Much has also been written about this mantra, known as the Mahamantra (Great Mantra) to devotees of Lord Krishna and Vaishnavites (devotees of Lord Vishnu) generally. It dates back to the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, which is associated with the Krishna Yajurveda, and was popularized as part of the bhakti movement started by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the late 15th century, and more recently in the West by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
This composition for the mantra has two melodic parts, and the track opens with a bansuri intro by Steve Gorn.
Features: Prajna Vieira - call and response vocals; Steve Gorn - bansuri; Benj Clarke - acoustic upright bass; Daniel Paul - tabla; Ben Leinbach - drums and hand percussion; Natesh - call and response vocals, guitar, drums and hand percussion.
(from Bliss of Kirtan, released January 2, 2014)
Lyrics
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krisha Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Meaning:
As I understand it is interpreted in Swami Prabhupad's 'Hare Krishna' movement, "Hare" is a form of Harā, a name of Rādhā, Krishna's beloved, and none other than Shakti. Thus Harā refers to "the energy of God" while Krishna and Rama refer to God himself, and mean "He who is All-Attractive" and "He who is the Source of All Pleasure," respectively.
