Explanations of the Maha Mantra
Explanations of the Maha Mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
(1)
The Lord’s divine qualities revealed in the Maha Mantra
harati tri-vidhaṁ tāpaṁ janma-koṭi-śatodbhavam
pāpaṁ ca smaratāṁ yasmāt tasmād dharir iti smṛtaḥ
The Lord is known as Hari because, for those who remember Him, He takes away the sins and three types of suffering accumulated over millions of births.
kṛṣi bhūr-vācakaḥ śabdo ṇaś ca nirvṛti-sūcakaḥ
tayor aikyaṁ paraṁ brahma kṛṣṇa ity abhidhīyate
The root kṛṣ indicates the supreme attractiveness of the Lord, the suffix ṇa indicates supreme joy. Thus, the name Krishna indicates the Supreme Brahman who is the sum total of these two characteristics.
ramante yogino’nante saty ānanda-cid-ātmani
iti rāma-padenāsau para-brahmābhidhīyate
Yogis take pleasure in the Supreme Self, which is existence, knowledge and bliss absolute. Therefore that truth, known as the Param Brahman is also called Rama. (Rāma-tāpanīyopaniṣad, 1.6)
(2)
The Lord’s intimate qualities revealed in the Maha Mantra
mahāmantrasya mādhuryamayī vyākhyā
vijñāpya bhagavat-tattvaṁ cid-ghanānanda-vigraham
haraty avidyāṁ tat-kāryam ato harir iti smṛtaḥ
The Lord is known as Hari, for he takes away the ignorance of His devotees by revealing to them both His actual nature as Supreme Lord and His personal spiritual form.
harati kṛṣṇa-manaḥ kṛṣṇāhlāda-svarūpiṇī
ato harety anenaiva śrī-rādhā parikīrtitā
Because She steals Krishna’s mind and because She is the incarnation of Krishna’s joy, Radha is also known by the name Harā.
ānandaika-sukha-svāmī śyāmaḥ kamala-locanaḥ
gokulānandano nanda-nandanaḥ kṛṣṇa īryate
The son of Nanda, the dark, lotus-eyed lord, the only master of the highest joy who brings pleasure to Gokula is known as Krishna.
vaidagdhya-sāra-sarvasvaṁ mūrta-līlādhidaivatam
śrī-rādhāṁ ramayan nityaṁ rāma ity abhidhīyate
Krishna is also known as Rama because the joys of conjugal life are the essence of His being, because He is the titulary deity of loving sports incarnate, and because He brings pleasure to Srimati Radharani.
(3)
Mahā-mantrasya yugala-smaraṇa-mayī vyākhyā
Remembering the Divine Couple through the Maha Mantra
mano harati kṛṣṇasya kṛṣṇāhlāda-svarūpiṇī
tato harā śrī-rādhaiva tasyāḥ sambodhanaṁ hare
Because She steals Krishna’s mind and because She is the embodiment of Krishna’s divine joy, Radha is known as Harā. [Hare is the vocative form of that name.]
apagṛhya trapāṁ dharmaṁ dhairyaṁ mānaṁ vraja-strīṇām
veṇunā karṣati gṛhāt tena kṛṣṇo’bhidhīyate
Krishna is known by that name because He robbed the women of Vraja of their shame, their religious principles, their self-possession and their pride, and through the playing of His flute drew them out of their homes and into the forest.
ramayaty aniśaṁ rūpa-lāvaṇyair vraja-yoṣitām
manaḥ pañcendriyāṇīha rāmas tasmāt prakīrtitaḥ
Krishna is glorified by the name Rama because He constantly causes the Vraja cowherd women’s minds and senses to enjoy the charms of His beauty.
—o)0(o—
II.
Gopal Guru Goswami’s explanations of the Maha Mantra
(1)
hare - he hare, mac-cittaṁ hṛtvā bhava-bandhanān mocaya |
Hare! O Hari, steal my mind and deliver me from bondage to this material world.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, mac-cittam ākarṣaya |
Krishna! O Krishna, attract my mind.
hare - he hare, sva-mādhuryeṇa mac-cittaṁ hara |
Hare! O Hari! Capture my mind with the sweetness of Your name, form and pastimes.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, sva-bhakta-dvārā bhajana-jñāna-dānena mac-cittaṁ śodhaya |
Krishna! O Krishna! Send me the association of Your devotees who will purify my mind through instructions about Your devotional service.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, nāma-rūpa-guṇa-līlādiṣu man-niṣṭhāṁ kuru |
Krishna! O Krishna! Give me unflinching faith in Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, rucir bhavatu me |
Krishna! O Krishna! Give me a taste for Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.
hare - he hare, nija-sevā-yogyaṁ māṁ kuru |
Hare! O Hari! Make me worthy to engage in Your service.
hare - he hare, sva-sevām ādeśaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Order me personally in the service You wish me to perform.
hare - he hare, sva-preṣṭhena saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ śrāvaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Talk to me about Your own favorite pastimes with Your beloved Lord
rāma - he rāma, preṣṭhayā saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ māṁ śrāvaya |
Rāma! O Rāma! Talk to me about Your own favorite pastimes with Your beloved Radha.
hare - he hare, sva-preṣṭhena saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ darśaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Show me Your intimate pastimes with Your beloved Lord.
rāma - he rāma, preṣṭhayā saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ māṁ darśaya |
Rāma! O Rama! Show me Your intimate pastimes with Your beloved Radha.
rāma - he rāma, nāma-rūpa-guṇa-līlā-smaraṇādiṣu māṁ yojaya |
Rāma! O Rama! Engage me in hearing, chanting and remembering Your name, form, qualities, pastimes.
rāma - he rāma, tatra māṁ nija-sevā-yogyaṁ kuru |
Rāma! O Rama! As I enter into those pastimes by the path of meditation, make me worthy to engage in Your service.
hare - he hare, māṁ svāṅgīkṛtya ramasva |
Hare! O Hari! Please accept me and take pleasure from the service that I offer You.
hare - he hare, mayā saha ramasva |
Hare! O Hari! Take pleasure in me and enjoy with me.
