What is the original Hare Krishna mahamantra












1















The Hare Krishna mahamantra which I have heard from my family and saints is the following:




Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare




Wikipedia mentions the same mantra and so does this source



While the one which I have heard from ISKCON is little bit different:




Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare




Although it doesn't make much a difference but still I want to know which is the correct one?



Some people say the latter one is interpolated. Since Krishna was more revered in the heart of some devotees, they interpolated it. Is that true?



Please note that the question is not whether interpolating this mantra slightly makes a difference or not but only that whether it has been done or not.










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  • There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago











  • raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago













  • Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

    – Rickross
    43 mins ago











  • @RaRe Just saw that blog lol

    – Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
    42 mins ago
















1















The Hare Krishna mahamantra which I have heard from my family and saints is the following:




Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare




Wikipedia mentions the same mantra and so does this source



While the one which I have heard from ISKCON is little bit different:




Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare




Although it doesn't make much a difference but still I want to know which is the correct one?



Some people say the latter one is interpolated. Since Krishna was more revered in the heart of some devotees, they interpolated it. Is that true?



Please note that the question is not whether interpolating this mantra slightly makes a difference or not but only that whether it has been done or not.










share|improve this question

























  • There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago











  • raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago













  • Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

    – Rickross
    43 mins ago











  • @RaRe Just saw that blog lol

    – Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
    42 mins ago














1












1








1








The Hare Krishna mahamantra which I have heard from my family and saints is the following:




Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare




Wikipedia mentions the same mantra and so does this source



While the one which I have heard from ISKCON is little bit different:




Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare




Although it doesn't make much a difference but still I want to know which is the correct one?



Some people say the latter one is interpolated. Since Krishna was more revered in the heart of some devotees, they interpolated it. Is that true?



Please note that the question is not whether interpolating this mantra slightly makes a difference or not but only that whether it has been done or not.










share|improve this question
















The Hare Krishna mahamantra which I have heard from my family and saints is the following:




Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare




Wikipedia mentions the same mantra and so does this source



While the one which I have heard from ISKCON is little bit different:




Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare




Although it doesn't make much a difference but still I want to know which is the correct one?



Some people say the latter one is interpolated. Since Krishna was more revered in the heart of some devotees, they interpolated it. Is that true?



Please note that the question is not whether interpolating this mantra slightly makes a difference or not but only that whether it has been done or not.







krishna mantras upanishads






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edited 3 hours ago







Lokesh

















asked 3 hours ago









LokeshLokesh

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410216













  • There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago











  • raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago













  • Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

    – Rickross
    43 mins ago











  • @RaRe Just saw that blog lol

    – Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
    42 mins ago



















  • There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago











  • raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

    – RaRe
    1 hour ago













  • Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

    – Rickross
    43 mins ago











  • @RaRe Just saw that blog lol

    – Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
    42 mins ago

















There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

– RaRe
1 hour ago





There is no way to know that. Since Gaudiya Vaishnavas had been chanting it for 200 years before Kali Santarana upanishad was penned down first by an Advaitin, Gaudiyas will tell 'it is changed later, in original manuscripts it is hare Krishna....'. Objectively nothing can be said about it.. It will only be opinion.

– RaRe
1 hour ago













raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

– RaRe
1 hour ago







raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com/mahamantra-controversy check this out.

– RaRe
1 hour ago















Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

– Rickross
43 mins ago





Possible duplicate of Please provide all the scripture references where Hare Krishna Maha mantra is mentioned except Kalisanatarana upanishad?

– Rickross
43 mins ago













@RaRe Just saw that blog lol

– Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
42 mins ago





@RaRe Just saw that blog lol

– Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury
42 mins ago










2 Answers
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Quoting from the book "Mahamantrakalpataru" by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath




The original mantra given in the Kalisantaranopanishad started with Hare Rama and the second line started with Hare Krishna. It was a Veda mantra and meant for the Brahmins alone. Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya changed the order making it stating with Hare Krishna so that any one can chant it, while keeping the result of chanting ie getting rid of the evils of Kali-Yuga and so being illumined unharmed. His version was supported by Radhatantra, and some other Puranas.




