Commentaries on the Mahā-mantra

Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra’s transcendental beauty captivates the minds of all, but Śrīmatī Rādhikā captivates the mind of Śrī Kṛṣṇa by exercising Her unrivalled cleverness. Therefore, She is known as Harā. The vocative case of Harā is Hare.

Śrī Hari, who is adorned with qualities which bewilder the three worlds, attracts Śrīmatī Rādhikā by His youthful beauty and the sweet sound of His flute.Therefore, He is called Kṛṣṇa, the all-attractive one.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa kidnapped doe-eyed Śrīmatī Rādhikā, taking Her to a secluded kuñja within the rāsa-maṇḍala. This has been learned from the words of mahā-puruṣas. Therefore, Rādhikā is known as Harā. Harā in its vocative case becomes Hare.

The magnificent effulgence that emanates from His limbs can convert gold into śyāma varṇa (a dark sapphire lustre). That Rādhā-Ramaṇa Śyāmasundara is called Kṛṣṇa.

Śrī Hari manifested Śyāma Kuṇḍa, the topmost of all sarovaras, in the forest of Vraja near Govardhana. He did this in accordance with the desire of His beloved Śrī Rādhikā, and He attracted all tīrthas to it. Learned people, who call Him Kṛṣṇa, understand this deep secret.

Although His pastimes on the banks of the Yamunā in Vṛndāvana bewilder the world, the all-attractive dhīra-lalita-nāyaka

Śrī Hari is attracted by the transcendental mahābhāva of Śrī Rādhikā. That is why learned people call Him Kṛṣṇa.

Whilst living in Vraja, Śrī Kṛṣṇa stole the life force of the strong bull-like demon, Aristāsura, and at that very moment Śrīmatī Rādhikā, in great jubilation, loudly chanted “Hari Hari!” For this reason Śrī Rādhā is known as Harā. Harā is addressed as Hare.

Śrī Rādhikā sings the pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in indistinct tones and sometimes, out of intense affection, She sings loudly. Therefore, when learned scholars discriminate between rasas, they refer to Her as Harā. Harā is addressed as Hare.

In Vṛndāvana, Śrī Rādhikā is so absorbed in playful pastimes and rasa, that She steals away the flute which falls from the hands of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.This is why Rādhikā Devī is known as Harā. The address for Harā is Hare.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, crest-jewel of the ingenious, knows the art of embracing. He is known as Rāma because He wanders with Śrī Rādhikā, playing and enjoying with Her in the kuñjas of Govardhana.

Śrī Rādhikā is most merciful. She steals all the miseries of the bhaktas and daily bestows inner happiness upon them. Thus, She is known as Harā and is addressed as Hare.

The minds of the bhaktas who perform bhajana wander in the topmost ocean of bliss, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. For this reason that Śyāmasundara vigraha, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is known as Rāma.

In the kuñjas Śrīmatī Rādhikā pleases Śrī Hari with Her prema. Therefore, according to the definition of ramayati ānandayati, ‘He who gives happiness’, He is called Rāma. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is known as Rāma because He unites with Śrī Rādhā.

When Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the giver of pleasure to the bhaktas, saw all the Vrajavāsīs fearful and weeping, He swallowed the forest fire, thus giving them great pleasure. Therefore, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who arranges for His bhaktas to enjoy with Him, is called Rāma.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa went to Mathurā Purī to kill Kaṃsa and other demons. His sole intention was to return to Vraja and meet with Śrī Rādhikā. She attracts Śrī Kṛṣṇa from dhāmas like Mathurā and brings Him to Vraja. For this reason She is called Harā (one who steals). Harā is addressed as Hare.

Śrī Nanda-nandana came from Mathurā and Dvārakā to steal away all the miseries of the Vrajavāsīs. That Nanda-nandana, who is endowed with pastimes that captivate the mind of Śrī Rādhikā, is called Hari. The word Hari becomes Hare in the vocative case.

Fire can burn anything, even without our desiring it to burn. Similarly, Prabhu can remove all the sins of a person with a wicked mind regardless of his mood in remembering Him. Thus His name is Hari, He who steals away. Sac-cid-ānanda vigraha Bhagavān reveals His tattva in the hearts of those who chant and remember His names. Simultaneously, He destroys the ignorance that lies there. That Prabhu is remembered by the name Hari. He is called Hari because He removes the threefold miseries of the moving and non-moving living entities. The minds of worldly people are captivated by hearing and chanting His transcendental qualities. Therefore, His name is Hari. His sweet beauty captivates the minds of millions of kāmadevas (Cupids). Thus the Prince of Vraja, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is known as Hari. The vocative form of Hari is Hare. To fulfill the loving pleasure of rāsa, Śrīmatī Rādhikā captivates the mind of Kṛṣṇa by Her form, qualities and by the nourishment of Her prema. Thus, gentle persons talk and sing about the hlādini śakti of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Vṛṣabhānu-nandinī Śrī Rādhā, by using the name Harā. Harā is addressed as Hare.

