Hari-dhāma refers to the spiritual realm of Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu), which is beyond the material world and is the eternal, divine abode where liberated souls reside. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism and other Vedantic traditions, it is considered the ultimate goal of devotion and liberation.
Cosmic Hierarchy and Hari-dhāma’s Position
1. Devī-dhāma – The material world, governed by Durgā, full of illusion and suffering.
2. Mahesh-dhāma (Śivaloka) – The intermediate realm, where Śiva exists beyond full material entanglement.
3. Hari-dhāma – The transcendental world of Nārāyaṇa, free from illusion and suffering.
Features of Hari-dhāma
• Eternal and Unchanging: Unlike the temporary material world, it is sat-cid-ānanda (eternal, full of knowledge and bliss).
• Beyond Māyā: It is untouched by illusion, karma, or the cycle of birth and death.
• Residence of Lord Nārāyaṇa: It is ruled by Śrī Nārāyaṇa, the supreme form of Viṣṇu, along with His eternal consort Lakṣmī.
• Infinite Vaikuṇṭhas: Hari-dhāma includes multiple Vaikuṇṭha planets, where different forms of Viṣṇu reside.
Relation to Goloka (Kṛṣṇa’s Supreme Abode)
• In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Hari-dhāma is not the highest realm—above it lies Goloka Vṛndāvana, the personal, intimate abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
• Hari-dhāma (Vaikuṇṭha) is where devotees worship Viṣṇu in awe and reverence, while Goloka is where devotees serve Kṛṣṇa in pure love and intimacy.
The Path to Hari-dhāma
• Attained through bhakti (devotion) to Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa.
• Souls who surrender to Viṣṇu escape the cycle of rebirth and live in Vaikuṇṭha eternally.