The devotees of Lord Sri Krishna, derive unlimited bliss and satisfaction by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. They are endowed with divine potency for inundating the entire world in a flood of love of Godhead. The mantra is:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
There are many Vedic references which specifically recommend the
chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra as the most effective means of reaching spiritual realization and counteracting all the problems
of this age. Some of these verses are the following:
"All mantras and all processes for self-realization are compressed
into the Hare Krishna maha-mantra."
Narada-pancaratra
"These sixteen words--Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna,
Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare--are especially meant for counteracting the ill effects of the present age of quarrel
and anxiety."
Kali-santarana
Upanishad
"In this age there is no use in meditation, sacrifice and temple
worship. Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna--Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare
Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare--one can achieve perfect self-realization."
Vishnu Purana
6.2.17
"Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth
and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krishna, which is feared by fear personified."
Bhag.1.1.14
"The self-realization which was achieved in the Satya millennium by
meditation, in the Treta millennium by the performance of different sacrifices, and in the Dvapara millennium by worship of Lord Krishna, can be achieved in the age of Kali
simply by chanting the holy names, Hare Krishna."
Bhag.12.3.52
Hindus believe that chanting the Lord's names is an effective process
because the Lord and His names are identical: they are the same spiritual energy.
For example, by chanting Hare Krishna a devotee is in immediate contact with God. If
he/she chant someone else's name, he/she cannot enjoy their association because the name and
the person are different.
Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-lila, 17.131-133) explains that there is no difference between the Lord's name,
form, or personality, and they are all transcendentally sweet. Krishna's name is the same as Krishna Himself, and is not material in
any way. It gives spiritual benedictions and is full of pleasure. In
Caitanya-cartamrta (Adi-lila, 17.22, and the Padma Purana), the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra is said to be the sound incarnation of Krishna, and anyone who chants this mantra is not only in direct association
with Krishna, but is also delivered from the clutches of the material energy.
The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is so powerful that one who sincerely takes shelter of it will attain all the
desired results of connection with the Supreme.
"The name of the Lord need not be chanted with regard to place, time,
circumstantial conditions, preliminary self-purification or any other factors. Rather, it is completely independent of all other processes
and rewards all the desires of those who eagerly chant it."
Skanda
Purana
The Caitanya- caritamrta (Madhya-lila, 15.107) also points out that one is freed of
all sinful reactions simply by chanting Krishna's names. And all the nine types of devotional service are completed by this process.
Return to: Mantras And Sacred Symbols
See Also:
Krishna Worship
How To Chant
Rudraksha Beads - Hinduism's 'Miracle Bead'

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