Swami Prabhupada established ISKCON
The movement advocates chanting the Hare Krishna
Maha-mantra. This transformative practice leads to significant spiritual
progress, culminating in liberation from material existence and experiencing
God's love. Krishna's holy name is so powerful that even chanting a single name
can bring profound spiritual rewards.
Founded in 1966 in New York City by the revered Indian spiritual guru AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the Hare Krishna movement has gained global recognition.
Santan Dharma
The Hare Krishna
movement has preserved three Santan Dharma traditions: the Bhagavad Gita, the
Maha Mantra, and the mridangam drum used in the Sankirtan ritual. Sankirtan,
the essence of the Vedas, finds its roots in four kinds of sound: Vaikhari
(vocal), Madhyama (from the throat), Pasyanti (from the heart), and Para (from
the navel). Both sound and the Vedas originate from the navel, highlighting
their common source. These traditions intertwine with ancient scriptures like
the Upanishads, safeguarding the profound awakening of consciousness through
Dharma—the individual's unique life journey guided by truth and righteousness.
Sanatan Dharma encompasses the eternal set of duties and practices that all
Hindus, irrespective of status, caste, or sect, must follow.
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most poetic Hindu holy
books, and it may be the world's first truly democratic literature. It shows
the way to the lost, provides clarity to the confused, and enlightenment to
all. It also contains some of the most profound Life-Changing principles.
The Bhagavad Gita refers literally to "God's Song."
Life is about learning how to overcome adversity and self-doubt to live a life of truth and purpose. The Bhagavad Gita is metaphorical and representational. There is no actual battlefield or combat to be won; the entire text is a metaphor for the battle in our imaginations.
The Bhagavad Gita is, of course, a reiteration of the
Upanishads' and Advaita Vedanta's philosophy. It is a 700-verse Sanskrit
scripture part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata (chapters 23-40 of Bhishma Parva).
Sankirtan, a devotional practice, involves public singing or chanting to praise the divine nature of the worshipped deity. This is accompanied by musical sounds. Though this public expression may seem humorous, it cleanses the mind, removing impurities and revealing the truth. This connects the practitioner with the absolute or divine as perceived by Westerners.
The term "Sankirtan" originates from the Sanskrit words "kirtan" (praising, glorifying) and "san" from "samyak" (complete). By singing God's Name, this collective practice generates powerful spiritual energy. It purifies hearts, uplifting aspirants to divine ecstasy, and spreading profound vibrations to distant places.
Srila Prabhupada attributes the founding of this movement
to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Westerners were introduced to Sankirtan through
the Hare Krishna movement. This is where followers celebrate Bhagavan Krishna
with song, drums, and dancing in nagara-sankirtan on the streets. Sankirtan
Yoga is the easiest, quickest, safest, cheapest, and most effective way of
attaining God-realization in this age.
The term
"Maha" signifies greatness, and "mantra" refers to a sacred
chant that brings deliverance. Chanted to invoke Hindu deities' energies, the
mantra's name derives from "maha" (mighty), "man" (to
think), and "tra" (instrument/tool), making it an "instrument of
thought." This powerful sound frequency, akin to God's, grants spiritual
benefits to all who hear it.
According to the Padma Purana, the Maha-mantra is the purest, embodying the Absolute Truth in sound, eternally liberated from this world, descending directly from the spiritual realm.
"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare
Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare"
The compassionate Shri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu adjusted the mantra for universal benefit, allowing people
from all backgrounds to achieve their life's objectives, which Krishna loves.
Both the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra and the Hare Rama maha-mantra are found in the scriptures. While
Hare Krishna appears in various texts, Hare Rama is mentioned first in the
Padma Purana. However, they are essentially the same and equally potent.
Kirtan entails the repetitive singing or chanting of
mantras and spiritual hymns, accompanied by humble musical instruments like the
mridangam drum, kartals (hand cymbals), and harmonium (a tiny hand-pumped
organ).
Swami Prabhupada's profound insights into the Bhagavad
Gita, Hamsa, and Kali Santarana Upanishads enriched my understanding of Sanatan
Dharma. This allowed my spiritual inclinations to flourish. In my view, Swami
Prabhupada was a self-realized Yogi perfectionist.
Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings
What is the power of Sankirtan?
When many people participate in Sankirtan, a powerful
spiritual energy known as Mahasakti is released. This purifies the
participants' hearts and raises them to the elevated realm of divine joy known
as Samadhi. These powerful vibrations rebound and spread to distant regions.
Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings Back to Godhead
https://btg.krishna.com/sankirtana-welfare-for-all-beings/
Alex had seen groups of people chanting on the streets,
and he asked, “Is chanting all that your religion does? Don’t you do welfare or
anything like that?”
“We do welfare work,” I responded, “but it’s welfare for
the soul.”
Benefit of Sankirtan by Swami Sivananda
https://www.sivanandaonline.org//?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=1104
Lord Hari says to Rishi Narada:
"I dwell not in Vaikuntha nor in the hearts of the
Yogins, but I dwell there where My devotee sings My name, O Narada! "
If one does Sankirtan from the bottom of his heart with
full Bhava and Prem, even the trees, birds, and animals will be deeply
influenced. They will respond. Such is the powerful influence of Sankirtan.