(2)
hare - kṛṣṇasya mano haratīti harā rādhā, tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Radha is known as Harā because She steals Krishna’s mind. I call out to Her, O Hare! O Rādhe!
kṛṣṇa - rādhāyā manaḥ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ, tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! The Lord is known as Krishna because He attracts Radha’s mind. Therefore I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
hare - kṛṣṇasya loka-lajjā-dhairyādi sarvaṁ haratīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Radha steals Krishna’s sense of public shame and His self-possession. She steals everything of His and is thus known as Harā. I therefore call out to Her, O Rādhe! O Hare!
kṛṣṇa - rādhāyā loka-lajjā-dhairyādi sarvaṁ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! He drags away all of Radha’s sense of shame and Her self-possession. Therefore I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
kṛṣṇa - yatra yatra rādhā tiṣṭhati gacchati vā
tatra tatra sā paśyati krsno māṁ spṛśati,
balāt kañcukādikaṁ sarvaṁ karṣati haratīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna. Wherever Radha is standing, or wherever She happens to be going, She thinks, Krishna is watching Me, He is touching Me, He is pulling on my bodice. He is tugging at Me. I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
kṛṣṇa - punar harṣatāṁ gamayati vanaṁ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! Then Krishna makes Radha feel a thrill of excitement as He pulls Her toward the woods. I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
hare - yatra krsno gacchati tiṣṭhati vā tatra tatra paśyati rādhā mamāgre
pārśve sarvatra tiṣṭhatīti harā, tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Wherever Krishna goes, wherever He is situated, He sees Radha in front of Him, by His side, all around Him. In this way She disturbs His mind. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - punas taṁ kṛṣṇaṁ harati sva-sthānam abhisārayatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She once again steals Krishna away, making Him come to Her kunj. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - kṛṣṇaṁ vanaṁ harati vanam āgamayatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She once again steals Krishna away, making Him come into the forest. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
rāma - ramayati tāṁ narma-nirīkṣaṇādineti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna is known as Rama because He brings Radha pleasure with His joking words and loving glances. I call out to Him, O Krishna! O Rama!
hare - tātkālikaṁ dhairyāvalambanādikaṁ kṛṣṇasya haratīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She robs Krishna of the momentary self-control He is able to muster in Her presence. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
rāma - cumbana-stana-karṣaṇāliṅganādibhī ramate iti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna delights in kissing Radha, in touching Her breasts and in embracing Her. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
rāma - punas tāṁ puruṣocitāṁ kṛtvā ramayatīti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna causes Radha to reach the pinnacle of loving excitement, so that She becomes aggressively active in the love battle. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
rāma - punas tatra ramate iti rāmaḥ, tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! All this brings extra delight to Krishna. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
hare - punaḥ rāsānte kṛṣṇasya mano hṛtvā gacchatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Once again, at the end of the Rasa dance, as Radha leaves to return home, She steals Krishna’s mind and takes it away with Her. She is thus known as Harā, and I therefore call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - rādhāyā mano hṛtvā gacchatīti hariḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
tasya sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Krishna also steals Radha’s mind, taking it with Him as He leaves. He is thus known as Hari, and I call out to Him, O Krishna! O Hare!
—o)0(o—
Jiva Goswami’s Mahā-mantrārtha-vyākhyā
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare |
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare ||
(1)
sarva-ceta-haraḥ kṛṣṇas tasya cittaṁ haraty asau
vaidagdhī-sāra-vistārair ato rādhā harā matā
Krishna steals everyone’s mind, but Radharani steals even His when She makes use of Her divine talents. Therefore She is known as Harā.
(2)
karṣati svīya-lāvaṇya-muralī-kala-niḥsvanaiḥ
śrī-rādhāṁ mohana-guṇālaṅkṛtaḥ kṛṣṇa īryate
Because He forcibly pulls Radha from Her home with the sound of His flute filled with His loveliness, that Lord of all enchanting virtues is known as Krishna.
(3)
śrūyate nīyate rāse hariṇā hariṇekṣaṇā
ekākinī rahaḥ-kuñje hareyaṁ tena kathyate
It is heard that the doe-eyed Radha was taken by Krishna during the Rasa dance to spend time with Him alone in a secret grove in the forest. She is therefore known as Harā.
(4)
aṅga-śyāmalima-stomaiḥ śyāmalīkṛta-kāñcanaḥ
ramate rādhayā sārdhaṁ kṛṣṇo nigadyate
The black effulgence of Krishna’s body turns even the gold of Radharani’s skin to black when He embraces Her. He is thus known as Krishna.
(5)
kṛtvāraṇye saraḥ-śreṣṭhaṁ kāntayānumatas tayā
ākṛṣya sarva-tīrthāni taj-jñānāt kṛṣṇa īryate
When Radharani ordered Krishna to build the most beautiful water tank in the world [as a penance for killing Arishtasura], He called all the holy rivers and tanks to bring water to fill it. Thus He is known as Krishna.
(6)
kṛṣyate rādhayā premṇā yamunā-taṭa-kānanam
līlayā lalitaś cāpi dhīraiḥ kṛṣṇa udāhṛtaḥ
Because He is forcibly attracted into the forests on the Yamuna’s banks by Radha’s ecstatic love, where He becomes Her playful lover, He is known by the wise as Krishna.
(7)
hṛtavān gokule tiṣṭhann ariṣṭaṁ puṣṭa-puṅgavam
śrī-haris taṁ rasād uccai rāyatīti harā matā
While living in Gokula, Krishna destroyed the powerful demon known as Arishta. At that time, Radha called out to Him with great emotion. Doing so, she stole His mind and so is known as Harā.
(8)
hy asphuṭaṁ rāyati prīti-bhareṇa hari-ceṣṭitam
gāyatīti matā dhīrair harā rasa-vicakṣaṇaiḥ
Filled with sweet affection, Radha sometimes glorifies Krishna’s pastimes quietly, and sometimes She sings them aloud. Thus those who know the secrets of divine rasa call Her Harā.
(9)
rasāveśa-parisrastāṁ jahāra muralīṁ hareḥ
hareti kīrtitā devī vipine keli-lampaṭā
Sometimes Krishna becomes so absorbed in Radha’s love that His beloved flute slips from His hand. Mad with the desire to enjoy pastimes in the forest bowers with Krishna, Radha steals Krishna’s flute. That goddess is thus known as Harā.
(10)
govardhana-darī-kuñje parirambha-vicakṣaṇaḥ
śrī-rādhāṁ ramayāmāsa rāmas tena mato hariḥ
When Krishna, the expert embracer, makes love to Radha in the forest bowers or the caves of Govardhan, He is known as Rama.
(11)
hanti duḥkhāni bhaktānāṁ rāti saukhyāni cānvaham
harā devī nigaditā mahā-kāruṇya-śālinī
Radha most compassionately destroys the miseries of Her devotees and gives them great joy every single day. Therefore she is known as Harā.
(12)
ramate bhajataś cetaḥ paramānanda-vāridhau
atreti kathito rāmaḥ śyāmasundara-vigrahaḥ
Krishna, with His beautiful blackish form, submerges the minds of those who worship Him in an ocean of supreme bliss. Therefore He is known by the name Rama.
