Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Because Lord Caitanya, who is Krsna Himself says it is the topmost. Therefore who can deny? No by-products as you say, just pure benefit.

...the Hare Krishna mantra is called the " maha-mantra " or great mantra,all Vedic mantras are contained within the Hare Krishna mantra,this is the prescribed method for salvation in the Kali-yuga.In other ages sacrifices of unimaginable magnitude had to be preformed by the most powerfull of brahmins,this is not possible today.

Unfortunately in Hinduism Maha-mantra is not the specific name of the Hare Krishna maha mantra. Lalita Sahasranam for example is too. Even in Jainism Jain Namokar is MM... Gayatri too. MM But hey thats their problem! We know that this is the maha-mantra. Lord Chaitanya chanted other mantras, such as hari haraya and krishna krishna and jay nrisimha sri nrisimha mantras. But we have got this mantra in disciplic succession, so it is THE MAHA MANTRA, its absolute and non different from Krishna and everything is there.

One could say that it is not that the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the topmost, but it is the mood and meaning of the mantra that is the topmost. It is a prayer requesting pure unmotivated loving devotional service of the Lord and His associates free from any tinge of desire for personal wellbeing and benefit, and that this is the topmost prayer. Religious processes change according to time, place and circumstance, but the attitude and mood as found in the meaning of the maha-mantra prayer is the one mood is that is good for all times, places, circumstances, countries, yugas and religions.

[quote][cite] deena:[/cite]One could say that it is not that the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the topmost, but it is the mood and meaning of the mantra that is the topmost. [/quote]Sorry deena but this is not correct...because Krsna is non-different from His Holy names (contained in the Hare Krsna maha mantra) He is present there - also Lord Caitanya has stated that there is on other way in the Kali yuga other than chanting the Hare Krsna mantra which by definition makes it the topmost mantra.

[quote][cite] rasa108:Sorry deena but this is not correct...because Krsna is non-different from His Holy names (contained in the Hare Krsna maha mantra) He is present there - [/quote]

Thanks Rasa for mentioning this this is a fundamental point of the philosophy.

I still stick by my point though, that anyone who prays with the same pure mood of unalloyed devotion as exemplified in the maha-mantra, even though they may not say the words hare, krsna or rama, can still get the same benefit. Otherwise what is the meaning of Krishna being called Bhava-grahi Janardana?

deena: Your suggestion is that if someone prays with the same pure mood then they dont need to chant the Hare Krsna mantra to get the same benefit....how do they come to this pure stage?....what is your suggestion for coming to this stage other than to chant the Hare Krsna mantra and follow the process of sadhana bhakti...please enlighten us on an alternative other than that given to us by Lord Caitanya.

There are other mantras depending to the line you are in radha krishna mantra is for example given to many perfect siddhas in our line (line of Jahnavi Mata). However according to our philosophy ANY name of Krishna can give topmost perfection, but mantra should be received in parampara, that is the key. ys

Agreed ccd....in our line of disciplic succession the Hare Krsna mantra has been prescribed as the the great or topmost mantra for the age of Kali and the only process for attaining the spiritual world - I dont think there can be any doubt that one needs to chant this maha mantra to reach the perfect stage (so by definition it is the topmost mantra in the Kali yuga) - its not just that somehow someone can come to that stage and have this pure state of prayer without it.

Krishna is only attainable through the maha mantra? Better say that is the method given to us by our spiritual master and is the best for us.
Krishna is in all his Holy Names.
Not that we equal our age and circumstances with a fundamentalist "whole world" "all ages" view. Of course feels better to feel special, but other devotees attained Krishna by other means and mantras and they are not less or different.

Mishra: Isnt the maha mantra purifying for all souls? Maybe Ive misunderstood but I was under the impression that for everyone in Kali yuga the process of sadhana bhakti, which includes chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, can potentially save everyone - not that we need to feel better about ourselves because of this fact but we can certainly preach that the process is perfect....I would be interested to know which devotees you refer to and if their way of attaining Krsna has been recommended by Srila Prabhupada.

"...If you meet again Professor Bernhard, you can talk with him that this Krishna Consciousness Movement is for understanding one God, one scripture, one mantra, and one engagement for all living entities, not only within this world, but throughout the whole universe." Letter to Krishna dasa - August 5, 1969

Srutis and Smritis about the Hare Krishna maha-mantra preached by Lord Chaitanya

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:

'93The 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.'94

(3) iti shodasa kalasya jivasyavarana vinasanam;
tatah prakasate para brahma medhapaye ravi rasmi mandali veti

'93This 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.'94

Here is some more

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:

'93The 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.