So only for the Brahmins who obey all the scriptural orders, the version starting from Hare Rama is chantable.






share|improve this answer

































    1














    The original mantra is indeed "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare".



    The scriptural basis of this mantra comes from the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad where Brahma reveals this mantra to Narada in response to the latter's question of how Jivas can resist the effects of Kali in Kali-Yuga:




    At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to cross Kali?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Śrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the saṃsāra (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is the primeval Puruṣa." Again Nārada asked Brahma: "What is the name?" To which Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus: (the words are:) "Hare Rāma Hare, Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare, Hare; Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Hare, Hare." These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These (sixteen names) destroy the āvaraṇa (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of jīva surrounded by the sixteen kalās (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines.". (Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad)




    So yes, your family and the saints you met are right about the original mantra beginning from "Hare Rama". It was only modified by Gaudiya Vaishnavas because of their preference/importance to Krishna.



    As a sidenote, I would like to add that in the mantra, "Rama" refers to the Maryada Purushottam Rama but according to the Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation, "Rama" refers to Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.






    share|improve this answer

































      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      2














      Quoting from the book "Mahamantrakalpataru" by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath




      The original mantra given in the Kalisantaranopanishad started with Hare Rama and the second line started with Hare Krishna. It was a Veda mantra and meant for the Brahmins alone. Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya changed the order making it stating with Hare Krishna so that any one can chant it, while keeping the result of chanting ie getting rid of the evils of Kali-Yuga and so being illumined unharmed. His version was supported by Radhatantra, and some other Puranas.




      So only for the Brahmins who obey all the scriptural orders, the version starting from Hare Rama is chantable.






      share|improve this answer






























        2














        Quoting from the book "Mahamantrakalpataru" by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath




        The original mantra given in the Kalisantaranopanishad started with Hare Rama and the second line started with Hare Krishna. It was a Veda mantra and meant for the Brahmins alone. Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya changed the order making it stating with Hare Krishna so that any one can chant it, while keeping the result of chanting ie getting rid of the evils of Kali-Yuga and so being illumined unharmed. His version was supported by Radhatantra, and some other Puranas.




        So only for the Brahmins who obey all the scriptural orders, the version starting from Hare Rama is chantable.






        share|improve this answer




























          2












          2








          2







          Quoting from the book "Mahamantrakalpataru" by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath




          The original mantra given in the Kalisantaranopanishad started with Hare Rama and the second line started with Hare Krishna. It was a Veda mantra and meant for the Brahmins alone. Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya changed the order making it stating with Hare Krishna so that any one can chant it, while keeping the result of chanting ie getting rid of the evils of Kali-Yuga and so being illumined unharmed. His version was supported by Radhatantra, and some other Puranas.




          So only for the Brahmins who obey all the scriptural orders, the version starting from Hare Rama is chantable.






          share|improve this answer















          Quoting from the book "Mahamantrakalpataru" by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath




          The original mantra given in the Kalisantaranopanishad started with Hare Rama and the second line started with Hare Krishna. It was a Veda mantra and meant for the Brahmins alone. Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya changed the order making it stating with Hare Krishna so that any one can chant it, while keeping the result of chanting ie getting rid of the evils of Kali-Yuga and so being illumined unharmed. His version was supported by Radhatantra, and some other Puranas.




          So only for the Brahmins who obey all the scriptural orders, the version starting from Hare Rama is chantable.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 1 hour ago









          Surya Kanta Bose Chowdhury

          6,82931364




          6,82931364










          answered 2 hours ago









          Partha BanerjeePartha Banerjee

          1,028116




          1,028116























              1














              The original mantra is indeed "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare".