The verb kṛṣ means all-attractive and ṇa means all-blissful. When combined, they indicate the all-attractive and blissful parabrahma, known by the name Śrī Kṛṣṇa. That Śrī Govinda, whose body is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss, who is primeval and the cause of all causes, is known by the name Kṛṣṇa. The son of King Nanda, who has lotus eyes and a dark blue complexion, is the only source of bliss for the residents of Gokula. He is referred to as Kṛṣṇa.

Śaṅkarajī said to Pārvatī, “He Devī! By pronouncing the first syllable of the word Rāma (rā) all sins leave the body, and when one chants the syllable ma, the door of the mouth closes so they cannot re-enter. Yogīs meditate on parā-tattva, the transcendental, unlimited truth and the embodiment of pleasure. That parā-tattva parama brahma is known as Rāma. The predominating deity (adhiṣṭhātri deva) of all rasa filled pastimes, the crest-jewel of the clever, rasika śekhara Śrī Kṛṣṇa, eternally enjoys with Śrīmatī Rādhikā. Thus, He is referred to as Rāma. Śrī Kṛṣṇa attracts the mind of Śrī Rādhikā and thus enjoys performing pastimes with Her. He is, therefore, known as Rāma. In the Krama-dīpikā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa spoke to Candramā, the moon. “Rādhā’s name is superior to hundreds of My names. Even I do not know what benefit awaits that person who always chants and remembers Śrī Rādhā.”

kṛṣṇasya mano haratīti harā rādhā, tasyāḥ saṃbodhane he hare: Śrīmati Rādhikā, who steals the mind of Kṛṣṇa, is called Harā. The vocative of Harā is Hare.

rādhāyā manaḥ karṣtīti kṛṣṇaḥ tasya saṃbodhane he kṛṣṇa: Kṛṣṇa means He who attracts the mind of Śrī Rādhā. The address to Him is ‘He Kṛṣṇa!’

kṛṣṇasya lokalajjādharyārdi sarvaṃ haratīti harā rādhā, tasyāh saṃbodhane he hare: Śrī Rādhika causes Kṛṣṇa to lose (harā) all His reputation as shy, sober, patient and modest, etc. The address to Her is ‘He Hare!’

rādhāyā lokalajjādhaiyārdi sarva karṣtīti kṛṣṇaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he kṛṣṇa: He who attracts Śrīmatī Rādhikā in such a way that She loses all Her shyness and patience is called Kṛṣṇa. The address to Him is ‘He Kṛṣṇa!’

yatra yatra rādhā tiṣṭhati gacchati vā tatra tatra sā paśyati

KṚṢṆA kṛṣṇo maṃ spṛśati, balāt kancukādikaṃ sarvaṃ hartīti kṛṣṇaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he kṛṣṇa: Wherever Śrīmati Rādhikā stands or goes, She sees Śrī Kṛṣṇa touching Her and forcibly attracting Her. For this reason He is called Kṛṣṇa (the all-attractive) and addressed ‘He Kṛṣṇa!’

punarharṣatāṃ gamyati vanaṃ karṣtīti kṛṣṇaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he kṛṣṇa: He gives pleasure to Śrī Rādhā, who again ventures to the forest of Vṛndāvana, being attracted irresistibly by the sound of His flute. For this reason He is called Kṛṣṇa and addressed ‘He Kṛṣṇa!’

yatra kṛṣṇo gacchati tiṣṭhati vā tatra tatra paśyati rādhā mamāgre pārśveṃ sarvatra tiṣṭhati viharati iti harā rādhā, tasyāḥ saṃbodhane he hare: Śrī Kṛṣṇa sees Rādhā next to Him wherever He stands or moves—in every direction—and hence His consciousness becomes captivated by Her. Therefore, She is called Harā. The address to Her is ‘He Hare!’

punastaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ harati svasthanam abhisārayatī harā rādhā, tasyāḥ saṃbodhane he hare: She again steals away Kṛṣṇa to a secret rendezvous, therefore, the address to Her is Harā. Harā changes to Hare in the vocative case.

