What is 'Bolo Hari Bolo'?

It is a simple, ecstatic Gaudiya Vaishnava sankirtana that means 'Chant the name of Hari, chant!' — a direct invitation for everyone to join the congregational chanting of the holy name.

Is Bolo Hari Bolo suitable for new devotees?

Yes — it is one of the easiest and most joyful kirtans for newcomers because of its simple words and repetitive call-and-response style.

When is this kirtan typically sung?

During harinama sankirtana on the streets, Sunday Feast programs, Ratha Yatra processions, and any joyful congregational chanting.

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Bolo Hari Bolo

By Bhaktivinod Thakur - Gitavali (Sri Nama Kirtana Song 4)

Bhaktivinod ThakurGitavaliSri Nama Kirtana Song 4

Bhaktivinod Thakur has written this song "Bolo Hari Bolo". This song is taken from the book Gitavali (Section: Sri Nama Kirtana Song 4). Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that please chant the holy names of Sri Krishna. Human birth is very rare and hence one should take the opportunity to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. You can chant the names anywhere and anytime. During day or during night. He also says that please leave the association of non-devotees because associating with them causes hindrance in spiritual progress.

📜 Bengali Verses

Verse 1

bolo hari bolo (3 times) maner anande, bhai, bolo hari bolo bolo hari bolo (3 times) janame janame sukhe bolo hari bolo

Verse 2

bolo hari bolo (3 times) manava-janma pe'ye, bhai, bolo hari bolo bolo hari bolo (3 times) sukhe thako, duhkhe thako, bolo hari bolo

Verse 3

bolo hari bolo (3 times) sampade vipade, bhai, bolo hari bolo bolo hari bolo (3 times) grhe thako, vane thako, bolo hari bolo krsnaera samsare thaki' bolo hari bolo

Verse 4

bolo hari bolo (3 times) asat-sanga chadi', bhai, bolo hari bolo bolo hari bolo (3 times) vaisnava-carane podi' bolo hari bolo

Verse 5

bolo hari bolo (3 times) gaura-nityananda bolo (3 times) gaura-gadadhara bolo (3 times) gaura-advaita bolo (3 times)

📖 Translation

Chant the name of Hari! O brothers, with blissful minds chant the name of Hari! Chant the name of Hari! Birth after birth in happiness, chant the name of Hari!

Chant the name of Hari! O brothers, you have obtained a human birth, now chant the name of Hari! Chant the name of Hari! Whether you are in happiness or distress, chant the name of Hari!

Chant the name of Hari! O brothers, whether in prosperity or misfortune, chant the name of Hari! Chant the name of Hari! Whether you live at home or in the forest, chant the name of Hari! Remaining in this material world for Krsna's purposes, chant the name of Hari!

Chant the name of Hari! O brothers, give up the association of non-devotees and chant the name of Hari! Chant the name of Hari! Falling at the feet of the Vaisnavas, chant the name of Hari!

Chant the name of Hari! Chant the names of Gaura and Nityananda! Chant the names of Gaura and Gadadhara! Chant the names of Gaura and Advaita!

ℹ️ About Bolo Hari Bolo

This beautiful song by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur emphasizes the importance of constantly chanting the holy names of Lord Hari (Krishna). The song serves as an encouragement for devotees to engage in nama-sankirtana (congregational chanting) regardless of their circumstances.

Key teachings from this song include:

Chant with a blissful mind (maner anande)
Value the rare human birth as an opportunity for spiritual progress
Chant in all circumstances - happiness or distress, prosperity or misfortune
Chant whether living at home or in the forest
Give up the association of non-devotees (asat-sanga chadi')
Take shelter at the feet of Vaisnavas
Glorify Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur (1838-1914) was a great Vaishnava acharya who composed numerous devotional songs and books for the spiritual upliftment of humanity. His works in the Gitavali collection are considered treasures of Gaudiya Vaishnava literature.

Spiritual Significance

Bolo Hari Bolo is a pure sankirtana — the yuga-dharma of Kali-yuga as established by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Its very simplicity is its strength: it invites every soul, regardless of background, to taste the bliss of the holy name.

Scriptural Source & Tradition

Rooted in the mood of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita and the Brihan-naradiya Purana's declaration: 'harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam / kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha' — only the holy name liberates in Kali-yuga.

Commentary from the Acharyas

Srila Prabhupada repeatedly led 'Hari bol!' as the rallying cry of the worldwide sankirtana movement. He taught that anyone — child, elder, scholar or laborer — can chant and be liberated. There is no qualification beyond willingness.

When to Sing / Chant

Street harinama sankirtana, Ratha Yatra, Nagar Sankirtana, Sunday Feast, and any opportunity to invite others into kirtan.

Benefits for the Devotee

Purifies the heart of anyone who hears it, spreads Krishna Consciousness to passersby, invokes the mercy of Nitai-Gaura, removes anarthas, and creates a joyful atmosphere where the devotees and bystanders alike become eligible for bhakti.

Gratitude to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

We offer our humble obeisances at the lotus feet of our founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, without whose causeless mercy the priceless prayers, bhajans and sacred literature of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition would have remained inaccessible to most of the world. By his herculean preaching efforts, his unparalleled translations and his founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the holy names, pastimes and instructions of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are today chanted in every town and village.

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the Vaishnava acharyas in the disciplic succession.