Chant the Maha Mantra and count your rounds to 108 with this free online japa counter. Tap the saffron circle each time you finish one full mantra.
हरे कृष्ण, हरे कृष्ण,
कृष्ण कृष्ण, हरे हरे।
हरे राम, हरे राम,
राम राम, हरे हरे॥
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare.
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
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The Hare Krishna mantra, also called the Maha Mantra meaning 'the great mantra', is the most famous chant in the Vaishnava tradition. It comes from the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, where it is prescribed as the foremost spiritual practice for the present age of Kali Yuga.
Sixteen words, three holy names. The chant is a humble call to the divine: please engage me in your loving service. It is the central practice of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness), founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, and has been chanted by devotees across the world for over five centuries since Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularised it in 16th-century Bengal.
Unlike many Sanskrit mantras, the Maha Mantra has no caste, faith, or initiation requirement. The sound itself is the practice. Anyone can chant.
Addresses the divine feminine energy (Radha or Hara). A call to the Lord's mercy and his beloved energy.
The all-attractive Supreme Personality. From the Sanskrit root 'krish' (attract) and 'na' (highest pleasure).
The reservoir of all pleasure. The one in whom devotees take perfect delight. Also a name for Lord Rama of the Ramayana.
Any time is good. The traditional best window is Brahma Muhurta (90 minutes before sunrise). Morning is ideal because the mind is fresh. But the Maha Mantra is for every moment — walking, working, before sleep, in joy, in grief.
ISKCON devotees commit to 16 rounds (1,728 mantras) per day at initiation. Beginners are encouraged to start with what is sustainable — even one round per day, done consistently, is more powerful than 16 rounds done once.
Both are valid. Out-loud chanting (vaikhari) is the strongest. Whispered (upamshu) and mental (manasa) chanting are also taught. Beginners are encouraged to chant audibly.
No. The Maha Mantra is given freely to all. Initiation deepens commitment but is not a prerequisite to begin.
Absolutely. The Maha Mantra has no faith barrier. The sound itself is the practice.
Both are names of the same Supreme Personality. Krishna refers to the all-attractive form, Rama to the reservoir of pleasure. The mantra invokes both aspects.