The Hare Krishna movement is the popular name for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON carries on in the modern world a great ancient tradition rooted in the Bhagavad-Gita , the teachings Lord Krishna spoke five thousand years ago. The Gita and the other Vedic scriptures declare Krishna to be the original person, God Himself, who appears periodically in this world to liberate all living beings. Only five hundred years ago, Krishna descended as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach the most sublime and effective means of meditation for the present day: the chanting of the names of God, especially as found in the Hare Krishna mantra. Today, members of ISKCON continue Lord Caitanya's movement by distributing the teachings of Lord Krishna and the Hare Krishna mantra all over the world.What is Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra ? "HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HAREHARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE" - because the Vedas refer to it as the maha - mantra or "Great Mantra". This sixteen-word mantra is especially recommended as the easiest method for self-realization in the present age. Krishna is a Sanskrit name of God meaning "all attractive", and Rama is another name meaning "reservoir of pleasure". The divine energy of God is addressed as Hare. Vedic knowledge teaches that since we are all constitutionally servants of God, the chanting of His names is not an artificial imposition on the mind but is as natural as a child calling for its mother. There are two ways to chant the maha mantra: group chanting (kirtan) and softly saying the mantra to oneself (japa). The latter is done by using a string of 108 wooden prayer beads to enhance concentration. In both methods there are no hard and fast rules, and anyone can chant with good results.
ABOUT CHANTING: v Members of the Hare Krishna movement practice mantra meditation. In Sanskrit, manah means “mind” and tra means “freeing”. Mantra meditation clears the dust from the mirror of the mind so that we can see our original self. v WHAT DOES HARE KRISHNA AND RAM MEANS?v "Hare" stands for spiritual energy of the Supreme Lord, represented by Srimati Radharaniv "Krishna" literally means "the greatest pleasure," or "He who is all-attractive.”v “Ram” means "He who is full of spiritual bliss and attracts all others." v HOW TO CHANT THE MAHA-MANTRA: v Recite the Panca-tattva mantra 1 time before chanting Maha-Mantra:Jaya Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu NityanandaSri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura-bhakta-vrinda v Chant the below MAHA-MANTRA on beads called Japa Mala.“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare” v Chant the above Mantra on each bead from the head bead all the way around 108 beads. v Hear ATTENTIVELY the Mantra as you Chant.(Note:- Attentive hearing of the mantra will bring all knowledge and guidance from the Lord Sri Krishna as Paramaatma who is seated in everyone’s heart).