(13)
ramayaty acyutaṁ premṇā nikuñja-vana-mandire
rāmā nigaditā rādhā rāmo yutas tayā punaḥ
In a temple forest groves, Radharani brings the infallible Krishna to the pinnacle of joy with Her love. Therefore She is called Rāmā. Since Krishna is always by Her side, He is known as Rama.
(14)
rodanair gokule dāvānalam aśayati hy asau
viśoṣayati tenokto rāmo bhakta-sukhāvahaḥ
When Krishna heard the cries of the Vrajavasis, who were afraid of the forest fire, He quickly swallowed it up, drying their tears. By giving them joy in this way, He is known as Rama.
(15)
nihantum asurān yāto mathurā-puram ity asau
tadāgamad rahaḥ-kāmo yasyāḥ sā’sau hareti ca
Krishna left Vraja for Mathura in order to slay the demons, but later returned, drawn by the desire to be alone with Radha. Because She attracted Him back to Vraja, She is known as Harā.
(16)
āgatya duḥkha-hartā yo sarveṣāṁ vraja-vāsinām
śrī-rādhā-hāri-carito hariḥ śrī-nanda-nandanaḥ
When the son of Nanda returned to Vraja after many years in Mathura and Dvaraka, He took away all the distress of its residents. His every action steals the heart of Srimati Radharani, and so He is known as Hari.
—o)0(o—
Śrī Harināmārtha-ratna-dīpikā
“Illumination on the jewels of meaning in the Holy Name.”
by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami
śrī-kṛṣṇa-virahe śrī-rādhāyā mahā-mantra-kīrtanam
In Krishna’s absence, Radharani chants the Maha Mantra.
ekadā kṛṣṇa-virahād dhyāyantī priya-saṅgamam |
mano-bāṣpa-nirāsārthaṁ jalpatīdaṁ muhur muhuḥ ||
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare |
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare ||
One day, Radha was feeling separation from Krishna and was meditating on the reunion She hoped to have with Him. In order to rid Herself of the depression She felt in His absence, She began to repeatedly chant His names: hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare, hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare.
(1)
he hare ! sva-mādhuryeṇa mac-ceto harasi |
O Hare! You steal my mind with Your sweetness.
(2)
tatra hetur he kṛṣṇa ! iti kṛṣ-śabdasya sarvārthaḥ ṇaś ca ānanda-svarūpa iti svārthe ṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-svarūpaka iti svīyena sārva-dik-paramānandena sarvādhika-paramānandena vā pralobhyeti bhāvaḥ |
With Her next utterance of the name Krishna, She explains how that is possible. The name Krishna comes from the combination of the syllables kṛṣ, which means everything, and ṇa, which means an identity steeped in bliss. Thus Krishna is the form of eternity, knowledge and bliss, who attracts and tempts everyone in every direction with the supreme joy of His own being, a joy that is superior to any other.
(3)
tataś ca, he hare ! dhairya-lajjā-guru-bhayādikam api harasi ||
So, Hari, You take away even My most strongly-held character traits, like self-control, shame, and fear of My elders.
(4)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! sva-gṛhebhyo vanaṁ prati mām ākarṣasi ||
Then, Krishna, You draw Me out of My house and into the forest.
(5)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! vanaṁ praviṣṭāyā me kañcukīṁ
sahasaivāgatya karṣasi ||
Then, when I have entered the woods, You suddenly appear out of nowhere and start pulling on my blouse.
(6)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! mat-kucau karṣasi ||
Then, Krishna, You start touching My breasts.
(7)
tataś ca, he hare ! sva-bāhu-nibaddhāṁ māṁ puṣpa-śayyāṁ prati harasi
Then, O Hari, You wrap Me in Your arms and lead Me off to the bed of flower petals.
(8)
tataś ca, he hare ! tatra niveśitāyā me
antarīyam api balād dharasi ||
Then, O Hari, while I am sitting there helplessly, You tear off My skirt as well.
(9)
tataś ca, he hare ! antarīya-vasana-haraṇa-miṣeṇātma-viraha-pīḍāṁ
sarvām eva harasi ||
And so, O Hari, by taking the clothes off My body, You take away all the sufferings accumulated in My heart as a result of Your separation.
(10)
tataś ca, he rāma svacchandaṁ mayi ramase ||
Then, O Rama, You enjoy with Me to Your full satisfaction.
(11)
tataś ca, he hare ! yad avaśiṣṭaṁ kiñcin me vāmyam āsīt tad api harasi ||
By so doing, O Hari, whatever little recalcitrance was left in Me, that too was stolen by You.
(12)
tataś ca, he rāma māṁ ramayasi svasmin puruṣāyitām api karoṣi ||
And so, O Rama, I become so frenzied with passion that I take the initiative in lovemaking, like a man.
(13)
tataś ca, he rāma ramaṇīya-cuḍāmaṇe tava navīna-vaktra-mādhuryam api niḥśaṅkaṁ tad ātmānaṁ tava rāmaṇīyakaṁ man-nayanābhyāṁ dvābhyām evāsvādyate iti bhāvaḥ ||
Then, O Rama, You who are the crest-jewel of the charming! Without any interference, I can now relish the beauty of Your youthful face, indeed the very beauty of Your soul, with both of my eyes.
(14)
tataś ca, he rāma na kevalaṁ ramaṇa-rūpeṇāpi ramaṇa-kartṛ-ramaṇa-prayojakaḥ |
kintu tad-bhāva-rūpā rati-mūrtir iva tvaṁ bhavasīti bhāvaḥ ||
Then O Rama, not only do You engage Me in lovemaking by actively taking the role of a lover, even though this is true; it is as though You were also incarnate in the very act of love itself as its essence.
(15)
tataś ca, he hare ! mac-cetanā-mṛgīm api harasi,
ānanda-mūrcchāṁ prāpayasīti bhāvaḥ ||
Then, O Hari, You capture the deer of My mind like a lion. In other words, Your loving makes me faint with bliss.
