Pañca-tattva Mahā-mantra – Meaning, Lyrics & Chanting Guide

This sacred mantra glorifies the divine associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and is chanted at the beginning of every nāma-saṅkīrtana, especially within ISKCON and other Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava traditions. Invoking this mantra before chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra removes offenses and attracts the mercy of the Pañca-tattva. It is a cornerstone of devotional practice in Harināma kīrtan and nāma-japa across the world.

(जय) श्री-कृष्ण-चैतन्य प्रभु नित्यानन्द
श्री-अद्वैत गदाधर श्रीवासादि-गौर-भक्त-वृन्द

(jaya) śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

Meaning (English): This mantra honors Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu—the Supreme Lord—who appears with His eternal associates: Śrī Nityānanda (His plenary expansion), Śrī Advaita (His avatāra), Śrī Gadādhara (His internal energy), and Śrīvāsa (His devotee representing the jīva souls), along with all the Gaura-bhaktas. Chanting this mantra invokes their collective mercy and purifies the heart.

अर्थ (हिंदी): श्री चैतन्य महाप्रभु अपने शाश्वत पार्षदों—श्री नित्यानंद, श्री अद्वैत, श्री गदाधर, श्रीवास और समस्त गौऱ-भक्तों—के साथ प्रकट होते हैं। यह मंत्र उनके श्रीचरणों में वंदन है, जो भक्ति के पथ को पावन करता है और नाम-जप में अच्युत कृपा को आकर्षित करता है।

When & How to Chant

• Chanted before every kīrtan and nāma-japa session in ISKCON and Gauḍīya temples
• Can be recited 1x or 3x to invoke auspiciousness and devotional blessings
• Chanted in the bhāva of humility and appeal for mercy to transcend offenses

Why This Mantra Matters

The Pañca-tattva Mahā-mantra is not merely introductory—it embodies the entire theology of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism. By recognizing the divine manifestations of Śrī Caitanya and His associates, the devotee aligns with the mercy principle of Bhakti. Chanting this mantra purifies the heart, destroys aparādhas (offenses), and prepares one to enter the nectar of Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra chanting with proper consciousness and śraddhā (faith).

What is the Pañca-tattva Mahā-mantra?

The Pañca-tattva Mahā-mantra glorifies Lord Caitanya and His fivefold manifestation as Nityānanda, Advaita, Gadādhara, Śrīvāsa, and the community of Gaura-bhaktas. This mantra is chanted before every kīrtan in ISKCON and invokes mercy, purity, and protection from offenses. It sets the spiritual tone for entering nāma-saṅkīrtana with surrendered devotion.