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From the Bhakti List Archives

Krishna Susarla • May 9, 1998 


>I came to know that `Hari Om' should not be told aloud or written. Is
>it so? If so, why?
>
>I was a member of the Chinmaya Mission, where this is the greeting
>
>R. Dinakaran


I remember this also from my brief association with the Chinmaya Mission
during my misguided youth.

As far as I know, there is no fault for speaking either "Hari" or "Om," both
of which are sound representations of the Lord. That "Om" is a sound
representation of Lord Krishna is confirmed in both Bhagavad-Gita and
Gopala-tapani Upanishad. In many Upanishads the phrase "Hari Om" is seen
usually somewhere near the beginning.

In any case, the problem with the Chinmaya Mission people is not the fact
that they chant "Hari Om" but rather the mood with which they chant it. They
chant "Hari Om" because for them the Supreme Godhead is devoid of all
attributes, personality, pastimes, etc. Thus, they consider Om to have an
impersonal meaning and they chant this to the exclusion of any other Holy
Name of Lord Krishna which they consider to be of the material modes of
nature (saguNa). While I'm sure their chanting will get them some spiritual
benefit, it is nonetheless an annoyance for those of us who know better.

yours,

-- HKS