(16)
yato he hare ! siṁha-svarūpa tad api rati-karmaṇi
prakaṭita-mahā-prāgalbhya iti bhāvaḥ ||
Because You are a lion, O Hari, You have shown such self-confidence, proficiency and boldness in the art of love.
evambhūtena tvayā preyasā viyuktā kṣaṇam api kalpa-koṭim iva kathaṁ yāpayituṁ prabhavāmīti svayam eva vicāraya iti nāma-ṣoḍaśakasyābhiprāyaḥ |
Being separated from You, my dearest lover, it seems that even a moment is like a million millennia. How then will I be able to suffer through this age-long separation? Please consider this fact.
tataś ca, nāmabhiś cumbakair iva kṛṣṇaḥ kṛṣṇayā sahasaivākṛṣṭo milita-paramānanda eva | tasyāḥ sva-sakhīnāṁ tat-parivāra-vargasya tad-bhāva-sādhakānām arvācīnānām api śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇau mānasaṁ sampūrayataḥ ||
This is the summary meaning of the sixteen names of the Maha Mantra. Krishna is attracted by Radha’s chanting of these magnet-like names and He suddenly appears to experience the ecstasy of union. May the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, fulfill the desires of Her sakhīs, His cowherd friends, as well as of all those who today are engaged in the practices of devotional service in the hope of one day attaining the same mood of love.
—o)0(o—
From Padakalpa-taru
Taken from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s footnote
to chapter 15, verse 110
The Holy Names are described in the words given below, taken from an anonymous song found in the collection known as the Pada-kalpataru, in the section entitled Ardha-bāhya-daśā-pralāpam (“Words spoken while halfway in external consciousness”). Like the above Sanskrit explanations of the Holy Name, each verse begins with one of the names of the Maha Mantra. Thus the first line begins with Hare, the second with Krishna, the third with Hare, the fourth with Krishna, and so forth until, verse after verse, the entire Maha Mantra is given.
This song appears to be inspired by Raghunath Das’ explanation given above, while adding an extra poetic dimension. The theme is the same: Separated from Lord Krishna, and accompanied by Her eight gopi friends, Srimati Radharani chants these names of Lord Krishna and imagines that She is enjoying pastimes with Him:
he hare ! mādhurya-guṇe harile ye netra-mane
mohana mūrati daraśāi
he kṛṣṇa ! ānanda-dhāma mahā-ākarṣaka-ṭhāma
tu’ā bine dekhite na pāi
“O sweet and glorious Hari! You have stolen My eyes and heart by showing Me Your enchanting. O Krishna! O abode of bliss! O most attractive form of beauty! I can see no one but You.”
he hare ! dhairaja hari guru-bhaya ādi kari
kulera dharama kaile cūra
he kṛṣṇa ! vaṁśīra svare ākarṣiyā āni’ bale
deha-geha-smṛti kaile dūra
“O Hari! You stole My calm self-control and ground My attachment to religious duty and My fear of My elders into dust. O Krishna! You attracted Me with the sound of Your flute, making Me forget My body and My home.”
he kṛṣṇa ! karṣita āmi kañculi karṣaha tumi
tā’ dekhi’ camaka mohe lāge
he kṛṣṇa ! vividha chale uraja karṣaha bale
thira naha ati anurāge
“O Krishna ! Being attracted, I come close to You and You tug at My bodice. This shocks and alarms Me. O Krishna ! You use whatever tricks You can to touch My breasts. Overcome with passion, You are unable to keep still.”
he hare ! āmāre hari’ laiyā puṣpa-talpopori
vilāsera lālase kākuti
he hare ! gopana vastra hariyā se kṣaṇa-mātra
vyakta kara manera ākuti
“O Krishna! You pull Me onto Your bed made of flowers and beg Me to enjoy with You. O Hari! You pull off My underclothes and in a moment reveal the intense desire in Your heart.”
he hare ! vasana hara tāhāte jemana kara
antarera hara jata bādhā
he rāma ! ramaṇa aṅga nānā vaidagdhi raṅga
prakāśi pūraha nija sādhā
“O Hari ! When You pull off My clothing and do all the things You do, You remove the last bits of resistance within Me. O Rama ! You are so beautiful, and so expert in making love; do as You wish with Me and fulfill all Your desires.”
he hare ! balite balī nāhi hena kutūhalī
sabāra se vāmya nā rākhilā
he rāma ! ramaṇa-rata tāhe prakaṭiyā kata
ki rasa āveśe bhāsāilā
“O Hari ! Though we may beg You to stop, pretending to be uninterested in Your advances, none of us can long keep up our resistance. O amorous Rama, showing Your expertise in love, You cause us to float in an ocean of nectar.”
he rāma ramaṇa-śreṣṭha mana ramaṇīya śreṣṭha
tu’ā sukhe āpani nā jāni
he rāma ramaṇa-bhāge bhāvite marame jāge
se rasa-mūrati tanu-khani
“O Rama, best of lovers ! O most charming, in the pleasure You bring Me, I completely forget Myself. O lover Rama! When I contemplate My good fortunate in having You for a lover, Your sweet nectarean form appears in My heart.
he hare ! haraṇa tora tahara nāhika ora
cetana hariyā kara bhora
he hare ! āmāra vakṣa hara siṁha-prāya dakṣa
tomā binā keha nāhi mora
“O Hari ! There is no end to Your thievery. You both steal and charm My heart. O Hari ! Take My heart as expertly as a lion. I have nothing in this world other than You.”
tumi se āmāra prāṇa tomā binā nāhi āna
khaneke kalapa śata jāya
se tumi anata giyā raha udāsīna haiyā
kaha dekhi ki kori upāya
“You are my life. Without You I have nothing. Without You every moment is like a hundred kalpas. Even so You abandoned Me, and are still indifferent towards Me. Tell Me what must I do to win Your heart.”
ohe nava-ghana-śyāma kevala rasera dhāma
kaiche raṁha kori mana jhure
caitanya celaya jāya hena anurāga pāya
tabe bandhu milaya adūre
“O Krishna ! You are dark like a new monsoon cloud, the unique abode of nectar, I remain here and weep. I fall unconscious. O My friend, You who are so far away, please return to Me.”
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
(1)
The Lord’s divine qualities revealed in the Maha Mantra
harati tri-vidhaṁ tāpaṁ janma-koṭi-śatodbhavam
pāpaṁ ca smaratāṁ yasmāt tasmād dharir iti smṛtaḥ
The Lord is known as Hari because, for those who remember Him, He takes away the sins and three types of suffering accumulated over millions of births.
kṛṣi bhūr-vācakaḥ śabdo ṇaś ca nirvṛti-sūcakaḥ
tayor aikyaṁ paraṁ brahma kṛṣṇa ity abhidhīyate
The root kṛṣ indicates the supreme attractiveness of the Lord, the suffix ṇa indicates supreme joy. Thus, the name Krishna indicates the Supreme Brahman who is the sum total of these two characteristics.
ramante yogino’nante saty ānanda-cid-ātmani
iti rāma-padenāsau para-brahmābhidhīyate
Yogis take pleasure in the Supreme Self, which is existence, knowledge and bliss absolute. Therefore that truth, known as the Param Brahman is also called Rama. (Rāma-tāpanīyopaniṣad, 1.6)
(2)
The Lord’s intimate qualities revealed in the Maha Mantra
mahāmantrasya mādhuryamayī vyākhyā
vijñāpya bhagavat-tattvaṁ cid-ghanānanda-vigraham
haraty avidyāṁ tat-kāryam ato harir iti smṛtaḥ
The Lord is known as Hari, for he takes away the ignorance of His devotees by revealing to them both His actual nature as Supreme Lord and His personal spiritual form.
harati kṛṣṇa-manaḥ kṛṣṇāhlāda-svarūpiṇī
ato harety anenaiva śrī-rādhā parikīrtitā
Because She steals Krishna’s mind and because She is the incarnation of Krishna’s joy, Radha is also known by the name Harā.
