elaboration on the opulence within the name
41
The commentary that explains how the Divine Couple can be remembered within the name
42
Commentary by Srila Jiva Gosvami
43
Commentary by Sri Gopala Guru Gosvami
50
Commentary by Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
61
Commentary by Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura
62
Commentary on Sri Pada-Kalpataru
65
The Glories of Sri Harinama
69
The intrinsic form of the holy name
69
In Kali-yuga the holy name bestows all perfection
70
The glories of the holy name as described by the previous spiritual masters
72
The glories of chanting the holy name exceed the glories of realizing the impersonal brahma
73
The superiority of chanting the holy name
74
The superiority of chanting the holy name over meditation and temple worship
74
Chanting the holy name is not governed by rules regarding time, place or circumstance
75
Chanting the holy name is the process (sadhana) and the goal (sadhya) for everyone
77
"Harinama"
 
by Saccidananda Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
79
Glossary
101