A Closed Door to Sins

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The word Kṛṣṇa is composed of two syllables: kṛṣ–which means the attractive aspect of the Lord, and ṇa–which refers to ananda, spiritual bliss. Thus the name Kṛṣṇa represents God’s most blissful all-attractive form. The Nirukti dictionary says kṛṣ means either “to draw” or “the complete existence,” and ṇa stands for “destruction.” The name Kṛṣṇa therefore, means “He who draws the conditioned souls to Him and annihilates their material existence.”

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gives a brief description of the words Hare, Kṛṣṇa and Rama:

“Hare means Harā or Rādhā who steals the mind of Hari by Her unequalled love and affection. Kṛṣ means to attract, and ṇa means ultimate bliss. Kṛṣṇa is the embodiment of ultimate bliss. Rā means to drive out all sins, and Ma means a closed door that prevents sins from reentering. Rāma means the God of transcendental erotic līlā, who always enjoys loving pastimes with His eternal consort Śrīmatī Rādhikā.” (Sri Caitanya Siksamrta)

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting