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kali-santarana upanishadi

(1) hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

(2) iti shodasakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nasanam;

natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drisyate.

In the Kali-santarana Upanishad (5-6), it is stated:

“The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for counteracting the contaminations of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of these sixteen words.”

(3) iti shodasa kalasya jivasyavarana vinasanam;

tatah prakasate para brahma medhapaye ravi rasmi mandali veti

“This maha-mantra consisting of sixteen names of Krishna is the destroyer of the (16-layered) illusory covering of all the living entities. Only when the coverings are destroyed, Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in the heart of the living entities, just like the sun appears with full intensity when the clouds are removed.”

atharva-veda- sri-caitanyopanishadi (11-14)

(11) sa eva mula-mantram japati, harir iti krishna iti rama iti.        

In the Sri Chaitanya Upanishad-Atharva Veda, the maha-mantra is glorified:

“The Supreme Lord will chant a mantra consisting of His own names Hari, Krishna, and Rama (the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare).

(12) harati hridaya-granthim vasana-rupam iti harih.

krishih smarane tac ca nas  tad-ubhaya-melanam iti krishnah.

ramayati sarvam iti rama ananda-rupah. atra sloko bhavati.        

“These three seed names of the maha-mantra of the Supreme Lord (Hari, Krishna, and Rama) may be explained in the following way: {1} ‘Hari’ means He who removes (harati) the knot of material desire in the hearts of the living entities;  {2} ‘Krishna’ is composed of the two syllables ‘krish’ and ‘na’. ‘Krish’ means He who attracts the minds of all living entities, and ‘na’ means the supreme transcendental pleasure; and {3} ‘Rama’ means He who is the personification of all transcendental bliss.

(13) mantro guhyah paramo bhakti-vedyah.        

“The maha-mantra is the topmost and most confidential of all mantras. It can only be understood when one engages in the pure devotional service of the Supreme Lord.”

(14) naamny ashtav-ashta ca sobhanani,  tani nityam ye japanti dhiras. te vai mayam atitaranti, nanyah paramam-mantram parama-rahasyam nityam avartayati.              

“Those who seriously desire to make progress in spiritual life should continually chant these sixteen beautiful names (maha-mantra) of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in this way they will cross beyond the bondage of the illusory enery in this material world. There is no other mantra which is as powerful as this supremely great and most confidential of all mantras, which has directly descended from the spiritual world.”

agni purane

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

ratanti helaya vapi, te kritartha na samsayah.

In the Agni Purana, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra as preached by Lord Chaitanya is mentioned:

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare: Whoever chants this mantra, even neglectfully, will attain the supreme goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.”

padma-purane-svarga-khande (50.6)

harir eva samaradhyah, sarva deve suresvarah;

hari naam maha-mantrair, nasyat papa pisacakam.

In the Padma Purana, Svarga Khanda (50.6), the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is mentioned:

“All the grievous sins of one who one-pointedly worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all

the demigods and devotees, and chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, are removed.”

narada-pancaratre

trayo vedah shad-angani chandamsi vividhah surah

sarvam ashtaksharantah-stham yac canyad api van-mayam

sarva-vedanta-sararthah samsararnava-taranah

The Narada-pancaratra also praises the Hare Krishna maha-mantra as follows:

“The essence of all Vedic knowledge-comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity [karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and upasana-kanda], the chandas, or Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods-is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Translation by Srila Prabhupada)

vayu purane

kalau nashta-drisam esha, mat-padyarka udeshyati.

In the Vayu Purana, the maha-mantra is described:

“‘For they who have become blinded by the influence of Kali-yuga, a verse with My holy names will rise like a glorious sun. This verse is:

hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

“‘Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

sakrid dvis trir yatha-sakti, yavaj jivam athapi va;

vyaharan svapaco ’pi syan, mama bhakto na samsayah.

“‘Everyone should chant this maha-mantra again and again, either once, twice, thrice or as many times as possible during the day & night, for as long as one lives. By chanting this mantra even the most sinful person who was a dogeater will immediately become My devotee. Of this there is no doubt.’”

ananta-samhitayam

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

In the Ananta-samhita, it is mentioned:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

shodasaitani naamni, dvatrimsad varnakani hi;

kalau yuge maha-mantrah, sammato jivatarane.

This mantra comprising of sixteen words or thirty-two syllables is known as the maha-mantra in Kali-yuga and is only powerful means through which the living entities can be delivered in Kali-yuga.

varjayitva tu naamitad, durjanaih parikalpitam;

chandobaddham susiddhanta, viruddham nabhyaset padam.