'93These three seed names of the maha-mantra of the Supreme Lord (Hari, Krishna, and Rama) may be explained in the following way: {1} '91Hari'92 means He who removes (harati) the knot of material desire in the hearts of the living entities; {2} '91Krishna'92 is composed of the two syllables '91krish'92 and '91na'92. '91Krish'92 means He who attracts the minds of all living entities, and '91na'92 means the supreme transcendental pleasure; and {3} '91Rama'92 means He who is the personification of all transcendental bliss.

(13) mantro guhyah paramo bhakti-vedyah.

'93The 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.'94

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

'93Those 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.'94

agni purane

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare;
ratanti helaya vapi, te kritartha na samsayah.

Here is some more

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

'93Hare 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.'94

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:

'93All 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.'94

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:

'93The 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.'94 (Translation by Srila Prabhupada)

vayu purane

kalau nashta-drisam esha, mat-padyarka udeshyati.

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

'93'91For 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.

'93'91Hare 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 '92pi syan, mama bhakto na samsayah.

'93'91Everyone 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.'92'94

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 '91taraka-brahma-nama'92 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'92s 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.

Here is some more

Abandoning this maha-mantra, those who recite verses or poems or songs which have been manufactured through someone'92s 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:

'93The 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'92s tongue.'94

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:

'93Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare;
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.'94

(2) prabhu bole,-'93kahilan ei mahamantra;
iha japa giya sabe koriya nirbandha.'94

The Lord said, '93Please hear this Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Everyone please chant this maha-mantra daily in '91nirbandha'92 or constantly. '93

(3) iha hoite sarva-siddhi hoibe sabara
sarva-kshana bolo'92 ithe vidhi nahi ara

The Lord continued, '93By chanting in this way one will achieve all perfection in one'92s life. Please keep on chanting constantly because there is no consideration of any rules and regulations for this chanting process.'94

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

Here is some more

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:

'93For 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.'94

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:

'93In 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.'94

(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:

'93My 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.'94

(3) krite yad dhyayato vishnum, tretayam yajato makhaih;
dvapare paricaryayam, kalau tad dhari-kirtanat.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.52) it is said:

'93Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord'92s lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.'94

(4) kalim sabhajayanty arya, guna-jnah sara-bhaginah;
yatra sankirtanenaiva, sarva-svartho '92bhilabhyate.

Here some more

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

'93Those 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'92s goal simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.'94

(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:

'93I 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.'94

(6) etan nirvidyamananam, icchatam akuto-bhayam;
yoginam nripa nirnitam, harer naamnukirtanam.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) it is said:

'93O 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.'94

(7) mantratas tantratas chidram, desa-kalarha-vastutah;
sarvam karoti nischidram, anusankirtanam tava.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (8.23.16) it is said:

'93There 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'92s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.'94

(8) etavan eva loke '92smin, pumsam dharmah parah smritah;
bhakti-yogo bhagavati, tan-nama-grahanadibhih.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.33.22) it is said:

'93Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.'94

(8) sankirtyamano bhagavan anantah
srutanubhavo vyasanam hi pumsam
pravisya cittam vidhunoty asesham
yatha tamo '92rko '92bhram ivati-vatah

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.12.48) it is said:

'93When 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.'94

padma purana

dhyayan krite yajan yajnais, tretayam dvapare '92rcayan;
yad apnoti tad apnoti, kalau sankirtya kesavam.

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

'93Whatever is achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by the performance of yajna in Treta-yuga or by the worship of Krishna'92s lotus feet in Dvapara-yuga is also obtained in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the glories of Lord Kesava.'94

narayana-samhitayam

dvapariyair janair vishnuh, pancaratrais tu kevalaih;
kalau tu naam-matrena, pujyate bhagavan harih.

In the Narayana Samhita, it is said:

'93In 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.'94

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:

'93The 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.'94

vishnu-rahasye

yad abhyarcya harim bhaktya, krite kratu-satair api;
phalam prapnoty avikalam, kalau govinda-kirtanat.

In the Vishnu Rahasya, it is said:

'93Whatever 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:

'93Therefore 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.'94

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:

'93In 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.'94

(2) avatari'92 Chaitanya kaila dharma-pracarana
kali-kale dharma-krishna-nama-sankirtana

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

'93In 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.'94

hari-nama-cintamanau

varnasrama-dharma ara sankhya-yoga-jnana;
kalijive uddharite nahe balavan.

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

'93The practices of discharging one'92s 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'92 haila yuga-dharma.

'93Also 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'92;
kali-yuge naam-sange svayam avatari.

'93My 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.

'93You 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.

'93The 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.

'93The 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.'94