Maha Mantra Tika (Srila Jeeva Goswami)

The Maha Mantra Tika

The Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra is composed of 16 perfectly transcendental nectar-Names:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Sri Jiva Goswami Maharaja’s theologically advanced Maha-Manta Tika (“Explanation of the Maha-Mantra”) is composed of 16 perfectly confidential nectar-stanzas, each corresponding to one transcendental Name uttered in the Maha-Mantra.

1.By His uncommon beauty, Sri Krishna Candra takes away the mind of everyone. However, when Sri Radha expands Her own cleverness, She also captures Sri Krishna’s mind. Therefore She is called: “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare


2. By His loveliness and by the sweet sound of His flute, Sri Krishna, Who is decorated with the most captivating qualities, attracts Radha. Therefore He is called “Krishna”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

3. It has been heard from the mouths of great souls that Lord Hari led away the fawn-eyed Radha from the Rasa dance to secluded bower. Therefore Radha is called “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

4. As He sports with Radha, His blackish effulgence causes shiny gold to also appear blackish. Therefore He is called “Krishna”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

5. In pursuance of the wishes of His beloved Sri Radha, Krishna constructed, in the forest near Govardhana, a lake named Syama-kunda and then drew the waters of all holy bathing places there. Those who know this call Him “Krishna”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

6. By Her unsurpassed love, Sri Radha attracts Him, Who is the performer of wonderful pastimes to the Vrndavana forest on the banks of Yamuna River. Those of steady intellect therefore call Him “Krishna”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

7. One day while Krishna was in Vrndavana, He killed the demon Arista, who was disguised as a bull. At that time Radha affectionately called out to Him “O Hari!” Therefore She is known as “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

8. Sometimes due to excessive love, Sri Radha’s voice becomes faint when She sings the glories of Sri Krishna’s Pastimes. Therefore those who are expert in discerning spiritual sentiments call Her “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

9. Once, in the forest of Vrndavana, Sri Krishna dropped His flute due to the intense experience of loving sentiments. All that time Radha snatched up His flute. Therefore She is called “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

10. Once Sri Krishna put His arms around Sri Radha, took Her into a bower shaped like one of the caves at Govardhana Hill and there enjoyed with Her. Therefore He is called “Rama”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

11. Everyday the most merciful Sri Radha bestows happiness upon Sri Krishna (rati). Therefore She is called “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

12. The minds of the devotees always find pleasure in Sri Krishna, who is an ocean of transcendental bliss. Therefore that beautiful dark form of Sri Krishna is called “Rama”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

13. Sri Radha is called “Rama” because She enjoyed Acyuta (Sri Krishna, Who is infallible) through loving pastimes in a forest pavilion made of flowering creepers. Because Sri Krishna is with that Rama, He is called “Rama”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

14. When all of Gokula was filled with wailing because of a forest fire, Sri Krishna extinguished it, thus greatly pleasing the Vrajavasis. Therefore He is called “Rama”.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

15. Sri Krishna went to Mathura to kill the demons headed by Kamsa. But, so the She enjoy confidential pastimes with Sri Krishna, Sri Radha brought Him back to Vrndavana. Therefore She is called “Hara”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

16. When Sri Krishna came back to Vrndavana, He took away the suffering of the Vrajavasis (the residents of Vrndavana) and by His wonderful pastimes captivated Radha’s mind. Therefore the son of Nanda is called “Hari”.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare.