"Hari Hari" vs. "Hari Bol" vs. "Hare Krsna"

[KeshavToronto]

Hari Bol Everyone,

 

PAMHO. AGTSP.

 

I just had a quick question that perhaps someone could shed some light on. I've noticed in recent times that some ISKCON devotees like to say "Hari Hari" when greeting fellow devotees as opposed to "Hare Krsna" or "Hari Bol" and am wondering if I am the only one who has found this to be a relatively new phenomenon?

 

I was born into the movement and so I've had the pleasure of being associated with ISKCON devotees throughout my life and I can't seem to recall "Hari Hari" being used as a greeting.

 

One devotee (a self-confessed purist) once told me that even "Hari Bol" was never used by Prabhupada and that the devotees began singing it because they picked it up from the Gaudiya Math back in the day?

 

In any case, while there is little doubt that saying Krsna's name as "Hari" is not a bad thing, I'm just wondering if this has always been commonly used in ISKCON.

 

Thanks, in advance, for your help! Hare Krsna!

 

Your Servant,

Keshav

Toronto, ON

[Guest guest]

Haribol as a greeting is not a made-up thing. Many Vaisnava songs contain this greeting, including a bengali chant that was wild on the streets, "Gaura- Nityananda bol, haribol haribol". Srila Prabhupada also used this word often as well.

 

It is a request to chant the Names of Hari.

 

If anything, "hari, hari" is new in the sense that I never heard it in my experiance in ISKCON from 1967 when I first associated with devotees until I quit associating with ISKCON in 1977-78. But as there are no hard and fast rules for uttering the names of Krsna, this is very good as well. I make up stuff too, such as "merry krsna and Hari new year".

 

Not to be very offensive, but the GM idea is not correct in that in 1967, when I was a pure devotee of hashish, yet dragging myself to sunday feasts despite the intoxication, my friends used to mimic, saying "have a bowl". Sorry to use this example, but it does show the requested timeline for when "haribol" was first used. I doubt if there was much crossover to GM in those early days.

 

Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

[Guest guest]

I think I would say "Hari Hari" if I was very ecstatic to see the person. Otherwise I would say "Hare Krsna".

[gHari]

 

And I should add that I am ecstatic to see you here, Keshav. Hari Hari Haribol.

 

gHari

 

[KeshavToronto]

Hari Bol Gary prabhu!

 

PAMHO. AGTSP!

 

You know, when I logged onto this website, you were the first person I thought of! That ecstatic feeling is more than mutual, prabhu! Thank you not only for the warm words, but for all the encouragement you sent my way those many years ago! :-)

 

So, prabhu, what will it take to get you to grace us with your presence in Toronto this year for our Ratha-Yatra? We've already begun the planning process for RY and it would quite a treat if you would be able to make it! Hare Krsna!

 

Your Servant,

Keshav

[gHari]

 

I was there this year (2005). As I arrived I hugged the wheel on Lord Jagannatha's chariot and became stunned for minutes unable to contain my relief and joy, so thankful that Krsna had once again brought me to His Ratha Yatra.

 

Halfway through, in front of Lord Jagannatha's chariot (which for some unknown reason was the first of the three carts this year), I noticed a big dip in the road and worried that the chariot might not do well over it. But who was I to tell the driver?

 

Sure enough, the cart's wheel sunk down into the depression and the whole chariot heaved. Lord Jagannatha then slowly and gracefully toppled from His throne. My heart dropped as the Lord moved silently in slow motion to the floor of the chariot. Again I became stunned, unable to move as Lord Jagannatha remounted His platform.

 

Many times since then I have stressed about the incident. Did Lord Jagannatha do it to teach me that my service can be useful, even essential? Am I letting Krsna down with my silence?

 

Anyway, my Ratha Yatra is almost never filled with such terror. It is as good as Vaikuntha, and it makes being on this planet quite alright.

 

So, yes, I hope Krsna will take me again to Ratha Yatra this year, and every year. He knows that is my heart.

 

Then let us make a transcendental plan to share some kirtan this summer with Lord Jagannatha on Yonge Street. Hari Hari !!!

 

gHari