The Hare Krishna movement is a subset of Hinduism known formally as Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Its name is derived from the chant — Hare Krishna — which devotees repeatedly utter. Sri Chaitanya of Bengal was founded in the 16th century (1486-1533). He valued Krishna worship and claimed that chanting God’s names were so effective that it could be used in addition to one’s meditation on them.
Swami Prabhupada introduced the movement, officially known as the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, to the United States in 1966. Its hallmark was public dancing and shouting.
What Distinguishes the Hare Krishna Movement from Other Forms of Hinduism?
Hare Krishna devotees consider themselves to be monotheistic. Krishna is the supreme Deity, according to the holy texts Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavad Purana, who governs millions of demigods — who are seen as administrators of universal affairs. These demigods are needed to keep life running. They have specific responsibilities, but they report to the president in the same way as the secretary of state does.
Krishna has often been followed by Radharani, Krishna’s female part or counterpart.
According to the Hare Krishna belief, when Hindus pray to Krishna or representatives of the Abrahamic faith pray to Allah or Yahweh, we are all praying to the very same person.
Furthermore, the Hare Krishna meaning movement has evolved to the Western world. Swami Prabhupada, for example, gave both males and females equal opportunities of becoming priests in the worship rituals. A right reserved exclusively for men in traditional Hinduism. The Hare Krishna movement has been more influential than more conventional Hindu branches in a number of ways, including its openness to Western ethos.
Hare Krishna Mantra
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
The term “mantra” means “deliverance” or “liberation” of the mind. The word “Hare” refers to God’s sacred feminine potency. “Krishna” refers to the all-attractive one, and “Rama” refers to the reservoir of all enjoyment.
Hare Krishnas claim that the mantra’s sound pulse has a direct effect on the spirit. According to an ancient Indian doctrine, the soul is spiritually dormant. The Hare Krishna mantra, like an alarm clock, awakens the soul to its divine existence, allowing it to experience its eternal bond with Krishna or God.
Devotees conclude that a person does not need to understand the mantra’s language because the sound vibration transcends the sensual, emotional, and intellectual levels of consciousness and connects one directly with the divine.
Benefits of Chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
- Dissolves bad habits, negative feelings, and emotions.
- Get rid of your anxiety, tension, and terror.
- Aids in the achievement of lofty goals
- It produces the highest level of ecstasy.
- It brings happiness, harmony, and joy.
- It provides relief from all ills.
- It bestows divine virtues such as love, grace, and inner peace.
- It cleanses you and your surroundings.
- It purifies your mind and heart.
- When we chant the Hare Krishna Mantra, we begin to cleanse our minds of the impure consciousness that keeps us miserable and separated from our true selves. This mantra, in several ways, binds us to the higher force and assists us in breaking free from the never-ending loop and connection to the physical world.
Reincarnation and Karma
In Hinduism, karma, or what a person deserves for his past actions, stems not just from what he has done in this life but also from previous lives. Humans are not often reborn as humans, according to Hindu philosophy. Some are, but others are elevated to higher levels, forms beyond our current understanding, while others are reduced to lower organisms.
The future of a person is determined by whether they live by nature’s laws or violate them. Only humans can break free from the cycle of birth and death.
The Bhagavad Gita states that whatever an individual is thinking about at the moment of death decides the type of body he or she will take in the next life. Those death-bed thoughts form the next body — what kind of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, legs, hands, and other bodily features one would have.
But what one thinks about after death is heavily influenced by one’s thoughts and behavior throughout life.
Why Does Hare Krishna Abstain From Eating Meat?
Hindus think that animals are Krishna’s children, endowed with souls by God. As a result, eating an animal is an affront to God. Furthermore, it is bad for your consciousness: Since animal slaughter is violent, eating meat, fish, or fowl exposes you to more violent thoughts and, possibly, violent acts.
Cooking and spirituality are intertwined in Hinduism. Meaning of Hare Krishnas claims that they are cooking for God’s enjoyment. They never taste the food they prepare because it must first be given to Krishna. Furthermore, Hindus claim that food consumes the cook’s consciousness.
