What is the dharma in kali-yuga according to Vedic scriptures?

In the Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.36, it is stated:

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann
asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet
krte yad dhyayato visnum tretayam yajato makhaih
dvapare paricaryayam kalau tad dhari-kirtanat

"The most important factor in this Age of Kali, which is an ocean of faults, is that one can be free from all contamination and become eligible to enter the kingdom of God simply by chanting the holy names. The self-realization that 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 Krsna can be achieved in the Age of Kali simply by chanting the holy names." (12.3.51-2)
 
krsna varnam tvisakrsnam
sangopangastra parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair
yajanti hi sumedhasah

 “In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the holy name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.” (Srimad Bhagavatam (11.5.32))
 
dhyayan krte yajan
yajnais- tretayam dvapare
rcayan yadapnoti tadapnoti
kalau samkirtaya kesavam

"The supreme goal which was attained in Satya-yuga by years of prolonged meditation; in Treta-yuga by performing extensive yajnas; in Dvapara-yuga by opulent and scrupulous Deity worship; in Kali-yuga the same results are easily had simply by the chanting of the holy names of Kesava (Krsna)." (Visnu Purana)
 
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha

"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting of the holy name of ONLY Lord Hari. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way." (Brhad Naradiya Purana)
 
harinama para ye ca ghore kali-yuge narah
te eva krtakrtyasca na kalir badhate hi tan hare
kesava govinda vasudeva jaganmaya
itirayanti ye nityam na hi tam badhate kalih

"In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme Lord Krsna should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full shelter of the holy name. This is their real responsibility and duty. There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krsna: Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who chants constantly with unflinching faith, he remains unaffected by the reverses of Kali-yuga, because his heart has become purified by chanting." (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
 
hari-nama-para ye ca
hari-kirtana tat parah
hari-puja-para ye ca te
krtarthah kalau-yuge

 "Those who engage in chanting the holy name of Lord Hari (japa), are addicted to congregational chanting (kirtana) and engage in the worship of Lord Hari, have accomplished their desires in the age of Kali." (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
 
dhyayan krte yajan
yajnais tretayam dvapare
’rcayan yad apnoti tad apnoti
kalau sankirtya kesavam

"Whatever is achieved in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta by offering ritual sacrifices and in Dvapara by temple worship is achieved in Kali-yuga by chanting the names of Lord Kesava congregationally." (Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 42nd Chapter)
 
satyam kali-yuga vipra
sri harer nama mangalam
param svastyayanam nrnam
nasty-eva gatir anyatha

"Oh brahmana, chanting of the holy name of Sri Hari is the auspicious process in Kali Yuga. It is the highest auspiciousness for mankind. There is no other way." (Padma Purana)
 
krsna krsneti krsneti
svapan jagrad vrajamstatha
yo jalpati kalau nityam
krsna-rupi bhaveddhi sah

"Whoever continuously chants Lord Krsna's holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realise that the name is a direct manifestation of Krsna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. This has been ordained by Lord Krsna. (Varaha Purana)
 
kali-kala kusarpasya
tiksna-damstrasya ma bhayam
govinda-nama-danena
dagdhoyasyati bhasmatam

"I see that Kali-yuga is like a black, poisonous snake with a gaping mouth and fangs. But please be unperturbed dear devotees and listen with faith. Once the holy name of Lord Govinda is being chanted, it is like igniting a forest fire which will burn to ashes the poisonous snakes within the forest. (Skanda Purana)
 
mahabhagavata nityam
kalau samkirtaya kesavam

"The hallmark of a mahabhagavata, the most elevated devotee in Kali-yuga is that he chants the holy name of Lord Kesava (Krsna) constantly. (Skanda Purana)
 
varjams-tisthan svapannasnan svasan
vakya-prapuranenama-samkirtanam
visnor- helaya kali-vardhanam krtva
svarupatam yati bhakti-yuktam param vrajet

"In our normal activities of eating, sleeping, sitting, dreaming, etc. to chant Krsna's names, while nullify the ill effects of Kali-yuga, is the perfection of speech. Even it a person chants Krsna's names indifferently, he will surely achieve his svarupa, or original spiritual self and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. He will reach Vaikuntha, the supreme goal. (Linga Purana)
 
And finally, Srila Madhvacarya himself, quoting Narayana Samhita, in his Mundakopanisad Bhasya says –

dvapariyair janair visnuh
pancaratrais tu kevalam
kalau tu nama-matrena
pujyate bhagavan harih

"In the Dvapara-yuga people should worship Lord Visnu only by the regulative principles of the pancaratra and other such authorized books. In the Age of Kali, however, people should only chant the holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
 
 PURIFICATION BY CHANTING
The portency of the offenseless chanting is so immense that even the most fallen and sinful person can obtain enormous spiritual benefits by enganging in this process.

