Why Hare Krishna Mantra, not Gayatri though it is Krishna Himself?
A devotee asked like this (Name hidden):
In one of his lecture, Srila Prabhupada says that the Mantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare” is the only mantra which was passed by Brahma to Naradha and is the best of all mantra, then what about Gayatri Mantra? Why Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that He is Gayatri among the mantras?
REPLY:
Yes, Gayathri mantra is very powerful and it is the Mantra form of Krishna as said in Bhagavad Gita (10-35).
(How to chant without diversions? Do we need a guru to start chanting? READ HERE!)
At the same time, the Lord has also said that in kaliyuga, He will be present in His names.
Gayatri Mantra is not the Name of Krishna, but a Secretly chanted Purifying Mantra.
Whereas, the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the direct mention of His Names as well as His energy and hence it is recommended.
Gayatri Mantra must be chanted by brahmanas following brahminical rules, or by a devotee who has got brahmana diksha, whereas Hare Krishna Maha Mantra can be chanted by all – even by milechas.
The rules to chant Gayatri Mantra are very strict and it can’t be chanted in all places and by all persons. It must be chanted only at a particular time and with a clean body and mind by following the rules meant for brahmanas.
(I am disturbed by NEGATIVE THOUGHTS while chanting. What to do? READ HERE!)
And, there are some rules in the case of women in chanting Gayatri. So, Gayatri Mantra must be chanted only when we are following brahminical qualities wearing sacred thread and are 100% confident that we will not offend.
That is why, Brahmana initiation is not given to the aspiring devotees immediately, but is given by the guru only after Hari Nam initiation and only when the seeker is strictly fulfilling all the devotional practices and austerities. Only the Harinam initiation is given initially. Brahmana initiation is given only for the selected people.
In ISKCON, the Brahmana initiation is given only after a certain months after you get Harinam initiation to maintain the standard.
Even among the Brahmanas by birth, Gayatri Mantra is chanted only after getting Brahmanical initiation in a sacred thread wearing initiation ceremony. In Brahmana communities, after the age of 6 of a boy, they arrange a ceremony for UPANAYANA to initiate the boy..
(Why should we chant if we are always involved in Krishna’s thoughts? READ HERE!)
Whereas Hare Krishna Maha Manthra can be chanted at any time and by anyone and anywhere.
Gayatri mantra is believed to purify the mind, dispel negativity, and foster wisdom, intuition, and a connection to higher consciousness.
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra gives Krishna Himself directly. However, the rules are simple for Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and hence, it is recommended for kaliyuga as the people may find it very difficult to follow severe austerities. So, Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu has mercifully recommended Hare Krishna Maha Mantra for us to chant in this kaliyuga.
However, when you are able to follow all the rules strictly, you can chant both Gayatri and Hare Krishna Maha Mantra after getting suitable initiations from a bonafide guru.
(How to avoid Tension, Anger, Abusive Thoughts and Yawning while chanting? READ HERE!)
If you like to chant Gayatri Mantra, first get the initiation for Hari Nam from a bonafide Guru and later, after about an year, if you follow brahminical qualities, get Brahmana initiation.
Once you start to chant the Gayatri Mantra, you should strictly follow four regulative principles (No meat, No Gambling, No intoxication and No illicit Sex) and also avoid onion, garlic, coffee, tea, etc.
Violation from these rules is a great offence.
CONCLUSION:
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy and blissful! Chant Gayatri Mantra later when you become confident of maintaining austerities and after getting initiated as brahmana.
So, when Krishna says that He is the Gayatri Mantra, that means Gayatri mantra is that much pure. So, getting purified to chant the Gayatri Mantra should be the topmost desire for a devotee.
Hope you are clear now why Hare Krishna Mantra, not Gayatri though it is Krishna Himself.
(32 WAYS OF HOW NOT TO CHANT! READ HERE!)