Gaura-Gadādhara and the Mahā-mantra (04/18/13)

Gaura-Gadādhara and the Mahā-mantra (04/18/13)

“Since ‘Hare’ and ‘Kṛṣṇa” in the Mahā-mantra refer to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, could it be said that Hare-Kṛṣṇa may also refer to Gaura-Gadādhara? I’ve never heard any of our ācāryas explain the Mahā-mantra in regards to gaura-līlā. If you could enlighten me on this I would be most grateful.”

Nice question. Hare (Rādhā) and Kṛṣṇa become one as Mahāprabhu and part (what is left over after Rādhā’s emotions are plundered by Kṛṣṇa) becomes Gadādhara, but the Mahā-mantra is only Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise, Gaura and Gadādhara would not have chanted the Mahā-mantra. They are present in the Pañca-Tattva Mantra, but not in the Mahā-mantra. They did not chant the Pañca-Tattva mantra.

Thinking Gaura and Gadādhara are Hara and Kṛṣṇa is like the unnecessary thinking that Girirāja (the greatest servant of Kṛṣṇa) is Rādhā.

You are correct that our ācāryas (to the best of my knowledge) have never described the Mahā-mantra in the way that this question begs. It is obvious that such is not so. Had it been so then surely Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja or Śrīla Purī Mahārāja would have brought this out. They did not.

We are always safe in all matters if we follow our Guardians.

Gaura Haribol,
SN

PS. Also, when Mahāprabhu chants the Mahā-mantra he is Kṛṣṇa in the mood of Rādhā searching for Himself. Our chanting is as servitors following in his foot-dust. Gadādhara is chasing after Mahāprabhu like one gone mad. His chanting the Mahā-mantra is as a servitor of Mahāprabhu and we are chanting the Maāa-mantra following in Gadādhara’s foot steps. Something like that…

SN