Meaning of the Maha-mantra by Thakura Bhaktivinoda

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Hare–O Hari! Please attract my mind and free me from this material world.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa! Please attract my mind by pulling it toYou.

Hare–O Hari! Please attract my heart by showing Your unsurpassed sweetness.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa! Please purify my mind with knowledge of bhakti given to me by Your own devotees.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa! Please give me firm faith in Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa! May I develop a taste for serving You.

Hare–O Hari! Please make me qualified for Your service.

Hare–O Hari! Please instruct me how to serve You properly.

Hare–O Hari! Please let me hear of Your intimate pastimes with Your cherished devotees.

Rama–O Radhika-Ramana! Please let me hear of Your confidential pastimes in Vraja with Your beloved Radhika.

Hare–O Radhika! Please reveal to me Your favorite pastimes with Your beloved Syamasundara.

Rama–O Radhika-Ramana! Please reveal to me Your splendid pastimes with Your beloved Radhika.

Rama–O Radhika-Ramana! Please engage me in remembering Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.

Rama–O Radhika-Ramana! Please make me qualified for Your eternal service.

Hare–O Hari! Having accepted me as one of Your own servitors, enjoy me as You please.

Hare–O Hari! Please perform Your transcendental pastimes with me. This is my humble prayer at Your lotus feet.

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting