The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is chanted on a string of 108 beads. Speaking clearly and hearing each word of the mantra is important… But why 108 beads? And what does it mean?… Also, what happens if I keep chanting it?…
The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare) is a foundational practice in Krishna Consciousness.
Why 108 Beads?
The number 108 holds profound spiritual, astronomical, and symbolic significance across Vedic culture:
- The 108 Gopis: Surround Radha and Krishna are 108 primary gopis (devotees and maidens of Vrindavan).
- Cosmic Alignment: The average distance between the Sun and Earth is approximately 108 times the Sun’s diameter, and the distance between the Earth and Moon is about 108 times the Moon’s diameter.
The 109th bead on the string, known as the Krishna bead or head bead, is distinct so you do not cross over it. Upon completing 108 repetitions, you turn the beads around to begin the next round.
Meaning of the Mantra
The Maha Mantra consists of three Sanskrit names of the Supreme Self:
- Hare: The divine feminine, personified as Srimati Radharani.
- Krishna: ‘The all-attractive one”.
- Rama: “The reservoir of all pleasure”.
These three names together are considered as non-different from Krishna himself by the great Vaishnava acharyas. The Maha Mantra is not a demand for material things. Instetad, it is a soul’s call to the Divine – a path back to Self realization.
“O Lord, O divine energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service.”
What Happens When You Chant?
- Mental Clarity & Stress Relief: The rhythmic sound vibration calms the nervous system, quiets racing thoughts, and lowers stress.
- Cleansing the Heart : Vedic texts describe the mind as a dusty mirror. Chanting gradually clears away accumulated mental conditioning, anxiety, and negative emotions.
- Awakening Spiritual Consciousness: Repeating and attentively listening to the mantra awakens an innate sense of peace, compassion, and divine connection.
- Becoming Happy: By invoking these names, the chant shifts your focus away from self-centered desire or worldly demands and turns it toward unselfish devotion and divine love, which brings a profound sense of inner fulfillment.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare , Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
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