The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra is the sublime method of reviving our real consciousness.
We are all originally Krsna conscious, but due to association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is impure—adulterated by the material atmosphere in which we are living, called Maya.
Maya means "that which is not."
Illusion means we are trying to become the lord of material nature; this is illusion. We are under the grip of her stringent laws. It is very hard to free oneself from her grip without Krsna consciousness.
So, the Hare Krsna Mahamantra is meant to revive our pure, original consciousness. By chanting this transcendental vibration, we can cleanse all the misgivings of the false consciousness that "I am the lord of all that I survey."
Therefore, Krsna consciousness through the chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra is the simplest method for this age. By practical experience, by chanting the Mahamantra, one can at once feel a transcendental ecstasy that comes through the spiritual stratum.
Stages
i) The lower animal stage: Engaged only in sense gratification (eating, sleeping, etc.).
ii) A little elevated from this sense gratification: One who tries to understand, through mental speculation, how to get out of material clutches.
iii) When one becomes more elevated from mental speculation and becomes intelligent: He tries to understand the supreme cause—the ultimate cause.
iv) One who is really spiritually advanced: His senses, mind, and intelligence become uplifted from the material stratum, and he reaches the transcendental stratum.
The Hare Krsna Mahamantra
The Hare Krsna Mahamantra is not material; it comes from the spiritual platform. This transcendental sound vibration surpasses all kinds of lower-strata consciousness.
There is no need to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation or intellectual adjustment in order to chant it. No specific qualification is required; anyone can chant at any level.
However, upon reaching a higher or more advanced stage, one should be careful not to commit offenses on the grounds of spiritual understanding.
It is automatic, as it comes from the spiritual platform. By chanting this mantra, one can gradually become uplifted through these stages.
In the beginning, there may not be the presence of all transcendental ecstasies.
Eight Transcendental Ecstasies
i) Being stopped, as though dumb.
ii) Perspiration.
iii) Standing of the hairs on the body.
iv) Dislocation of the voice.
v) Trembling.
vi) Fading of the body.
vii) Crying in ecstasy.
viii) Trance.
While chanting, the first system is to dance along with the chanting of the Mahamantra.
However, one who is too much entangled in material life may take more time to become uplifted from material nature.
When this mantra is chanted by a pure devotee, it has the greatest efficacy upon the hearers.
Therefore, the chanting should be heard from a pure devotee of Krsna so that immediate effects can be achieved.
Chanting from the lips of a non-devotee should be avoided, just as milk touched by the lips of a serpent becomes very poisonous and produces poisonous effects.
Srila Prabhupada speaks about the three transcendental seeds of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra: Hare, Krsna, and Rama.
The word Hare is the vocative form of Hara, addressing the energy of God. In simple language, it refers to Srimati Radharani, the divine energy of Krsna.
The words Krsna and Rama are forms of addressing the Lord Himself.
Rama means Supreme Pleasure.
Hara is the supreme pleasure energy of God, and Hare is the vocative form. This supreme pleasure energy helps us reach God, Krsna.
Maya is also one of the multi-energies of Krsna, and we are the marginal energy of God. However, living entities are described as superior to material energy.
When the superior energy comes into contact with the inferior energy, it is an incompatible situation—a mismatch. But when the marginal energy (the living being) comes into contact with the superior spiritual energy, called Hara, it is the natural and happy condition.
So, how do we come into that contact? By chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra, calling upon God and addressing the energy of God to protect the conditioned souls. It is like a child crying for its mother. Thus, Mother Hara helps the devotee reach Father Krsna. By the grace of Krsna, one attains His mercy.
Conclusion
No other means of spiritual realization is as effective in this age as chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra. By chanting His mantra sincerely, Krsna Himself reveals Himself.