This mantra is not merely a collection of words. It is the heartfelt call of Krishna devotees, their complete surrender, and their final spiritual practice. This is why devotees of Krishna chant this mantra, because it lifts them out of worldly bondage and establishes them in the loving, divine nature of Lord Krishna.
Mantra lyrics:
“Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari
He Natha Narayana Vasudeva
Jihve pibasva murutame ta devah
Govinda Damodara Madhaveti”
Meaning of the mantra “Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari”
Krishna devotees chant this mantra in the form of bhajan and kirtan. This mantra is found in the Damodara Stotra and Mukundashtakam, and it inspires deep longing for the realization of the Lord.
Meaning in English:
Shri Krishna means the Lord who is the embodiment of complete bliss.
Govinda is the master of all the senses.
Hare is the one who removes the suffering and ignorance of devotees.
Murari is the slayer of the demon Mura.
O Natha, O supreme master.
Narayana is the support of all beings.
Vasudeva is the supreme truth that dwells everywhere.
O my tongue, drink the name of that supreme Lord as nectar,
who is the greatest among all divine beings.
Govinda, Damodara, Madhava,
chant these names alone continuously.
Why do Krishna devotees chant the mantra “Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari”
All of us, in one form or another, are carrying the burdens of material suffering upon ourselves. Desires, expectations, fear, insecurity, and calculations of gain and loss make life heavy and restless. The scriptures have shown many paths for liberation from these sufferings, but among them there is one path that is extremely simple, sweet, and effective, the chanting of the mantra “Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari.”
When the mind is focused while chanting this mantra, the first transformation that takes place is the awakening of devotion in the heart. This devotion is not an ordinary emotion. It is like a vessel filled with nectar. The one who drinks this nectar becomes free from the fear of death. Here immortality does not mean the immortality of the body. It means the realization that there is no longer any separation between Krishna and the practitioner.
Krishna does not merely signify the ruler of Dwarka or the enchanting flute player of Vrindavan. Krishna is the Sat Chit Ananda supreme Atman, shining within you in the form of the Self. That very awareness, that very consciousness, is the true nature of Krishna. Yet crossing the veil of His Maya is extremely difficult. The being who remains entangled in this Maya repeatedly experiences worldly suffering. But the one who surrenders everything to Krishna becomes established in His beginningless and endless nature. That state itself is the supreme abode of the Lord.
We chant the mantra “Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari” so that the bonds of attachment created by the external world and Maya may dissolve. These very bonds are experienced as suffering. Because of them, we are deprived of Krishna’s love. Maya does not truly distance us from Krishna. If observed deeply, we ourselves move away from Krishna. We run toward the world with the hope that something there might be better than Krishna. This itself is ignorance.
If there is truly anything worth attaining in this life, it is only Lord Krishna. The entire world is not even worthy of comparison with Him. The world is transient, whereas Krishna is eternal. The world gives suffering, whereas Krishna is bliss itself.
The gift of loving devotion to God does not come into everyone’s destiny. Many people attempt devotion, yet they are unable to remain devoted. The reason is that their mind continues to function as an enjoyer. Love is not a matter of self interest. Love is surrender. But in most people, self interest dominates. To love without expectation has become extremely rare in this age.
If there is even a slight inspiration within you to rise above the world, then attaining steadiness in this mantra is not difficult. By becoming absorbed in the sweetness of this mantra, love and compassion naturally begin to flow outward from the heart. This mantra becomes an excellent means for withdrawing the mind from the illusory world and anchoring it in Krishna.
When the mind becomes established in Krishna, and His pure form free from Maya alone appears most beloved and worthy of worship, then understand that the gate to the supreme abode, Vaikuntha, has opened for you. Krishna is no longer distant from you.
Important benefits attained through mantra chanting
Attainment of loving devotion :
Through chanting this mantra, the grip of the mind on worldly attachments gradually loosens, and the mind naturally becomes drawn toward Lord Krishna.
Oneness with the loving nature of Krishna :
Lord Krishna is the embodiment of love. He is pure love itself. By becoming absorbed in His devotion, the devotee directly realizes this principle of love.
Freedom from bondage of becoming and suffering:
Chanting this mantra is highly beneficial in rising above all forms of suffering arising in the mind. Its effect is experienced quickly, provided there is readiness to recognize suffering and be free from it.
Fearlessness from material insecurity:
Where there is faith, fear cannot remain. Through chanting this mantra, one becomes established in the formless nature of the Lord, from which all fears related to worldly existence dissolve.
Experience of spiritual bliss:
This mantra helps the mind become absorbed. When the suffering oriented mind dissolves, only the eternal spiritual bliss remains.
Realization of the supreme abode and the supreme blissful conscious nature of the Lord:
Lord Krishna cannot be compared to anything in the entire universe. The devotee who realizes this divine Atman nature of the Lord finds their life completely fulfilled.