One should never neglect or give up the chanting of this maha-mantra and take to other so-called purificatory processes which are invented by fools and miscreants. One should not engage even in chanting other metrical compostions of the names of God that are against the pure conclusions of the scriptures.

tarakam brahma-namaitad, brahmana gurunadina;

kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh.

Lord Brahma and other highly advanced spiritual masters have called this maha-mantra as ‘taraka-brahma-nama’ which means this transcendental mantra is the deliverer of one and all.

This mantra has been glorified in srutis like the Kali-santarana Upanishad and also by Lord Hari Himself.

praptam sri brahma-sishyena, sri naradena dhimata;

namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah.

After receiving through aural reception, this topmost of all mantras from their father Lord Brahma, Sri Narada and Brahma’s other sons & disciples chanted it, achieved perfection and taught it to their own disciples in the parampara system.

utshrjyaitan-maha-mantram, ye tvanyat kalpitam padam;

mahanameti gayanti, te sastra-guru langhanah.

Abandoning this maha-mantra, those who recite verses or poems or songs which have been manufactured through someone’s imagination, transgress the instructions of the scriptures and the bona-fide spiritual masters, even though the verses they are reciting may be full of the principal names of Lord Krishna.

tattva-virodha-sanpriktam, tadrisam daurjanam matam;

sarvatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada.

Those who are interested in their real self-interest, should never accept in any form whatsoever,  these concocted mantras or verses which are against the philosophical conclusions of the scriptures and may contain subtle deviations from the Vedic knowledge.

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

Thus everyone should take full shelter and chant with great sincerity:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

stava-mala-vibhushana-bhashye

hare krishneti mantra-pratika-grahanam.

shodasa-namatmana dvatrimsa-daksarena mantrenoccair uccaritena

sphurita krita-nritya rasana jihva yasya sah.

In the Stava-mala-vibhushana-bhashya, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana says:

“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is non-different from Krishna Himself. When the sixteen words or the thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krishna mantra are loudly vibrated, the Supreme Lord Krishna Himself dances of one’s tongue.”

stavamala Chaitanyashtake

hare krishnety uccaih sphurita-rasano naam-ganana

krita-granthi-sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvala-karah

In the Stavamala Chaitanyashtaka verse 5, Srila Rupa Gosvami states:

Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu loudly chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which dance upon His tongue, as His radiant lotus hand counts the name by fingering the beads on the beautiful knotted counting string tied to His waist.

sri Chaitanya-bhagavate

(1) hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

In Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata Madhya Khanda 23.76-78, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed all the people of Navadvipa to chant:

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

(2) prabhu bole,-“kahilan ei mahamantra;

iha japa giya sabe koriya nirbandha.”

The Lord said, “Please hear this Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Everyone please chant this maha-mantra daily in ‘nirbandha’ or constantly. “

(3) iha hoite sarva-siddhi hoibe sabara

sarva-kshana bolo’ ithe vidhi nahi ara

The Lord continued, “By chanting in this way one will achieve all perfection in one’s life. Please keep on chanting constantly because there is no consideration of any rules and regulations for this chanting process.”

Chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the yuga-dharma for Kali-yuga:

brihan-naradiya purane

harer naam harer naam, harer naamiva kevalam;

kalau nasty eva nasty eva, nasty eva gatir anyatha.

In the Brihan-naradiya Purana (38.126), it is very emphatically stated:

“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali which is full of quarrel and hypocrisy, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.”

srimad-bhagavata-mahapurane

(1) krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam, sangopangastra-parshadam;

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair, yajanti hi su-medhasah.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32) Karabhajana Muni speaks to Videharaja Nimi:

“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting (of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra) to worship the incarnation of Godhead (Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), who constantly sings the name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish (but is like molten gold), He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”

(2) kaler dosha-nidhe rajann, asti hy eko mahan gunah;

kirtanad eva krishnasya, mukta-bandhah param vrajet.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51) it is said:

“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.”

(3) krite yad dhyayato vishnum, tretayam yajato makhaih;

dvapare paricaryayam, kalau tad dhari-kirtanat.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.52) it is said:

“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

(4) kalim sabhajayanty arya, guna-jnah sara-bhaginah;

yatra sankirtanenaiva, sarva-svartho ’bhilabhyate.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.36) Karabhajana Muni speaks to Videharaja Nimi:

“Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people worship the Age of Kali because in this age one can advance in spiritual knowledge and attain life’s goal simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

(5) naam-sankirtanam yasya, sarva-papa pranasanam;

pranamo duhkha-samanas, tam naammi harim param.

In the last verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.5.53) it is concluded:

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Hari, the congregational chanting of whose holy names destroys all sinful reactions, and the offering of obeisances unto whom relieves all material suffering.”

(6) etan nirvidyamananam, icchatam akuto-bhayam;

yoginam nripa nirnitam, harer naamnukirtanam.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) it is said:

“O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.”

