The names of God are identical to Him and are therefore transcendental. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught that chanting the great mantra “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare” is the sublime method for reviving our transcendental consciousness, or Krishna consciousness.
By chanting this mantra one can feel transcendental happiness coming through from the spiritual realm. Most of us are entangled in material life, but even a materially engrossed person is quickly raised to the spiritual platform by chanting.
The mantra is a spiritual call to the Lord and His internal energy. The mood of the chanting is like that of a child crying for its mother. It is a request to be returned to our natural position of pure devotional service to Krishna. By chanting the mantra sincerely, we invoke the mercy of the Lord’s internal energy (Radha), who helps us achieve the grace of Krishna.
If we can do only one thing for our ultimate benefit, it should be to chant the Hare Krishna mantra.
Devotees chant the mantra in two ways:
- Japa: a private meditation for personal spiritual upliftment
- Kirtana: public congregational singing and dancing
At ISKCON Pune CAMP temple we teach Japa to anyone who wants to learn. All the classes conducted in the temple will invariably teach Japa. Also we reguarly go out every day and perform Kirtana on the streets near by our temple.
