Namaskar or Namaste is the Indian way of greeting. It means I bow down to you (Naman to you). It does not have the name of God - therefore while it is polite and humble, it is not pleasing to devotees who are forever interested in hearing and chanting the names of the lord.
Therefore we say Hare Krsna or Haribol. In a large part of India, people greet each other by saying Ram Ram, in some parts its Radhe Radhe. That is also accepted - same reason.
There are many reasons to greet with Hare Krishna when we see someone especially devotees.
1. We understand from the vedic scriptures to chant the Holy names of the Lord 24 hours or as much as possible. The actual purpose of chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra is to cleanse the heart and awaken the pure love of God. So from this perspective, we must always chant the Holy names.
2. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this practice: yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa. "Whomever you meet, simply talk with him about the instructions given by Kṛṣṇa or tell him of narrations about Kṛṣṇa."
3. It gives pleasure for devotees to chant Hare Krishna and to hear Krishna's name from devotees.
4. It is part of vaishnava etiquette. Srila Prabhupada also recommended that we should greet everyone saying "Hare Krishna ".
Replies
Hare Krsna Mario prabhu,
PAMHO.
Namaskar or Namaste is the Indian way of greeting. It means I bow down to you (Naman to you). It does not have the name of God - therefore while it is polite and humble, it is not pleasing to devotees who are forever interested in hearing and chanting the names of the lord.
Therefore we say Hare Krsna or Haribol. In a large part of India, people greet each other by saying Ram Ram, in some parts its Radhe Radhe. That is also accepted - same reason.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi
Hare Krishna Mario,
There are many reasons to greet with Hare Krishna when we see someone especially devotees.
1. We understand from the vedic scriptures to chant the Holy names of the Lord 24 hours or as much as possible. The actual purpose of chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra is to cleanse the heart and awaken the pure love of God. So from this perspective, we must always chant the Holy names.
2. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this practice: yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa. "Whomever you meet, simply talk with him about the instructions given by Kṛṣṇa or tell him of narrations about Kṛṣṇa."
3. It gives pleasure for devotees to chant Hare Krishna and to hear Krishna's name from devotees.
4. It is part of vaishnava etiquette. Srila Prabhupada also recommended that we should greet everyone saying "Hare Krishna ".
Hare Krishna...
Hare krishna