"Har Har Mahadev": Raja Shivaji's war slogan

If you have ever visited the city of Varanasi, one of the most common chant that you may have heard is “Har Har Mahadev”. Every person – rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy, happy or unhappy remembers the Lord and keeps chanting his name. It is the chant that gives strength to the weak, encouragement to the discouraged and direction to the lost. The name of Mahadev is enough to fill life energy into anyone, even in the darkest of hours.

When we hear the chant of “Har Har Mahadev”, the first question that comes to mind is who is “Mahadev”? Of course, as anyone can guess, Lord Shiva is being referred to as Mahadev. But why? According to Shaivism, Shiva is considered as the “creator, nurturer and destroyer” of all creation. Even the other sections of Hindus consider Shiva as one of the holy trinity – the all-powerful God who can destroy any form of evil.

If Mahadev is so powerful and can destroy anyone at will, why does everyone keep chanting his name, instead of being scared? Simply because, Shiva is believed to be very easy to be pleased. No special ritual is needed to please him, if one simply trusts in him. The multiple stories in Hindu mythology illustrate the fact that anyone – human, demon or God – can get a boon from Shiva, if only they pray with their whole heart.

Isn’t it surprising that for the mantra that everyone seeks strength from, there is hardly any consensus on its meaning. There are different variations of how people define what this mantra actually means. Below listed are some of the most popular beliefs of the chant “Har Har Mahadev” Many people believe that the origin of the chant is from the Sanskrit word “Hara” meaning “to take away”. In times of extreme distress, the devotee pleads to the one supreme power to take away all the misery and suffering, thereby entreating him to rid one of all their troubles. This is resonated in the chant “Har Har Mahadev”

A second and slightly more popular interpretation again finds its root in the Sanskrit origin of the chant. In Sanskrit, the word “Hari” refers to Vishnu, the nurturer of the universe. And these two put together, Hari – the nurturer and Har – the creator and destroyer and everything in between, form the one Supreme power – the Mahadev. Hence, “Hari Har Mahadev” which becomes “Har Har Mahadev”. Another and even more powerful interpretation is based on the belief that every life is important and part of the creation. Hence, every (Hindi – Har) individual belongs to the Supreme Power – “Har Har Mahadev”.

Har Har means everyone (Har Ek means everyone in Hindi). So Har Har Mahadev means everyone is Mahadev, since Shiva resides as Atma rudra ( soul ) in every living being. As Lord Krishna says in Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, “ I manifest in every living being. You don't have to search for me, somewhere outside. Just peek into your self, and you will find me as the Akanda_jyothi, the ever burning flame called the soul. ‘Hara’ means one who takes away issues, all Desires and thus dissolves you into Him. Har Har mahadev.

Har (Hara) is one of the many names of Lord Siva. The meaning is “One who removes / destroys” - what does He remove? Our agyana, our ignorance, our false sense of duality, our sense of separation from Him, Who is seated in our heart centre. Mahadev means Great Dev - He is great (greatest if you prefer) among the Deities (Devas). So, basically this is an invocation to Him, Who is the Paramatma, seated in our heart centre, to remove our ignorance and our false sense of duality, our ego that leads to sense of separation. so that we feel one with Him.

Har means Remove or Destroy. Har Har Mahadev means: God remove us from all the obstacles, sorrow, ignorance, miseries, ego, literally all bad things and negative energies. By chanting the mantra below, it benefits not only the reciter but also the listener. If one listens or chants the mantra every day, he is freed from all his/her sorrows and grief. Mantra:

Shiva Shiva Shiva Shiva Sadashiv

Om Hara Hara Hara Hara Mahadev

Om Namo Namo Namah Shivay

Brahma Vishnu Surarchithay

Om Namo Namo Namah Shivay

Uma Ganesha Shraavana Savitha

Om Namo Namo Namah Shivay

Translation:

Glory to the great God Shiva!

Chant the auspicious name

Shiva. You are worshipped

by all other aspects of God-

Brahma and Vishnu worship you.

You are served by your consort,

The Divine Mother Uma and

by, Your sons, Ganesha and

Sharavana. All praise, glory

and homage to Shiva. Har Har Mahadev