(7) mantratas tantratas chidram, desa-kalarha-vastutah;

sarvam karoti nischidram, anusankirtanam tava.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (8.23.16) it is said:

“There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.”

(8) etavan eva loke ’smin, pumsam dharmah parah smritah;

bhakti-yogo bhagavati, tan-nama-grahanadibhih.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.33.22) it is said:

“Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.”

(8) sankirtyamano bhagavan anantah

srutanubhavo vyasanam hi pumsam

pravisya cittam vidhunoty asesham

yatha tamo ’rko ’bhram ivati-vatah

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.12.48) it is said:

“When people engage properly in the hari-nama-sankirtana relating to the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds.”

padma purane

dhyayan krite yajan yajnais, tretayam dvapare ’rcayan;

yad apnoti tad apnoti,  kalau sankirtya kesavam.

In the Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 72.25), it is said:

“Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance of yajna in Treta-yuga or by the worship of Krishna’s lotus feet in Dvapara-yuga is also obtained in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the glories of Lord Kesava.”

narayana-samhitayam

dvapariyair janair vishnuh, pancaratrais tu kevalaih;

kalau tu naam-matrena, pujyate bhagavan harih.

In the Narayana Samhita, it is said:

“In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Vishnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.”

kali-santarana upanishadi

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare.

iti shodasakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nasanam;

natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drisyate.

In the Kali-santarana Upanishad it is stated:

“The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for counteracting the contaminations of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of these sixteen words.”

vishnu-rahasye

yad abhyarcya harim bhaktya, krite kratu-satair api;

phalam prapnoty avikalam, kalau govinda-kirtanat.

In the Vishnu Rahasya, it is said:

“Whatever fruit can be obtained in Satya-yuga by devotedly worshiping Sri Hari through the performance of hundreds of sacrifices for hundreds of years, that same result can be obtained very quickly in Kali-yuga simply by the performance of Govinda-kirtana.

sri Chaitanya-bhagavate

ataeva kali-yuge naam-yajna sara;

ara kona dharma kaile nahi haya para.

In Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata Adi Khanda 14.139, it is said:

“Therefore the essence of all religious principles in the age of Kali is the sacrifice of chanting the holy names of the Lord. One cannot be delivered by following any other religious principles.”

sri Chaitanya-caritamrite

(1) kali-kale naam-rupe krishna-avatara;

nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara.

In Sri Chaitanya-caritamrita Adi-lila 17.22, it is said:

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. The whole universe will be delivered simply by the chanting of the holy names.”

(2) avatari’ Chaitanya kaila dharma-pracarana

kali-kale dharma-krishna-nama-sankirtana

In Sri Chaitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 11.98, it is said:

“In this Age of Kali, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Krishna consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna is the religious principle for this age.”

hari-nama-cintamanau

varnasrama-dharma ara sankhya-yoga-jnana;

kalijive uddharite nahe balavan.

In the Hari-nama-cintamani,  Srila Haridasa Thakura states:

“The practices of discharging one’s occupational duties perfectly, acquring analytical or speculative knowledge and the eight-fold process of meditation, are not powerful enough to deliver the fallen living entities of Kali-yuga.

kali-yuge suduhsadhya anya subha karma;

ataeva naam asi’ haila yuga-dharma.

“Also it is extremely difficult to engage in pious activities due to the degraded condition of Kali-yuga. So the name of Krishna has descended by the causeless mercy of the Lord and become the yuga-dharma of Kali-yuga.

prabhu tumi jivera mangala cinta kori’;

kali-yuge naam-sange svayam avatari.

“My dear Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, for the sake of bringing all-auspiciousness in the lives of all living entities in Kali-yuga, You have descended personally accompanied by Your most powerful holy names.

yuga-dharma pracarile naam-sankirtana;

mukhya pathe jiva paya krishna-prema dhana.

“You have then preached the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra which is the yuga-dharma for Kali-yuga, through Your own example, instructions and devotees. This is only main process through which the living entitiy will achieve the ultimate treasure of pure love of Krishna.

namera smarana ara naam-sankirtana.

ei matra dharma jiva koribe palana.

“The only religious priniciple that the living entity has to follow now is the continuous chanting and rememberance of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

upaya haiya (nama) avirbhuta dharatale;

upeya upaya aikya sarva sastre bale.

“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra has descended from the spiritual world and become the means for achieving perfection but at the same time it eternally remains the goal as well. Thus in the chanting process, the means and end have become one (unlike other spiritual processes like karma, jnana and yoga where the means and the end remain different), making it very easy for  conditioned souls in Kali-yuga to achieve perfection. This is verdict of all the Vedic scriptures.”