Rishis and Siddhas visit the place where Sankirtan is held. You can see
brilliant lights all around the Pandal.
Sankirtan is a timeless reality, honored through the
ages. Witness the enlightening video below, showcasing this profound
experience, and consider embracing Sankirtan without hesitation. Enjoy the
captivating Viral Video of a Dancing Deer!
Bhakti Yoga
It is a fundamental Hindu concept that relates to the four ultimate goals of human life.
The four Puruṣārthas are
Bhakti yoga is one of the four
major schools of yoga, along with Jnana (knowledge or self-study), Karma
(activity), and Raja (meditation), each proposing a road to moksha (spiritual
emancipation) and self-realization.
The four yogas help us achieve peace, pleasure, and prosperity in our lives. This ancient, well-thought-out method, which has been passed down for thousands of years, caters to human beings comprehensively. Bhakti Yoga is a lovely discipline to add to spiritual growth. It instills purity in the seeker, smoothing the route to ultimate reality.
Bhakti Yoga is sacred in this Kali Yuga.
Bhakti yoga is devotional yoga. It begins with the realization that the absolute truth is a person. Bhakti yoga relies on another reciprocal relationship with Krishna, and our own efforts.
Krishna is drawn to those who sincerely seek to nurture Bhakti. He is attracted to anyone, and his pure Bhakta smiles gratefully upon them. The science of Bhakti yoga is the science of attracting Krishna or any other deity by pleasing them. The journey is easy once Krishna is satisfied.
The Bhakta strives to cultivate a Krishna-attractive awareness through a variety of activities, with the support of Krishna internally and the guru externally.
‘The Nectar of devotion’ is a Summary Study in English of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī's Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. It is a comprehensive guide to Bhakti yoga activities and covers the simplest and most esoteric points.
ॐThe Bhagavad Gita incorporates principles found in Hinduism's fundamental books, the Vedas and Upanishads. The Bhagavad Gita is Hindu philosophy's core text. It is known as a text that summarises the basic teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads, with a particular emphasis on karma philosophy.
ॐThe key distinction between the Vedas and the Upanishads is that the Vedas were written to preserve information about religious practices, traditions, and philosophical thoughts. In contrast, the Upanishads were composed to convey the ideas of men and women focusing on spiritual enlightenment.
PDF;
Kali Santarana Upanishad https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8ZOc8b_ZHylU2pDemp0ZFhSTU9iRnlLSGZjZ1RXZw/view?resourcekey=0-DWS45f4Z1oNjeMUioJmjew
Audio: Kalisamtarana Upanishad in English presented by Svayam Prakash Sharma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em99E-xfPPU
Conversation between Brahma the creator and sage Narada; The text reveals the mantra which is a collection of 16 names. Shri Krishna Chaitanya Maha Prabhu initiated this mantra and ISKCON follows it. Popularly known as “the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. ”Kalisantarana Upanishad is the primary source of that profound mantra and its glory. In this book, we will discuss the Upanishad and learn what Brahma taught to sage Narada. Hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare .hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hareThe three names hari, rāma, and kṛṣṇa comprise the great mantra. Each name's meaning will be explained in this book using scriptural sources. Before starting the poem, the shantipatha which is recited before any Yajurveda Upanishad is recited.
Kali
Santarana Upanisad (Krsna Yajur Veda )
द्वापरान्ते नारदो ब्रह्माणं जगाम कथं भगवन्गां
पर्यटन्कलिं सन्तरेयमिति । स होवाच ब्रह्मा साधु पृष्टोऽस्मि सर्वश्रुतिरहस्यं गोप्यं तच्छृणु येन कलिसंसारं तरिष्यसि । भगवत आदिपुरुषस्य नारायणस्य नामोच्चारणमात्रेण निर्धूतकलिर्भवतीति ॥ 1 ॥
At
the end of the Dvapara [Yuga], Narada spoke to Brahma and addressed him thus,
"O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth overcome the effects of Kali
[Yuga]?" Brahma replied thus, " You have asked well. Listen to that
which all the Vedas keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the
ocean of mundane existence (samsara) during Kali [Yuga]. It is through the mere
recitation of the name of the Primeval Personality of Godhead - Lord NARAYANA,
that one transcends the evil effects of the Kali Yuga. 1
नारदः पुनः पप्रच्छ तन्नाम किमिति । स होवाच हिरण्यगर्भः
Narada
asked again "What are those names?" Brahma (Hiranyagarbha) replied;
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ।
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ॥
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare I
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare II
इति षोडशकं नाम्नां कलिकल्मषनाशनम् । नातः परतरोपायः सर्ववेदेषु दृश्यते ॥
These
sixteen names destroy Kali's negative effects. No better means (upaya) than
this is to be had in all the Vedas.
सोडशकलावृतस्य जीवस्यावरणविनाशनम् । ततः प्रकाशते परं ब्रह्म मेघापाये रविरश्मिमण्डलीवेति ॥ 2 ॥
These
sixteen names destroy the 16 enclosures (kalas) in which the Jiva is enveloped
(average). Then like the Sun which shines forth once the clouds are dispersed,
Parabrahman alone radiates forth.
