In this divinely captivating episode of the Vital Veda Podcast we sat down with Jahnavi Harrison, a rising star in the world of Kirtan & devotional music.
Jahnavi, raised in the heart of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in the UK, shares her special journey going from a small-town Vedic community to worldwide kirtan phenomenon.
Her majestically composed music illuminates & enlivens the Divine within those who listens.
Join us as Jahnavi discusses her evolution as a Kirtan artist and leader, offering a glimpse into the fusion of Sanskrit mantras with English lyrics, her recent EP collab with Willow Smith which initiated an explosion of bhakti (devotional) music with the wider world, her upcoming musical releases, and a bunch of other delightful topics.
We couldn’t be more excited to be releasing and sharing this episode with you all.
ABOUT OUR GUEST: JAHNAVI HARRISON
Jahnavi Harrison was raised in a family of Bhakti-yoga practitioners at Bhaktivedanta Manor, one of England’s most important spiritual landmarks. As a child she was fascinated with song and story, and has nurtured that interest through her life long exploration of music, dance, visual art and the written word. She is a musician who aims to channel her creative expression as a path to self-realisation and service.
For over 12 years she has travelled the world, offering her voice and violin playing in the performance of sacred music and call-and-response mantra chant (kirtan). Her sound encompasses rich influences of East and West, and aims to offer an experience which truly nourishes the spirit. Based in both London and New York, she offers regular concerts, sound baths and workshops.
She released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and features on the Grammy nominated ‘Bhakti Without Borders’ charity album (2016). Jahnavi presents regularly for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and ‘Something Understood’ on BBC Radio 4.
For over 12 years she has travelled the world, offering her voice and violin playing in the performance of sacred music and call-and-response mantra chant (kirtan). Her sound encompasses rich influences of East and West, and aims to offer an experience which truly nourishes the spirit. Based in both London and New York, she offers regular concerts, sound baths and workshops.
She released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and features on the Grammy nominated ‘Bhakti Without Borders’ charity album (2016). Jahnavi presents regularly for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and ‘Something Understood’ on BBC Radio 4.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
Table of Contents
The Meaning of The “Hare Krishna” Maha Mantra
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण
कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे |
हरे राम हरे राम
राम राम हरे हरे ||
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
“Hare” is the ‘śakti’ (divine creative energy) of “Hari”; Hari being another name for Vishnu or Krishna. So ‘Hare’ is the source of Hari’s spiritual creative energy. It is sometimes considered to be a name for ‘Radha’, Krishna’s consort.
“Krishna” means “Dark one” and it’s one of the names of this form/aspect of the Divine. He is the magnetic, all-attractive aspect.
“Rama” means “delightful” or “charming”, and it is another name of Vishnu. Rama is considered to be the source of all Divine pleasure & delight.
Both Krishna & Rama, as per popular Vaishnava tradition, are considered to be two of the main Avatars (divine incarnations) of Vishnu, the maintenance operator of the universe.
Being Raised in The UK & Growing Up As A Member Of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Jahnavi grew up in the Bhaktivedanta Manor, known to be one of the biggest Hindu Temples in the world outside of India, in Hertfordshire, south of England.
This Manor and the surrounding 17-acre property were a donation to the ISKCON movement from former Beatle, George Harrison, who had a close relationship with ISKCON’s founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhubada, and was himself a member of the movement.
Jahanvi’s parents are also members of ISKCON. Her father is an ordained priest as well as kirtanya (Kirtan artist), and her mother was the school principal at Bhaktivedanta Manor for 28 years.
Essentially all of her close relationships and most people that she knew during her childhood years belonged to the ISKCON movement.
The Initial Challenge Of Venturing Into Western Culture & Society After Being Raised in ISKCON
The challenges that were presented when she started to go to a regular high school.
Finding Her Voice As a Kirtan Leader & Artist
Jahnavi used to go for summer camps to the US and that is when she started to “find her voice” and get increasingly more comfortable leading kirtan, rather than just participating in them.
Going “Mainstream” & The Experience Of Recording The “R I S E” EP With Willow Smith
The challenges & exciting parts about the whole process.
Hybridising Kirtan Music: Sanskrit & The English Language
Jahnavi’s & Dylan’s view on new-age hybridised Kirtan / devotional music that combines both sanskrit mantras with english lyrics.
Pros & Cons of combining these two languages.
Mantra Tradition & Respecting Guru Parampara (Lineages)
Some mantras are meant to only be chanted (inwardly or externally) if received from a Guru or teacher that already has the “mantrasiddhi” – meaning “success or perfection of a mantra”.
- However the names of the Divine, which are mantras themselves, are commonly believed to be accessible to anyone and everyone is encouraged to chant them.
Some mantras have to be chanted inwardly only, unless a person belongs to the Brahmin caste and has been properly initiated into them by a Guru (e.g. the Gayatri mantra).
Jahnavi’s Upcoming Musical Releases
She is working on releasing an album of live recordings of her 2023 USA tour.
Q&A Rapid Fire Round
Jahnavi’s greatest non-bhakti musical inspirations:
- Nitin Sawhney
- India Arie
- Thomas Newman
- Enio Morricone
- + Many more classical musicians
What Jahnavi is listening to now:
- Lots of traditional devotional music
- Ambient sounds
Favourite temples or places of pilgrimage:
- That she has been to: Shri Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan.
- That she hasn’t been to and wants to visit: Shri Radha Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur.
Current book she is reading:
- Divya Alter’s Ayurveda cook-books.
- How to Eat for How You Feel
- The Joy of Balance
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