kṛṣṇaṃ vanaṃ harati vanamāgamayatīti harā rādhā, tasyāsaṃbodhane he hare: Śrī Rādhā forcibly takes Kṛṣṇa to the forest groves of Vṛndāvana. Thus, Śrī Rādhika is called Harā. The address to Her is ‘He Hare!’

ramayati taṃ narmani rīkṣaṇādi neti rāmaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he rāma: Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s smile, laughter and glance create pleasure for Śrīmatī Rādhikā, and therefore, His name is Rāma. He is addressed ‘He Rāma!’

tātkālikaṃ dhairyāvalaṃ bānādikaṃ kṛṣṇasya haratīti harā rādhā tasyāh sambodhane he hare: The association of Śrī Rādhikā causes Kṛṣṇa to suddenly lose His composure. Therefore, She is Harā. The address to Her is ‘He Hare!’

cumban-stanā karṣaṇā linganādibhiḥ ramate, iti rāmaḥ tasya saṃbodhane he rāma: Kṛṣṇa enjoys Śrī Rādhā through confidential caresses, embraces, etc. The address to Him is ‘He Rāma!’

punastaṃ puruṣocitaṃ kṛtvā ramayatīti rāmaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he rāma: Kṛṣṇa is He who enjoys conjugal pastimes with His consort, Śrī Rādhā, by making Her play the dominant role in love. He is thus called Rāma (the enjoyer), and is addressed ‘He Rāma!’

punastatra ramate it rāmaḥ, tasya saṃbodhane he rāma: Because He repeatedly enjoys pleasure, He is called Rāma and is addressed ‘He Rāma!’

punaḥ rāsānte kṛṣṇasya mano hṛatvā gaccatīti harā rādhā, tasyāḥ saṃbodhane he hare: As rāsa-līlā concludes and She has captured Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s mind, She goes away. She is therefore called Harā. She is addressed ‘He Hare!’

rādhāyā mano hratvā gaccatīti hariḥ kṛṣṇa, tasya saṃbodhane he hare: Similarly, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, at the conclusion of rāsa-līlā also captures Śrī Rādhikā’s mind. Thus He is called Hari. The address to Kṛṣṇa here is ‘He Hare!’

maccintaṃ hṛatvā bhava bandha nānmo caya: He Hare! Please captivate my mind and release me from material existence.

maccit tamākarṣa: He Kṛṣṇa! Please attract my restless mind towards You.

svamadhuryaṇa mac cinttam hara: He Hare! Captivate my mind with Your spontaneous mādhurya.

svabhaktadvārā bhajana jnāndānana maccittaṃ śodhaya: He Kṛṣṇa! Please make my mind pure with the knowledge of bhajana as given by Your bhaktas who understand the science of bhakti-tattva.

nāma rūpa guṇa līlādiṣu manniṣṭhaṃ kuru: He Kṛṣṇa! Please make me have staunch faith in Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

rucirbhavatu me: He Kṛṣṇa! May I develop a taste for Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

nija sevā yogayaṃ maṃ kuru: He Hare! Please make me qualified to serve You.

svasevā māde śaya: He Hare! Please make me qualified and order me to serve You.

svapreṣṭhena sah svābhīṣṭa līlāṃ śrāvaya: He Hare! Please make me hear of Your sweet pastimes with Your dearmost bhaktas.

preṣṭhayā sah svābhīṣṭalīlāṃ mām śrāvaya: He Rāma! Rādhikā-Rāmaṇa! Make me hear Your most cherished pastimes and Your sweet affectionate voice in Goloka in the company of You and Your beloved Rādhikā.

ṣvapreṣṭhena sah svābhīṣṭalīlāṃ maṃ darśaya: He Hare! Śrīmatī Rādhike! Please give me darśana of Your dearest pastimes with You and Your beloved Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

preṣṭhayā sah svābhīṣṭalīlāṃ maṃ darśaya: He Rāma! Rādhikā-Rāmana! Please reveal to me Your pastimes with Your beloved.

nāma rūpa guṇa līlā smaraṇādiṣu māṃ yojaya: He Rāma! You who perform pastimes with Your eternal associates, please engage me in remembering Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

tatra maṃ nija sevā yogayaṃ kuru! O You who give pleasure to Your eternal associates, Śyāma! Please make me qualified to serve You while remembering Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

maṃ svāngī kṛtya ramasva: He Hare! Please accept this fallen, wicked person and play with me as I deserve.

mayā sah ramasva: He Hare! Please perform Your transcendental sports with me. This is my only prayer at Your lotus feet.

Thus ends the commentary of Śrī Sacidānanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura