Why is Hare Krishna called Maha-mantra and where is it mentioned?

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> Can you please tell why hare krishna is THE MAHAMANTRA?

> which vedas specify it to be so?

 

The maha-mantra is mentioned in various scriptures as the only means of

deliverance in this age of Kali:

 

The Upanisads on the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra:

(Kali-santarara Upanisad)

 

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam

natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate

 

The sixteen names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra: hare krsna hare krsna krsna

krsna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare destroy all the

inauspiciousness of the age of Kali. This is the conclusion of all the Vedas.

 

The Puranas on the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra:

(Agni-Purana)

 

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

ratanti halaya vapi te krtartha na samsayah

 

Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare: Whoever chants this mantra, even

neglectfully, will attain the supreme goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.

 

Vedic Samhitas on the maha-mantra:

(Ananta-Samhita)

 

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

sodasaitani namani dvatrimsad varnakani hi

kalau yuge maha-mantrah sammato jivatarane

varjayitva tu namaitad durjanaih parikalpitam

chandobaddham susiddhanta viruddham nabhyaset padam

tarakam brahma-namaitad brahmana gurunadina

kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh

praptam sri brahma-sisyena sri naradena dhimata

namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah

utsrjyaitan-maha-mantram ye tvanyat kalpitam padam

mahanameti gayanti te sastra-guru langhanah

tattva-virodha-sanprktam tadrsam daurjanam matam

sravatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

 

Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare

hare: This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the maha-mantra in the

age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never

abandon chanting this maha-mantra and take to other so-called purificatory

processes which are practiced by rascals, or engage in chanting other metrical

compositions of the name of Krsna that are against the pure conclusions of the

scriptures, or are filled with rasabhasa. About this divinely spiritual

maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru,

Lord Brahma, has said, kali-santararadi srutite, "The srutis have declared this

mantra to be the best means of deliverance in the age of Kali". Having all

heard this from Brahma, the sons and disciples of Brahma, beginning with

Narada, all accepted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and, having meditated on it,

attained perfection.

 

> I can't understand why people go behind various demigods.

> yesterday I came across a book which says Mahamantra & gives om ganapathaye

> namah.

 

The answer is given by Krsna Himself in the Gita 7.20 & 23

 

kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah

prapadyante 'nya-devatah

tam tam niyamam asthaya

prakrtya niyatah svaya

 

Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto

demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according

to their own natures.

 

antavat tu phalam tesam

tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam

devan deva-yajo yanti

mad-bhakta yanti mam api

 

Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited

and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the

demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Your servant,

Nayana-ranjana das