ānandaika-sukha-svāmī śyāmaḥ kamala-locanaḥ
gokulānandano nanda-nandanaḥ kṛṣṇa īryate
The son of Nanda, the dark, lotus-eyed lord, the only master of the highest joy who brings pleasure to Gokula is known as Krishna.
vaidagdhya-sāra-sarvasvaṁ mūrta-līlādhidaivatam
śrī-rādhāṁ ramayan nityaṁ rāma ity abhidhīyate
Krishna is also known as Rama because the joys of conjugal life are the essence of His being, because He is the titulary deity of loving sports incarnate, and because He brings pleasure to Srimati Radharani.
(3)
Mahā-mantrasya yugala-smaraṇa-mayī vyākhyā
Remembering the Divine Couple through the Maha Mantra
mano harati kṛṣṇasya kṛṣṇāhlāda-svarūpiṇī
tato harā śrī-rādhaiva tasyāḥ sambodhanaṁ hare
Because She steals Krishna’s mind and because She is the embodiment of Krishna’s divine joy, Radha is known as Harā. [Hare is the vocative form of that name.]
apagṛhya trapāṁ dharmaṁ dhairyaṁ mānaṁ vraja-strīṇām
veṇunā karṣati gṛhāt tena kṛṣṇo’bhidhīyate
Krishna is known by that name because He robbed the women of Vraja of their shame, their religious principles, their self-possession and their pride, and through the playing of His flute drew them out of their homes and into the forest.
ramayaty aniśaṁ rūpa-lāvaṇyair vraja-yoṣitām
manaḥ pañcendriyāṇīha rāmas tasmāt prakīrtitaḥ
Krishna is glorified by the name Rama because He constantly causes the Vraja cowherd women’s minds and senses to enjoy the charms of His beauty.
—o)0(o—
II.
Gopal Guru Goswami’s explanations of the Maha Mantra
(1)
hare - he hare, mac-cittaṁ hṛtvā bhava-bandhanān mocaya |
Hare! O Hari, steal my mind and deliver me from bondage to this material world.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, mac-cittam ākarṣaya |
Krishna! O Krishna, attract my mind.
hare - he hare, sva-mādhuryeṇa mac-cittaṁ hara |
Hare! O Hari! Capture my mind with the sweetness of Your name, form and pastimes.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, sva-bhakta-dvārā bhajana-jñāna-dānena mac-cittaṁ śodhaya |
Krishna! O Krishna! Send me the association of Your devotees who will purify my mind through instructions about Your devotional service.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, nāma-rūpa-guṇa-līlādiṣu man-niṣṭhāṁ kuru |
Krishna! O Krishna! Give me unflinching faith in Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.
kṛṣṇa - he kṛṣṇa, rucir bhavatu me |
Krishna! O Krishna! Give me a taste for Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.
hare - he hare, nija-sevā-yogyaṁ māṁ kuru |
Hare! O Hari! Make me worthy to engage in Your service.
hare - he hare, sva-sevām ādeśaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Order me personally in the service You wish me to perform.
hare - he hare, sva-preṣṭhena saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ śrāvaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Talk to me about Your own favorite pastimes with Your beloved Lord
rāma - he rāma, preṣṭhayā saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ māṁ śrāvaya |
Rāma! O Rāma! Talk to me about Your own favorite pastimes with Your beloved Radha.
hare - he hare, sva-preṣṭhena saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ darśaya |
Hare! O Harā, Radha! Show me Your intimate pastimes with Your beloved Lord.
rāma - he rāma, preṣṭhayā saha svābhīṣṭa-līlāṁ māṁ darśaya |
Rāma! O Rama! Show me Your intimate pastimes with Your beloved Radha.
rāma - he rāma, nāma-rūpa-guṇa-līlā-smaraṇādiṣu māṁ yojaya |
Rāma! O Rama! Engage me in hearing, chanting and remembering Your name, form, qualities, pastimes.
rāma - he rāma, tatra māṁ nija-sevā-yogyaṁ kuru |
Rāma! O Rama! As I enter into those pastimes by the path of meditation, make me worthy to engage in Your service.
hare - he hare, māṁ svāṅgīkṛtya ramasva |
Hare! O Hari! Please accept me and take pleasure from the service that I offer You.
hare - he hare, mayā saha ramasva |
Hare! O Hari! Take pleasure in me and enjoy with me.
(2)
hare - kṛṣṇasya mano haratīti harā rādhā, tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Radha is known as Harā because She steals Krishna’s mind. I call out to Her, O Hare! O Rādhe!
kṛṣṇa - rādhāyā manaḥ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ, tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! The Lord is known as Krishna because He attracts Radha’s mind. Therefore I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
hare - kṛṣṇasya loka-lajjā-dhairyādi sarvaṁ haratīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Radha steals Krishna’s sense of public shame and His self-possession. She steals everything of His and is thus known as Harā. I therefore call out to Her, O Rādhe! O Hare!
kṛṣṇa - rādhāyā loka-lajjā-dhairyādi sarvaṁ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! He drags away all of Radha’s sense of shame and Her self-possession. Therefore I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
kṛṣṇa - yatra yatra rādhā tiṣṭhati gacchati vā
tatra tatra sā paśyati krsno māṁ spṛśati,
balāt kañcukādikaṁ sarvaṁ karṣati haratīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna. Wherever Radha is standing, or wherever She happens to be going, She thinks, Krishna is watching Me, He is touching Me, He is pulling on my bodice. He is tugging at Me. I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
kṛṣṇa - punar harṣatāṁ gamayati vanaṁ karṣatīti kṛṣṇaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he kṛṣṇa !
