What does “Hare Krishna” mean?
“Hare Krishna” refers to the Sanskrit prayer we sing (the maha-mantra, or “great chant for deliverance”) and to our Society. Since we are often seen chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we are referred to as the “Hare Krishnas.” The Hare Krishna mantra is composed of three Sanskrit words: Krishna , Rama and Hare. Krishna and Rama are both names for God. Krishna means “the all-attractive,” and Rama means “the supreme pleasure.” We can approach the all-attractive Supreme Lord, and experience the supreme pleasure of His company, through the help of His devotional or pleasure energy, Hare. The maha-mantra is a petition: “O Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your loving service.” By chanting Hare Krishna we become purified of material conditioning and become reinstated in our natural, eternal position as God’s servants.
Hare Krishna signifies Hari, the creator god in Vaishnava Hinduism. He’s referred to as Vishnu, Krishna (Krsna), and Narayana as well. His eternal consort is Hara. She’s referred to as Sri, Radha, and Lakshmi, as well. Hare is both of them. The connotation being that they’re eternally in love. Krishna and (Lord) Ram are straightforward translations.
“Hare Krishna” refers to the Sanskrit prayer we sing (the maha-mantra, or “great chant for deliverance”) and to our Society. Since we are often seen chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we are referred to as the “Hare Krishnas.” The Hare Krishna mantra is composed of three Sanskrit words: Krishna , Rama and Hare. Krishna and Rama are both names for God. Krishna means “the all-attractive,” and Rama means “the supreme pleasure.” We can approach the all-attractive Supreme Lord, and experience the supreme pleasure of His company, through the help of His devotional or pleasure energy, Hare. The maha-mantra is a petition: “O Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your loving service.” By chanting Hare Krishna we become purified of material conditioning and become reinstated in our natural, eternal position as God’s servants.
