Mood of Chanting Hare Krishna Mantra

Do not ask for material benefits

In the beginning of the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra we first address the internal energy of Kåñëa, Hare. Thus we say, "O Rädhäräëé! O Hare! O energy of the Lord!" When we address someone in this way, he usually says, "Yes, what do you want?" The answer is, "Please engage me in Your service." This should be our prayer. We should not say, "O energy of the Lord, O Kåñëa, please give me money. Please give me a beautiful wife. Please give me many followers. Please give me some prestigious position. Please give me the presidency." These are all material hankerings, which should be avoided. [TLK]

What should be our prayer?

This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother. Mother Harä helps the devotee achieve the grace of the supreme father, Hari, or Kåñëa, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely. [Purport to Hare Kåñëa Mahä-mantra] Simply our prayer should be, My dear Krishna, please remind me to always chant Your Holy Name, please do not put me into forgetfulness. You are sitting within me as Supersoul, so you can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You. So please do not put me into forgetfulness. Please always remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell, it doesn't matter, just so long as I can always chant Hare Krishna. [Letter to: Devananda, Los Angeles, 23 November, 1968]

Chant in Humility

tåëäd api sunécena taror api sahiñëunä

amäninä mänadena kértanéyaù sadä hariù

One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others, can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. [Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi 17.31]

These are the symptoms of one who chants the Hare Kåñëa maha-mantra. Although he is very exalted, he thinks himself lower than the grass on the ground, and like a tree, he tolerates everything in two ways. When a tree is cut down, it does not protest, and even when drying up, it does not ask anyone for water. The tree delivers its fruits, flowers and whatever it possesses to anyone and everyone. It tolerates scorching heat and torrents of rain, yet it still gives shelter to others. Although a Vaiñëava is the most exalted person, he is priceless and gives all respect to everyone, knowing everyone to be the resting place of Kåñëa. If one chants the holy name of Lord Kåñëa in this manner, he will certainly awaken his dormant love for Kåñëa's lotus feet." [Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Antya-lélä 20.20-26]

Chant with Respect and Veneration

näma cintämaëiù kåñëaç caitanya-rasa-vigrahaù

pürëaù çuddho nitya-mukto ’bhinnatvän näma-näminoù

The holy name of Kåñëa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kåñëa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kåñëa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kåñëa Himself. Since Kåñëa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with mäyä. Kåñëa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kåñëa and Kåñëa Himself are identical. [Padma Puräëa]

A pure devotee knows that when he chants the transcendental name Kåñëa, Çré Kåñëa is present as transcendental sound. He therefore chants with full respect and veneration. [Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-lélä 2.11]

Try to be Servant of Holy Name; not Master

Lord Caitanya never tried to be the master of the holy name; rather He taught us how to be servants of the holy name. If one chants the holy name of the Lord just to make a show, not knowing the secret of success, he may increase his bile secretion, but he will never attain perfection in chanting the holy name. [Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-lélä 7.95-96]