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This is the first Hare Krishna record album, produced in 1966 by Alan Kallman in New York. Mr. Kallman, a record producer, and his wife came to see Srila Prabhupāda at 26 Second Avenue one evening in 1966, and inspired by the joyous kirtan, suggested that Prabhupada and the devotees make a record.
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Mr. Kallman returned to meet with Prabhupada and talk over the terms. Prabhupada talked over the financial conditions of how much the record would cost, and he was satisfied by the agreement, that the devotees would buy the record at a low price and sell it themselves.
The recording evening was a wonderful event. Before the devotees went into the studio, they had a marching harinama party with Srila Prabhupada around Times Square, Hayagriva playing the big bass drum and other devotees playing karatalas.
Once inside the studio, they practiced chanting with the sound engineer for about fifteen minutes. The sound engineer thought that there are to many karatalas, which he reduced, and alternatively gave out some sticks to play. Prabhupada played a big wooden khol which a friend of the movement had lent him. After about fifteen minutes of practice, the record was cut just one time through. Prabhupada led with a few prayers and then led the Hare Krishna mantra, with the devotees joining in chorus.
The Hare Krishna mantra on the first side of the record lasted about 12 minutes. Then the second side was recorded with Prabhupada singing the Samsara prayers (Guruvastakam), accompanied by Kirtanananda on harmonium. Prabhupada also spoke the purport of the mantra.
An artist at Happening Records came up with the album art. It is said that Prabhupada very much liked the photo of himself on the back of the album sleeve, that he approved of its solemn disposition.
There was a long delay in the production of the record, but when it did come out, the record sold out quickly. Apparently the Beatles also got hold of a copy of the record and liked it very much.
| 01 – A.C. Bhaktivedanta – Hare Krishna Mantra Chant MP3 – 15:31, 15.1 MB | Download | |
02 – A.C. Bhaktivedanta – Hare Krishn Address MP3 – 04:52, 4.7 MB | Download | |
03 – Chant to the Mercy of the Spiritual Master MP3 – 09:11, 9 MB | Download | |
- CHANT AND BE HAPPY -:)
The Power of Mantra MeditationThere's nothing higher than chanting and meditating on the maha-mantra. This is what George Harrison once said. Investigate it yourself.
Just what is the Hare Krishna mantra, also known as the maha-mantra, or the great chant for deliverance? What are the benefits of chanting it? Why is mantra chanting so powerful, and how can it help me?
What are the origins of the mantra? Who are the saints who demonstrated its efficacy? This article answers a lot of questions and may encourage you to Chant and Be Happy :-)
What does the Hare Krishna Mantra mean?The mantra is a spiritual call to the Lord, meaning, “Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in the loving service of Lord Krishna.”
Who is Krishna?
Krishna is a name of the Supreme Lord, or God. It means “the all-attractive person.” And “Rama” means “the source of all pleasure.” Each of us, every living entity, seeks pleasure. But we do not know how to seek pleasure perfectly. With a materialistic concept of life, we are frustrated at every step in satisfying our pleasure because we are constantly being told to enjoy through our bodily senses. To enjoy real pleasure, one must first understand that he is not the body but consciousness, or the spirit within.
Why chant Hare Krishna?
The Hare Krishna mantra is a spiritual sound vibration, which is like nourishment for the inner-self. It allows us to associate with Krishna directly because Krishna is not different from His name. That God’s names are transcendentally powerful is celebrated by all religious traditions (example, “Hallowed by Thy Name”).
Everyone knows that a happy life requires good health. A proper diet, adequate exercise, and sufficient rest are necessary to keep our bodies strong and fit. More important, but less well known, is the inner-self’s need for spiritual nourishment and attention. If we ignore our spiritual health requirements, we become overwhelmed by negative material tendencies like anxiety, hatred, and loneliness.
The potency necessary for developing complete psychological and spiritual fulfilment is already present within everyone. It must, however, be uncovered by a genuine spiritual process. Of all such authentic processes, India’s timeless Vedas tell us that meditation on the Hare Krishna mantra is the most powerful.
The power of transcendental sound
It may be somewhat surprising for the average Westerner to hear about the power within the vibrations of mantras, but the potency is real. For example, any numerologist will tell you that by associating with particular sound vibrations one becomes influenced by them.
According to the predominant types of sound vibration people associate with through T.V. and radio, or in reading articles in magazines and newspapers, they become attracted to certain things or drawn towards certain viewpoints. When television shows, songs on the radio, stories in magazines, and advertising everywhere propagates the concern for temporary sense pleasure, then people lose their interest in their spiritual goal of life. They simply become absorbed in the mundane thoughts of whatever type of sound vibration that enters their consciousness.
The mind is especially affected by the kind of sound energy it picks up or tunes into. By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, it helps re-direct the minds attention to Krishna, and our loving relationship with Him. The soul by nature already loves Krishna, but that relationship has been covered over by the material energy. The spiritual potency of the Hare Krishna mantra can help us to revive that eternal love for the Lord. This is the power of transcendental sound vibrations.
What’s the benefit of chanting Hare Krishna?
In the preliminary stages of chanting, the practitioner experiences peace of mind, and relief from unwanted drives and habits. As one develops more realization by chanting, one perceives the original, spiritual existence of the self, and one can understand one’s relationship with the Lord.
The founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhupada, very nicely explains that: “We have practical experience that any person who is chanting the holy names of Krishna (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) in due course of time feels some transcendental pleasure and very quickly becomes purified of all material contamination.”
Chanting Hare Krishna is for everyone
This Hare Krishna Mantra is a universal chant, it can be chanted by anyone. It is for people of all religions, all nations, all colours, and both sexes. There’s no need to pay any fees, join any group, or turn your life around. It only requires your time and effort. Furthermore the people who chant Hare Krishna are developing good character, gaining knowledge of both the material and spiritual worlds, and helping others to also become free from material anxiety.
So, whoever you are, whatever you do, you can try the chanting for yourself and experience its result. Chant "Hare Krishna" and be Happy!
Download Flyer: flyer-on-chanting.pdf
Download MP3: MahaMantra_Purport.mp3
Article: The Meaning of the Hare Krishna Mantra
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Founder and Acharya of the
International
Society for Krishna Consciousness
