Sacred Mantra · Lord Krishna (Govinda, Vasudeva, Murlidhar)
Krishna Mantra (Hare Krishna Maha Mantra)
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Deity
Lord Krishna
Author
The Maha Mantra is from the Kali-Santarana Upanishad (a minor Upanishad of the Atharva Veda tradition). Lord Krishna's mantras also appear in the Bhagavata Purana (12.13.23)
Type
Vedic Mantra
Syllables
32
Significance: Devotion, joy, liberation, love, removal of karma
Benefits
- ◆Cleanses accumulated karma from many lifetimes (Kali Yuga remedy par excellence)
- ◆Instils inner peace, joy, and devotion (Bhakti)
- ◆Removes mental suffering, depression, and existential anxiety
- ◆Traditionally considered the supreme mantra for liberation (Moksha) in Kali Yuga
- ◆Effective for those with afflicted Jupiter or Moon seeking inner joy
- ◆Connects the chanter to Divine Love (the highest Vedantic principle)
When to Recite
Any time. Brahma Muhurta (dawn) and evening are traditionally preferred. Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday) is the most auspicious single day
Repetitions: Traditionally 16 rounds of 108 beads per day in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition (equals 1,728 times). Even one round (108 times) is deeply beneficial
How to Chant
- 1
The Maha Mantra can be chanted anywhere, anytime — no special preparation required
- 2
Sit or stand facing any direction; ideally in a clean, devoted state of mind
- 3
Use tulsi (holy basil) mala — the preferred mala in Vaishnava tradition
- 4
Chant aloud, softly (upanshu), or mentally (manasik) — all three have different effects
- 5
Kirtan (group singing) of the Maha Mantra is considered especially powerful
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra?
The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is a 32-syllable mantra from the Kali-Santarana Upanishad: 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare'. It invokes Krishna and Rama as the Supreme Person and Hare as the divine energy. It is the central practice of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, popularised globally by Srila Prabhupada (ISKCON).
Is Hare Krishna a Hindu mantra?
Yes. The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is a Vedic mantra recorded in the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, one of 108 Upanishads in the Atharva Veda tradition. It invokes Lord Vishnu's two primary avatars (Krishna and Rama) and has been chanted in India for centuries, well before ISKCON popularised it globally in the 1960s.
What does Hare Krishna mean?
Hare refers to Hari (Lord Vishnu/Krishna) and is also interpreted as an address to 'Hara' — the divine Shakti or energy of God. Krishna means 'all-attractive' (from the Sanskrit root 'karsh' — to attract). Rama means the reservoir of all pleasure (from 'ram' — to enjoy). Together, the mantra is an invocation of the Supreme Person and his divine energy.
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