Guest guest Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 When we chant "Rama" in the Hare Krsna mantra, which Rama is being referred to? According to aisvarya-rasa, Rama refers to Lord Ramacandra, the son of Dasaratha. According to madhurya-rasa Rama refers to Krsna, who enjoys Radha's company. This Rama is the son of Nanda Maharaja. Whenever the name Rama indicates service to Radha-Ramana Krsna, the word "Hare," which is the vocative form of Hara, refers to Sri Radharani, who is the origin of the spiritual energies. Sri Radha is known as Hara because She attracts Krsna's mind. Hara means "attracter.Hare" is also the vocative form for the word "Hari". There are three Ramas: Rama, the husband of Sita, Rama (Balarama), the husband of Revati, and Rama (Krsna), the husband of Radha. What does "Hare" mean? Some people conclude that the word "hare" in the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is an address to Hari. Those who are more attached to the asraya-tattva rather than the visaya-tattva-that is, those whose service propensity is more awake-accept "hare" as a call to Hara, Radha. Since Radha attracts Krsna's mind with Her love, she is known as Hara. When does pure chanting begin? We will not be able to chant purely as long as we are absorbed in material thoughts. How can we chant Krsna's name if we are not inclined to serve Him? A person interested in sense gratification, who is fond of cheating and who is a hypocrite, can never chant the holy name. Those who do not understand that the Lord's holy name and the Lord Himself are nondifferent will face obstacles in chanting. Chanting begins when we are inclined to serve the Lord. Unless we are convinced that the holy name is directly the Lord Himself, how will we chant? The Lord's sacred name does not manifest on the tongue if the heart is filled with the current of mundane thought. Therefore it is not possible to chant the holy name until the mind is spiritualized. Only a person whose material conception has been destroyed is able to chant Hari's name constantly. We are suffering because we serve our material desires. If our material desires are strong we will become maya's servants and may even take birth as ghosts or evil spirits. When by serving guru and Krsna the heart becomes purified, the Lord's pure name will appear in the heart. Otherwise, we will continue to commit offenses against the holy name. (From Srila Bhaktisiddhanta "Amrta Vani") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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