              The scriptural basis of this mantra comes from the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad where Brahma reveals this mantra to Narada in response to the latter's question of how Jivas can resist the effects of Kali in Kali-Yuga:




              At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to cross Kali?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Śrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the saṃsāra (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is the primeval Puruṣa." Again Nārada asked Brahma: "What is the name?" To which Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus: (the words are:) "Hare Rāma Hare, Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare, Hare; Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Hare, Hare." These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These (sixteen names) destroy the āvaraṇa (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of jīva surrounded by the sixteen kalās (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines.". (Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad)




              So yes, your family and the saints you met are right about the original mantra beginning from "Hare Rama". It was only modified by Gaudiya Vaishnavas because of their preference/importance to Krishna.



              As a sidenote, I would like to add that in the mantra, "Rama" refers to the Maryada Purushottam Rama but according to the Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation, "Rama" refers to Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.






              share|improve this answer






























                1














                The original mantra is indeed "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare".



                The scriptural basis of this mantra comes from the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad where Brahma reveals this mantra to Narada in response to the latter's question of how Jivas can resist the effects of Kali in Kali-Yuga:




                At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to cross Kali?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Śrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the saṃsāra (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is the primeval Puruṣa." Again Nārada asked Brahma: "What is the name?" To which Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus: (the words are:) "Hare Rāma Hare, Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare, Hare; Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Hare, Hare." These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These (sixteen names) destroy the āvaraṇa (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of jīva surrounded by the sixteen kalās (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines.". (Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad)




                So yes, your family and the saints you met are right about the original mantra beginning from "Hare Rama". It was only modified by Gaudiya Vaishnavas because of their preference/importance to Krishna.



                As a sidenote, I would like to add that in the mantra, "Rama" refers to the Maryada Purushottam Rama but according to the Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation, "Rama" refers to Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.






                share|improve this answer




























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  The original mantra is indeed "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare".



                  The scriptural basis of this mantra comes from the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad where Brahma reveals this mantra to Narada in response to the latter's question of how Jivas can resist the effects of Kali in Kali-Yuga:




                  At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to cross Kali?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Śrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the saṃsāra (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is the primeval Puruṣa." Again Nārada asked Brahma: "What is the name?" To which Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus: (the words are:) "Hare Rāma Hare, Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare, Hare; Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Hare, Hare." These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These (sixteen names) destroy the āvaraṇa (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of jīva surrounded by the sixteen kalās (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines.". (Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad)




                  So yes, your family and the saints you met are right about the original mantra beginning from "Hare Rama". It was only modified by Gaudiya Vaishnavas because of their preference/importance to Krishna.



                  As a sidenote, I would like to add that in the mantra, "Rama" refers to the Maryada Purushottam Rama but according to the Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation, "Rama" refers to Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.






                  share|improve this answer















                  The original mantra is indeed "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare".



                  The scriptural basis of this mantra comes from the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad where Brahma reveals this mantra to Narada in response to the latter's question of how Jivas can resist the effects of Kali in Kali-Yuga:




                  At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to cross Kali?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Śrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the saṃsāra (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is the primeval Puruṣa." Again Nārada asked Brahma: "What is the name?" To which Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus: (the words are:) "Hare Rāma Hare, Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare, Hare; Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Hare, Hare." These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These (sixteen names) destroy the āvaraṇa (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of jīva surrounded by the sixteen kalās (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines.". (Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upanishad)




                  So yes, your family and the saints you met are right about the original mantra beginning from "Hare Rama". It was only modified by Gaudiya Vaishnavas because of their preference/importance to Krishna.



                  As a sidenote, I would like to add that in the mantra, "Rama" refers to the Maryada Purushottam Rama but according to the Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation, "Rama" refers to Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 30 mins ago

























                  answered 1 hour ago









                  Surya Kanta Bose ChowdhurySurya Kanta Bose Chowdhury

                  6,82931364




                  6,82931364















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