As I was chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra today, I was reflecting on the very beautiful way in which we are allowed to serve Radha and Krishna. When we are chanting Hare Krishna, we are in a way uniting Radha and Krishna.

Hare Krishna – The Greatest TREASURE

Krishna and His Holy Name is non-different. Similarly, Radharani and Her Holy Name is non-different. When we are chanting their names together, we are engaged in bringing them together. Shrila Prabhupada was extremely merciful to give us this chant of “Hare Krishna.” Prabhupada stayed in Vrindavan where everyone chants “Radhe, Radhe.” Even though having stayed there for many years, Shrila Prabhupada didn’t publicise among his followers the chanting of “Radhe, Radhe.” When he went with his disciples to Vrindavan, and they would greet him with their customary greeting, Prabhupada would respond with “Hare Krishna.” Shrila Prabhupada gave people like us access in engaging in the service of Radha and Krishna through the chanting of their Holy Names. Through the chanting of Hare Krishna, we are bringing Radha and Krishna in the core of our hearts.

Imagine if Radha and Krishna are standing in front of us. What will we do in the presence of Radha and Krishna? The best thing we can do is to serve Them!

Therefore, spiritual life consists of three things – the Lover, the Beloved and Love. The Lovers are Srimati Radharani, all the associates of Krishna, and devotees who are trying to love Krishna. The Supreme Beloved is Krishna, and Love is Bhakti.

PERFECTED LOVE

When eternal associates of Krishna take part in this exchange of love, it is called as a pastime. The love is both-sided. Krishna loves His devotees, and His devotees love Him. In this exchange, there is no satiation. In this reciprocation, there is no stone unturned from both sides. Krishna comes to this world to display His majestic pastimes with His associates thus attracting the hearts of all conditioned souls. In Krishna’s pastimes, the Holy Name takes a back seat, and the exchange of love between the lover and the beloved is the prime manifesto.

PRACTICING LOVERS

When sadhakas take part in this exchange of love through chanting the Holy Names, the exchange of love is called as “mercy”. We cannot directly engage in Krishna’s pastimes, but seeing our efforts, Krishna reciprocates with our love by granting us mercy. Krishna loves his parts and parcels, and the sadhakas are trying to develop love for Him. They are not yet His lovers, but they are struggling to love Him. Krishna wishes to reciprocate fully, and He does reciprocate by granting us mercy to the degree we yearn for it.

Through our chanting, when we try to unite Radha and Krishna, and thus engage in His service, He becomes pleased to award us mercy. And as we become His perfected lovers, He takes us in His eternal entourage. Prior to that, through the same chanting of the Holy Name, He reveals to us His eternal pastimes in our hearts, and then He grants us an eternal position in those pastimes.

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura says,
pūrna vikaśita hoiyā, braje more jāya loiyā,
dekhāy more swarūpa-vilās
more siddha-deha diyā, kṛṣṇa-pāśe rākhe giyā,
e dehera kore sarva-nāś
Being fully manifest, the holy name of takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love dalliance. He gives to me my own divine, eternal body, keeps me near Krsna and completely destroys this mortal frame of mine.