Krishna! Then Krishna makes Radha feel a thrill of excitement as He pulls Her toward the woods. I call out to Him, O Lord! O Krishna!
hare - yatra krsno gacchati tiṣṭhati vā tatra tatra paśyati rādhā mamāgre
pārśve sarvatra tiṣṭhatīti harā, tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Wherever Krishna goes, wherever He is situated, He sees Radha in front of Him, by His side, all around Him. In this way She disturbs His mind. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - punas taṁ kṛṣṇaṁ harati sva-sthānam abhisārayatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She once again steals Krishna away, making Him come to Her kunj. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - kṛṣṇaṁ vanaṁ harati vanam āgamayatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She once again steals Krishna away, making Him come into the forest. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
rāma - ramayati tāṁ narma-nirīkṣaṇādineti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna is known as Rama because He brings Radha pleasure with His joking words and loving glances. I call out to Him, O Krishna! O Rama!
hare - tātkālikaṁ dhairyāvalambanādikaṁ kṛṣṇasya haratīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! She robs Krishna of the momentary self-control He is able to muster in Her presence. She is thus known as Harā. I call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
rāma - cumbana-stana-karṣaṇāliṅganādibhī ramate iti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna delights in kissing Radha, in touching Her breasts and in embracing Her. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
rāma - punas tāṁ puruṣocitāṁ kṛtvā ramayatīti rāmaḥ,
tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! Krishna causes Radha to reach the pinnacle of loving excitement, so that She becomes aggressively active in the love battle. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
rāma - punas tatra ramate iti rāmaḥ, tasya sambodhane he rāma !
Rama! All this brings extra delight to Krishna. He is thus known as Rama, and so I call out to Him, O Lord! O Rama!
hare - punaḥ rāsānte kṛṣṇasya mano hṛtvā gacchatīti harā rādhā,
tasyāḥ sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Once again, at the end of the Rasa dance, as Radha leaves to return home, She steals Krishna’s mind and takes it away with Her. She is thus known as Harā, and I therefore call out to Her, O Radhe! O Hare!
hare - rādhāyā mano hṛtvā gacchatīti hariḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
tasya sambodhane he hare !
Hare! Krishna also steals Radha’s mind, taking it with Him as He leaves. He is thus known as Hari, and I call out to Him, O Krishna! O Hare!
—o)0(o—
Jiva Goswami’s Mahā-mantrārtha-vyākhyā
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare |
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare ||
(1)
sarva-ceta-haraḥ kṛṣṇas tasya cittaṁ haraty asau
vaidagdhī-sāra-vistārair ato rādhā harā matā
Krishna steals everyone’s mind, but Radharani steals even His when She makes use of Her divine talents. Therefore She is known as Harā.
(2)
karṣati svīya-lāvaṇya-muralī-kala-niḥsvanaiḥ
śrī-rādhāṁ mohana-guṇālaṅkṛtaḥ kṛṣṇa īryate
Because He forcibly pulls Radha from Her home with the sound of His flute filled with His loveliness, that Lord of all enchanting virtues is known as Krishna.
(3)
śrūyate nīyate rāse hariṇā hariṇekṣaṇā
ekākinī rahaḥ-kuñje hareyaṁ tena kathyate
It is heard that the doe-eyed Radha was taken by Krishna during the Rasa dance to spend time with Him alone in a secret grove in the forest. She is therefore known as Harā.
(4)
aṅga-śyāmalima-stomaiḥ śyāmalīkṛta-kāñcanaḥ
ramate rādhayā sārdhaṁ kṛṣṇo nigadyate
The black effulgence of Krishna’s body turns even the gold of Radharani’s skin to black when He embraces Her. He is thus known as Krishna.
(5)
kṛtvāraṇye saraḥ-śreṣṭhaṁ kāntayānumatas tayā
ākṛṣya sarva-tīrthāni taj-jñānāt kṛṣṇa īryate
When Radharani ordered Krishna to build the most beautiful water tank in the world [as a penance for killing Arishtasura], He called all the holy rivers and tanks to bring water to fill it. Thus He is known as Krishna.
(6)
kṛṣyate rādhayā premṇā yamunā-taṭa-kānanam
līlayā lalitaś cāpi dhīraiḥ kṛṣṇa udāhṛtaḥ
Because He is forcibly attracted into the forests on the Yamuna’s banks by Radha’s ecstatic love, where He becomes Her playful lover, He is known by the wise as Krishna.
(7)
hṛtavān gokule tiṣṭhann ariṣṭaṁ puṣṭa-puṅgavam
śrī-haris taṁ rasād uccai rāyatīti harā matā
While living in Gokula, Krishna destroyed the powerful demon known as Arishta. At that time, Radha called out to Him with great emotion. Doing so, she stole His mind and so is known as Harā.
(8)
hy asphuṭaṁ rāyati prīti-bhareṇa hari-ceṣṭitam
gāyatīti matā dhīrair harā rasa-vicakṣaṇaiḥ
Filled with sweet affection, Radha sometimes glorifies Krishna’s pastimes quietly, and sometimes She sings them aloud. Thus those who know the secrets of divine rasa call Her Harā.
(9)
rasāveśa-parisrastāṁ jahāra muralīṁ hareḥ
hareti kīrtitā devī vipine keli-lampaṭā
Sometimes Krishna becomes so absorbed in Radha’s love that His beloved flute slips from His hand. Mad with the desire to enjoy pastimes in the forest bowers with Krishna, Radha steals Krishna’s flute. That goddess is thus known as Harā.
(10)
govardhana-darī-kuñje parirambha-vicakṣaṇaḥ
śrī-rādhāṁ ramayāmāsa rāmas tena mato hariḥ
When Krishna, the expert embracer, makes love to Radha in the forest bowers or the caves of Govardhan, He is known as Rama.
(11)
hanti duḥkhāni bhaktānāṁ rāti saukhyāni cānvaham
harā devī nigaditā mahā-kāruṇya-śālinī
Radha most compassionately destroys the miseries of Her devotees and gives them great joy every single day. Therefore she is known as Harā.
(12)
ramate bhajataś cetaḥ paramānanda-vāridhau
atreti kathito rāmaḥ śyāmasundara-vigrahaḥ
Krishna, with His beautiful blackish form, submerges the minds of those who worship Him in an ocean of supreme bliss. Therefore He is known by the name Rama.
(13)
ramayaty acyutaṁ premṇā nikuñja-vana-mandire
rāmā nigaditā rādhā rāmo yutas tayā punaḥ
In a temple forest groves, Radharani brings the infallible Krishna to the pinnacle of joy with Her love. Therefore She is called Rāmā. Since Krishna is always by Her side, He is known as Rama.
(14)
rodanair gokule dāvānalam aśayati hy asau
viśoṣayati tenokto rāmo bhakta-sukhāvahaḥ
When Krishna heard the cries of the Vrajavasis, who were afraid of the forest fire, He quickly swallowed it up, drying their tears. By giving them joy in this way, He is known as Rama.
