Meaning of the Maha-mantra from Hari-bhakti-vilāsa

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Hare–O Rādhe, please attract my mind and free me from material bondage.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa, please attract my mind by pulling it to You.

Hare–O Rādhe, captivate my heart by showing me Your incomparable sweetness.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa, purify my mind with knowledge about devotional service given by Your pure devotee.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa, give me steadiness to appreciate Your transcendental name, form, qualities and pastimes.

Kṛṣṇa–O Kṛṣṇa, may I develop a taste for serving You.

Hare–O Rādhe, please make me qualified for Your service.

Hare–O Rādhe, please make me eligible to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities and pastimes.

Hare–O Rādhā, please instruct me how I can serve You.

Rāma–O Kṛṣṇa, let me hear of Your intimate pastimes with Your beloved Rādhārāṇī.

Hare–O Rādhe, please reveal to me Your pastimes with Your beloved Mādhava.

Rāma–O Kṛṣṇa, please reveal to me Your pastimes with Your beloved Śrīmatī Rādhikā.

Rāma–O Kṛṣṇa, please engage me in remembering Your sweet name, form, qualities and pastimes.

Rāma–O Kṛṣṇa, please make me qualified for Your service.

Hare–O Rādhe, having accepted me as one of Your maidservants, please enjoy me as You like.

Hare–O Rādhe, I beg You to be pleased with me.

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting