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harer nāma harer nāma / harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva / nāsty eva gatir anyathā
“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, 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.” (quoted also in CC Ādi 7.76)

Lord Caitanya also quoted the following verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam that established the preeminent
importance of the Hare Krishna mantra for the deliverance of people in this age by quoting the following verse:
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ / sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair / yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
“In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead
who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is
accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.” (SB 11.5.32)

The sacrifice (yajna) of Samkirtan (the congregational chanting of the names of Krishna in public) was performed
by Lord Caitanya and His devotees for the salvation of all people today. Lord Caitanya promulgated the glories
of chanting Hare Krishna five hundred years ago. By His mercy it has spread all over the world today. This is the
most benevolent blessing of Lord Krishna to the beleaguered living entities in this world. Simply by chanting the
Mahamantra Hare Krishna one can attain the highest perfection of human life, eternal existence in the spiritual
world called Vaikuntha, the abode where there is no anxiety.

The cream of all Vedic scriptures called the Srimad Bhagavatam written by Vyasadeva the author of all the Vedas
contains the following two verses that conclusively establish the supreme benefit of chanting the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra the unique sacrifice (yagna) recommended for this age of Kali.:
kaler doṣa-nidhe rājann / asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya / mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet

“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by
chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the
transcendental kingdom.” (SB 12.51)
nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ yasya / sarva-pāpa praṇāśanam
praṇāmo duḥkha-śamanas / taṁ namāmi hariṁ param

“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.” (SB 12.
13.23)
There are many different sacrifices (yajnas) recommended in the Vedas:

Sacrifice of the hearing process and the senses in the fire of mental control. Hearing is the best way to assimilate
Vedic knowledge. It is recommended by Vedic authorities to engage always in hearing and chanting the glories
of Lord Krishna especially the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and refrain from hearing mundane topics. At the same
time bring the senses under control by limiting sense gratification according the Vedic rules and regulation for
spiritual life.

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