पुनर्नारदः पप्रच्छ भगवन्को ऽस्य विधिरिति । तं होवाच नास्य विधिरिति । सर्वदा शुचिरशुचिर्वा पठन्ब्राह्मणः सलोकतां समीपतां सरूपतां सायुज्यमेति । यदास्य षोडशकस्य सार्धत्रिकोटीर्जपति तदा ब्रह्महत्यां तरति । तरति वीरहत्याम् । स्वर्णस्तेयात्पूतो भवति । वृषलीगमनात्पूतो भवति । पितृदेवमनुष्याणामपकारात्पूतो भवति । सर्वधर्मपरित्यागपापात्सद्यः शुचितामाप्नुयात् । सद्यो मुच्यते सद्यो मुच्यत इत्युपनिषत् ॥ 3 ॥
Again Narada asked, "O Lord, what regulations must be observed?" Brahma replied: "There are no regulations." The one who chants these names all the time, whether they are in a pure or impure state, attains the same world (salokya), proximity to (samipya), the same form as (sarupya), or absorption into Brahman (sayujya). Whoever chants this mantra of sixteen names 35 million times is absolved of the sin of murdering a Brahmin and a hero. He is absolved of the sin of theft of gold. He is free of sexual misconduct. Having abandoned all the Dharmas, he is acquitted of all sins. He becomes immediately liberated. This is the Upanishad. II3II.
PDF: Hamsa Upanishad https://www.yousigma.com/religionandphilosophy/upanishad/hamsa.pdf
Audio: Hansa Upanishad in simple English presented by Svayam
Prakash Sharma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2QwGrkOUFc
The Hansa Upanishad is a yoga Upanishad. It is one of the minor
Upanishads. In the list of 108 Upanishads contained in the Muktika Upanishad,
the Upanishad describes the individual soul as a bird, a Hansa, and a swan. The
individual soul by meditating on Aum's sound can become the highest soul. The
Upanishad traces the upward journey of prana or breath through six mystical
circles in the body up to the Brahm opening in the head. The Upanishad also
tells about the ten sounds of AUM and their effect on the body
Hamsa Upanishads use the term 'Hamsa,' a divine swan, as a
symbol to express spiritual and metaphysical truths. The 'Hansa' depicts a wise
person who has discovered the ultimate Truth of himself and the Reality of
existence. He has reached the highest state of pure consciousness and becomes
one with the Absolute.
1 The first is Chini (like that word);
2. the second is Chini-Chini;
3. the sound of a bell is the third;
4. the fourth is conch;
5. the fifth is Tantiri (lute);
6. Nail sounds (cymbal sounds) are the sixth;
7. the seventh is the flute;
8. the eighth is that of Bheri (drum);
9. the ninth is Mridanga (double drum);
10. and the tenth is clouded (viz., thunder).
He may experience the tenth without the first nine sounds
(through Guru initiation). In the first stage,
1. his body becomes Chini-Chini;
2. in the second, there is (Bhanjana) breaking
(or affecting) the body;
3. in the third, there is a piercing
(Bhedana);
4. in the fourth, the head shakes;
5. in the fifth, the palate produces saliva;
6. in the sixth, nectar is attained;
7. in the seventh, the knowledge of the hidden
(things in the world) arises;
8. in the eighth, Para-Vak is heard;
9. in the ninth, the body becomes invisible
and the pure divine eye is developed;
10. in the tenth, he attains Para-Brahman in the presence
of (or with) Atman which is Brahman.
After that, when Manas is destroyed when that is the source of
Sankalpa and Vikalpa disappears, owing to the destruction of these two, and
when virtues and sins are burnt away, then he shines as Sadashiva of the nature
of Sakti pervading everywhere, being effulgence in its very essence, the
immaculate, the eternal, the stainless and the most quiescent Om. "Thus
are the Vedas taught; and thus is the Upanishad."
More on Hamsa is music
There are ten stages of "inner nada" which are heard
successively as sounds; first "chini", then "chini-chini",
third a bell, fourth a "conch" or Shankha (Seashell), fifth a
"tantric" (lute, string instrument), sixth like clapping, seventh of
a flute, eighth of a "bheri" (a drum), ninth of "mridangam"
There are ten stages of "inner nada" which are heard
successively as sounds, and the tenth sounds like a "thunder" (sound
of lightning). Ayyangar describes these "inner nada" states as
Tantric, and its explanation is whispered in the seeker's right ear.
Hamsa's final destination: According to the inscription, one
should avoid the first nine pieces of music and seek out the tenth because it
is related to Hamsa. The yogi discovers Brahman in the tenth state, when his
Atman and Brahman merge, and the duality disappears. The yogi then shines, his
doubts evaporate, his wants fade, and he is transformed into peace,
enlightenment, and bliss. The Upanishads' Hamsa Metaphor: The Upanishads used
the symbolism of a Grand Swan to explain spiritual and metaphysical truths.
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