What does Hare Krishna mean?

According to vedic scriptures, the time cycle or the period of earth can be divided into 4 yugas. They are Satya yuga, Tretha yuga, Dvapara yuga and Kali yuga. We are currently in the age of Kali yuga. Lord Vishnu incarnates 10 times across all these yugas. All these incarnations are collectively called as Dashavathar. ‘Dasha’ means ten and ‘avatar’ means incarnation.

The Bhagavata Purana prescribes a separate yuga dharma or religious code for each of the four yugas. One can elevate himself to reach Goloka Vrindavan or The Supreme abode of God by just following the yuga dharma for that particular age he is in. The yuga dharma for satya yuga is medidation and yoga. In other words, one has to do meditation for years together in order to get connected with God. The dharma for Treta yuga is yajna or fire sacrifice. Hence the different yajnas were performed during this age. For Dvapara yuga, the yuga dharma is upasana or deity worship. During that age everyone used to visit all holy places of pilgrimage. For the present age or Kali yuga, the prescribed yuga dharma is to just chant the holy name of the Lord. This process of chanting the holy name of God is mentioned in many upanishads and puranas.
In Kali Santarana Upanishad, it is said:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Iti sodasakam namnam
Kali-kalmasa-nasanam
Natah parataropayah
Sarva-vedesu drsyate

Meaning: "After searching through all the vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krishna"

The Hare Krishna mantra is very powerful and can make one feel always happy. It can deliver one from any danger in this life and the ones after this as well. This mantra is very powerful and is superior to all the mantras. It is for this reason, Hare Krishna mantra is called as ‘Maha mantra’.

The word ‘Hare’ represents Srimati Radharani, the most closest consort of Sri Krishna.
The word ‘Krishna’ represents Lord Krishna:-)
The word ‘Rama’ represents both Lord Rama and Lord Balarama.

Thus the whole mantra is fully potent with these three holy names. The words Krishna and Rama directly address The Supreme Lord. ‘Hare’ or Radha helps us to achieve the mercy and protection of Krishna. Thus by chanting the maha mantra, we ask Radha and Krishna to give protection and show mercy on us. When we chant, Srimati Radharani directly helps us to get the mercy of Krishna.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Please chant this maha mantra whenever you can and get the mercy of Radha and Krishna. No qualification is needed to chant this mantra. No faith is required. Anyone and everyone can chant this mantra. There is no rule to chant this mantra. Hence we can even chant this while we are walking; when at home or even during free time at work.
Chant this mantra and always be happy.

Jai Sri Radha Krishna!