The guy is saying HARE KRISHNA, and yes Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a mantra prayer, however Hare Krishna is also a term used to refer to Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Srila Prabhupada spread the Hare Krishna philosophy when he came to North America and subsequently, the Hare Krishna movement swept North America, in the 60s and 70s(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_krishna). Many people joined the movement including people of all ages, races, and religious backgrounds, as well as celebrities(including George Harrison).
It is common for people(especially those who are young and not born into the movement) to leave their family homes and live in the ASHRAM which is like a dorm for male and female monks(each having separate quarters, males and females separated).
After the death of the Movement's leader, Srila Prabhupada, there was a lot of conflict amongst the movement and even accusations of rape(some of which were actually proven in trials), fraud, embezzlement, selling drugs, prostitution and even murder - among other things. These accusations haven't been proven, but, having been a member of the movement at one point in time, the movement sure has its problems and it's quite sad.
I'm not sure if this is what the song's about but it's possible. Keeping in mind that a lot of the people who initially joined were former hippies/users/addicts, it's possible that the song could be referring to such people.
I also should remind everybody that what happened to the movement after Srila Prabhupada passed has nothing to do with the philosophy of Hare Krishna(Vaisnavism), and that the problems in the society do not reflect the philosophy at all!
And for those wondering about the maha-mantra it goes like this:
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA/KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE/HARE RAMA HARE RAMA/RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
The guy is saying HARE KRISHNA, and yes Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a mantra prayer, however Hare Krishna is also a term used to refer to Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Srila Prabhupada spread the Hare Krishna philosophy when he came to North America and subsequently, the Hare Krishna movement swept North America, in the 60s and 70s(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_krishna). Many people joined the movement including people of all ages, races, and religious backgrounds, as well as celebrities(including George Harrison).
It is common for people(especially those who are young and not born into the movement) to leave their family homes and live in the ASHRAM which is like a dorm for male and female monks(each having separate quarters, males and females separated).
After the death of the Movement's leader, Srila Prabhupada, there was a lot of conflict amongst the movement and even accusations of rape(some of which were actually proven in trials), fraud, embezzlement, selling drugs, prostitution and even murder - among other things. These accusations haven't been proven, but, having been a member of the movement at one point in time, the movement sure has its problems and it's quite sad.
I'm not sure if this is what the song's about but it's possible. Keeping in mind that a lot of the people who initially joined were former hippies/users/addicts, it's possible that the song could be referring to such people.
I also should remind everybody that what happened to the movement after Srila Prabhupada passed has nothing to do with the philosophy of Hare Krishna(Vaisnavism), and that the problems in the society do not reflect the philosophy at all!
And for those wondering about the maha-mantra it goes like this: HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA/KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE/HARE RAMA HARE RAMA/RAMA RAMA HARE HARE