(15)
nihantum asurān yāto mathurā-puram ity asau
tadāgamad rahaḥ-kāmo yasyāḥ sā’sau hareti ca
Krishna left Vraja for Mathura in order to slay the demons, but later returned, drawn by the desire to be alone with Radha. Because She attracted Him back to Vraja, She is known as Harā.
(16)
āgatya duḥkha-hartā yo sarveṣāṁ vraja-vāsinām
śrī-rādhā-hāri-carito hariḥ śrī-nanda-nandanaḥ
When the son of Nanda returned to Vraja after many years in Mathura and Dvaraka, He took away all the distress of its residents. His every action steals the heart of Srimati Radharani, and so He is known as Hari.
—o)0(o—
Śrī Harināmārtha-ratna-dīpikā
“Illumination on the jewels of meaning in the Holy Name.”
by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami
śrī-kṛṣṇa-virahe śrī-rādhāyā mahā-mantra-kīrtanam
In Krishna’s absence, Radharani chants the Maha Mantra.
ekadā kṛṣṇa-virahād dhyāyantī priya-saṅgamam |
mano-bāṣpa-nirāsārthaṁ jalpatīdaṁ muhur muhuḥ ||
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare |
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare ||
One day, Radha was feeling separation from Krishna and was meditating on the reunion She hoped to have with Him. In order to rid Herself of the depression She felt in His absence, She began to repeatedly chant His names: hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare, hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare.
(1)
he hare ! sva-mādhuryeṇa mac-ceto harasi |
O Hare! You steal my mind with Your sweetness.
(2)
tatra hetur he kṛṣṇa ! iti kṛṣ-śabdasya sarvārthaḥ ṇaś ca ānanda-svarūpa iti svārthe ṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-svarūpaka iti svīyena sārva-dik-paramānandena sarvādhika-paramānandena vā pralobhyeti bhāvaḥ |
With Her next utterance of the name Krishna, She explains how that is possible. The name Krishna comes from the combination of the syllables kṛṣ, which means everything, and ṇa, which means an identity steeped in bliss. Thus Krishna is the form of eternity, knowledge and bliss, who attracts and tempts everyone in every direction with the supreme joy of His own being, a joy that is superior to any other.
(3)
tataś ca, he hare ! dhairya-lajjā-guru-bhayādikam api harasi ||
So, Hari, You take away even My most strongly-held character traits, like self-control, shame, and fear of My elders.
(4)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! sva-gṛhebhyo vanaṁ prati mām ākarṣasi ||
Then, Krishna, You draw Me out of My house and into the forest.
(5)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! vanaṁ praviṣṭāyā me kañcukīṁ
sahasaivāgatya karṣasi ||
Then, when I have entered the woods, You suddenly appear out of nowhere and start pulling on my blouse.
(6)
tataś ca, he kṛṣṇa ! mat-kucau karṣasi ||
Then, Krishna, You start touching My breasts.
(7)
tataś ca, he hare ! sva-bāhu-nibaddhāṁ māṁ puṣpa-śayyāṁ prati harasi
Then, O Hari, You wrap Me in Your arms and lead Me off to the bed of flower petals.
(8)
tataś ca, he hare ! tatra niveśitāyā me
antarīyam api balād dharasi ||
Then, O Hari, while I am sitting there helplessly, You tear off My skirt as well.
(9)
tataś ca, he hare ! antarīya-vasana-haraṇa-miṣeṇātma-viraha-pīḍāṁ
sarvām eva harasi ||
And so, O Hari, by taking the clothes off My body, You take away all the sufferings accumulated in My heart as a result of Your separation.
(10)
tataś ca, he rāma svacchandaṁ mayi ramase ||
Then, O Rama, You enjoy with Me to Your full satisfaction.
(11)
tataś ca, he hare ! yad avaśiṣṭaṁ kiñcin me vāmyam āsīt tad api harasi ||
By so doing, O Hari, whatever little recalcitrance was left in Me, that too was stolen by You.
(12)
tataś ca, he rāma māṁ ramayasi svasmin puruṣāyitām api karoṣi ||
And so, O Rama, I become so frenzied with passion that I take the initiative in lovemaking, like a man.
(13)
tataś ca, he rāma ramaṇīya-cuḍāmaṇe tava navīna-vaktra-mādhuryam api niḥśaṅkaṁ tad ātmānaṁ tava rāmaṇīyakaṁ man-nayanābhyāṁ dvābhyām evāsvādyate iti bhāvaḥ ||
Then, O Rama, You who are the crest-jewel of the charming! Without any interference, I can now relish the beauty of Your youthful face, indeed the very beauty of Your soul, with both of my eyes.
(14)
tataś ca, he rāma na kevalaṁ ramaṇa-rūpeṇāpi ramaṇa-kartṛ-ramaṇa-prayojakaḥ |
kintu tad-bhāva-rūpā rati-mūrtir iva tvaṁ bhavasīti bhāvaḥ ||
Then O Rama, not only do You engage Me in lovemaking by actively taking the role of a lover, even though this is true; it is as though You were also incarnate in the very act of love itself as its essence.
(15)
tataś ca, he hare ! mac-cetanā-mṛgīm api harasi,
ānanda-mūrcchāṁ prāpayasīti bhāvaḥ ||
Then, O Hari, You capture the deer of My mind like a lion. In other words, Your loving makes me faint with bliss.
(16)
yato he hare ! siṁha-svarūpa tad api rati-karmaṇi
prakaṭita-mahā-prāgalbhya iti bhāvaḥ ||
Because You are a lion, O Hari, You have shown such self-confidence, proficiency and boldness in the art of love.
evambhūtena tvayā preyasā viyuktā kṣaṇam api kalpa-koṭim iva kathaṁ yāpayituṁ prabhavāmīti svayam eva vicāraya iti nāma-ṣoḍaśakasyābhiprāyaḥ |
Being separated from You, my dearest lover, it seems that even a moment is like a million millennia. How then will I be able to suffer through this age-long separation? Please consider this fact.
tataś ca, nāmabhiś cumbakair iva kṛṣṇaḥ kṛṣṇayā sahasaivākṛṣṭo milita-paramānanda eva | tasyāḥ sva-sakhīnāṁ tat-parivāra-vargasya tad-bhāva-sādhakānām arvācīnānām api śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇau mānasaṁ sampūrayataḥ ||
This is the summary meaning of the sixteen names of the Maha Mantra. Krishna is attracted by Radha’s chanting of these magnet-like names and He suddenly appears to experience the ecstasy of union. May the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, fulfill the desires of Her sakhīs, His cowherd friends, as well as of all those who today are engaged in the practices of devotional service in the hope of one day attaining the same mood of love.
—o)0(o—
From Padakalpa-taru
Taken from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s footnote
to chapter 15, verse 110
The Holy Names are described in the words given below, taken from an anonymous song found in the collection known as the Pada-kalpataru, in the section entitled Ardha-bāhya-daśā-pralāpam (“Words spoken while halfway in external consciousness”). Like the above Sanskrit explanations of the Holy Name, each verse begins with one of the names of the Maha Mantra. Thus the first line begins with Hare, the second with Krishna, the third with Hare, the fourth with Krishna, and so forth until, verse after verse, the entire Maha Mantra is given.
This song appears to be inspired by Raghunath Das’ explanation given above, while adding an extra poetic dimension. The theme is the same: Separated from Lord Krishna, and accompanied by Her eight gopi friends, Srimati Radharani chants these names of Lord Krishna and imagines that She is enjoying pastimes with Him:
he hare ! mādhurya-guṇe harile ye netra-mane
mohana mūrati daraśāi
he kṛṣṇa ! ānanda-dhāma mahā-ākarṣaka-ṭhāma
tu’ā bine dekhite na pāi
“O sweet and glorious Hari! You have stolen My eyes and heart by showing Me Your enchanting. O Krishna! O abode of bliss! O most attractive form of beauty! I can see no one but You.”
he hare ! dhairaja hari guru-bhaya ādi kari
kulera dharama kaile cūra
he kṛṣṇa ! vaṁśīra svare ākarṣiyā āni’ bale
deha-geha-smṛti kaile dūra
“O Hari! You stole My calm self-control and ground My attachment to religious duty and My fear of My elders into dust. O Krishna! You attracted Me with the sound of Your flute, making Me forget My body and My home.”
he kṛṣṇa ! karṣita āmi kañculi karṣaha tumi
tā’ dekhi’ camaka mohe lāge
he kṛṣṇa ! vividha chale uraja karṣaha bale
thira naha ati anurāge
“O Krishna ! Being attracted, I come close to You and You tug at My bodice. This shocks and alarms Me. O Krishna ! You use whatever tricks You can to touch My breasts. Overcome with passion, You are unable to keep still.”
he hare ! āmāre hari’ laiyā puṣpa-talpopori
vilāsera lālase kākuti
he hare ! gopana vastra hariyā se kṣaṇa-mātra
vyakta kara manera ākuti
“O Krishna! You pull Me onto Your bed made of flowers and beg Me to enjoy with You. O Hari! You pull off My underclothes and in a moment reveal the intense desire in Your heart.”
he hare ! vasana hara tāhāte jemana kara
antarera hara jata bādhā
he rāma ! ramaṇa aṅga nānā vaidagdhi raṅga
prakāśi pūraha nija sādhā
“O Hari ! When You pull off My clothing and do all the things You do, You remove the last bits of resistance within Me. O Rama ! You are so beautiful, and so expert in making love; do as You wish with Me and fulfill all Your desires.”
he hare ! balite balī nāhi hena kutūhalī
sabāra se vāmya nā rākhilā
he rāma ! ramaṇa-rata tāhe prakaṭiyā kata
ki rasa āveśe bhāsāilā
“O Hari ! Though we may beg You to stop, pretending to be uninterested in Your advances, none of us can long keep up our resistance. O amorous Rama, showing Your expertise in love, You cause us to float in an ocean of nectar.”
he rāma ramaṇa-śreṣṭha mana ramaṇīya śreṣṭha
tu’ā sukhe āpani nā jāni
he rāma ramaṇa-bhāge bhāvite marame jāge
se rasa-mūrati tanu-khani
“O Rama, best of lovers ! O most charming, in the pleasure You bring Me, I completely forget Myself. O lover Rama! When I contemplate My good fortunate in having You for a lover, Your sweet nectarean form appears in My heart.
he hare ! haraṇa tora tahara nāhika ora
cetana hariyā kara bhora
he hare ! āmāra vakṣa hara siṁha-prāya dakṣa
tomā binā keha nāhi mora
“O Hari ! There is no end to Your thievery. You both steal and charm My heart. O Hari ! Take My heart as expertly as a lion. I have nothing in this world other than You.”
tumi se āmāra prāṇa tomā binā nāhi āna
khaneke kalapa śata jāya
se tumi anata giyā raha udāsīna haiyā
kaha dekhi ki kori upāya
“You are my life. Without You I have nothing. Without You every moment is like a hundred kalpas. Even so You abandoned Me, and are still indifferent towards Me. Tell Me what must I do to win Your heart.”
ohe nava-ghana-śyāma kevala rasera dhāma
kaiche raṁha kori mana jhure
caitanya celaya jāya hena anurāga pāya
tabe bandhu milaya adūre
“O Krishna ! You are dark like a new monsoon cloud, the unique abode of nectar, I remain here and weep. I fall unconscious. O My friend, You who are so far away, please return to Me.”
Comments
Returning home from some travels, it is a delight to find all these new posts.
Your writings are invaluable. For most of us, it is virtually impossible to wade through the vastness of the devotional literature to sift out what is valuable and authentic. Plus, our language skills are not sufficient to accurately translate many of these texts.
You have made entering the world of bhakti easy. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so very much.
praṇām
I have doubts about verse 12
ramate bhajato cetaḥ paramānanda-vāridhau
atreti kathito rāmaḥ śyāmasundara-vigrahaḥ ||12||
in particular
bhajato cetaḥ
The reason is that I can't understand bhajato because
bajataḥ + cetaḥ = bajataścetaḥ
Not having the original text and being a beginner in Sanskrit, I can't understand.
Perhaps it could be bhajate transcribed bhajato?
Thanks in advance for any help.
valerio
praṇām
I also do not think that it is an atmanepada present, but of the present participle: bhajat, to the dative case.
The meaning would be, as you say, "to the one who is performing bhajan".
The meaning is the same, but with the dative, the verb "ram" can have another meaning: "to stand still, rest, abide, like to stay with (locative case or dative case)"
So the translation could also be:
"The mind of the one who is performing bhajan remains in an ocean of supreme bliss"
What do you think about it?
Thank you very much
valerio
You write,
From Padakalpa-taru
Taken from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s footnote
to chapter 15, verse 110
Do you mean Bhaktivinoda Thakura's footnote in Padakalpa-taru? I'm not quite sure on this, as it's not his book, no? Can you please explain?
https://jagadanandadas.blogspot.com/2017/08/hari-nama-cintamani-chapter-15-bhajana_11.html