SB 3.33.7
aho bata sva-paco 'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te

Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Aryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required. (Devahuti to Lord Kapiladev) SB 6.3.31
 
tasmat sankirtanam visnor
jagan-mangalam amhasam
mahatam api kauravya
viddhy aikantika-niskrtam
 
 My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the sankirtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously. (Sri Sukadeva Goswami to Maharaja Parikshita) (Brhad Vishnu Purana )
 
namno hi yavati saktih
papa-nirarane hareh tavat
kartum na saknoti
patakam pataki narah
 
 Simply by chanting the holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions of more sins than he is able to commit.
 
THE REMEDY FOR THE AGE OF KALI
The Srimad Bhagavatam, spoken 5,000 years ago accurately predicted the symptoms in the current age of Kali, also known as the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. However, this age has also received special benediction by the merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, to make it very easy for us to return back home, back to Godhead.
 
prayenalpayusah sabhya kalav asmin
yuge janah mandah sumanda-matayo
manda-bhagya hy upadrutah
 
O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed. [Sukadeva Goswami] SB 1.1.10
 
dure vary-ayanam tirtham lavanyam kesa-dharanam
udaram-bharata svarthah satyatve dharstyam eva hi
daksyam kutumba-bharanam yaso 'rthe dharma-sevanam
 
A sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance, and beauty will be thought to depend on one's hairstyle. Filling the belly will become the goal of life, and one who is audacious will be accepted as truthful. He who can maintain a family will be regarded as an expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation. [Sukadeva Goswami] SB 12.2.6
 
kaler dosa-nidhe rajan
asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya
mukta-sangah param 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 Krishna mahamantra one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcedental kingdom. [Sukadeva Goswami] 12.3.51
 
krte yad dhyayato visnum
tretayam yajato makhaih
dvapare paricaryayam
kalau tad dhari-kirtanat
 
Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga be meditating on Visnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord's feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. [Sukadeva Goswami] 12.3.52
 
kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara
nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara
 
In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. CC Adi 17.22
 
THE POWER OF CHANTING
All Vedic scriptures have glorified the chanting of holy name as the most portend method to free one from material attachments and develop a love for spirituality. The following verses from Srimad Bhagavatam nicely illustrate this point.
 
apannah samsrtim ghoram
yan-nama vivaso grnan
tatah sadyo vimucyeta
yad bibheti svayam bhayam
 
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 Krsna, which is feared by fear personified. (SB 1.1.14 )
 
srnvanti gayanti grnanty abhiksnasah
smaranti nandanti tavehitam janah
ta eva pasyanty acirena tavakam
bhava-pravahoparamam padambujam
 
O Krsna, those who continuously hear, chant and repeat Your transcendental activities, or take pleasure in others' doing so, certainly see Your lotus feet, which alone can stop the repetition of birth and death. (1.8.36)
 
etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam
yoginam nrpa nirnitam
harer namanukirtanam
 
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. (SB 2.1.11)
 
THE MAHA-MANTRA FOR KALI-YUGA
In the Vedic scriptures it is mentioned that to save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga there is no other alternative, but to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. No other mantra is superior to this taraka-brahma nama (Hare Krsna) maha-mantra.

The Hare Krsna maha-mantra has been prescribed by Lord Brahma in the Kalisantarana Upanisad (5; 6) of Krishna Yajur Veda as follows:
 
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 ||
 
Lord Brahma instructs his son and disciple, Narada Muni as follows: “The sixteen words of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra - (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) - are especially meant for counteracting the sins of Kali-yuga. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga there is no other alternative, but to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.After searching through all the Vedic scriptures one cannot find a method of religion for this age (Kali-yuga) so sublime as the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.”
 
In the Vedic scripture, Sri Brahma Yamala, it is stated as follows:
 
harim bina nasti kijcat papani-starakam kalau | tasmal-lokod-dharana-artham hari-nama prakasayet ||
sarvatra mucyate loko maha-papat kalau yuge | hare-krsna-pada-dvandvam krsneti ca pada-dvayam ||
tatha hare-pada-dvandvam hare-rama iti dvayam | tad-ante ca maha-devi rama rama dvayam vadet ||
hare hare tato bruyad harinama samud dharet | maha-mantram ca krsnasya sarvapapa pranasakamiti ||
 
Lord Siva says to Parvati-devi: “O Mahadevi! Look! In Kali-yuga there is no easier way to eradicate sins than by the holy names of Lord Krsna. It is therefore essential to propagate the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra among the general populous. The people in Kali-yuga can be easily liberated from the greatest hell by performing sankirtana of this Hare Krsna maha-mantra. To chant the maha-mantra, first chant hare krsna twice, then chant krsna twice, then hare twice. After that, chant hare rama twice, then rama twice and again hare twice. Thus the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. One should chant, articulate and perform sankirtana etc., of this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, which destroys all sins.”
 
Furthermore, Sri Ananta-samhita states:
 
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 Kali-yuga 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 Krishna that are against the pure conclusions of the scriptures, or are filled with rasaabhaas. About this divinely spiritual maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said, kali-santararadi sruti, "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 Krishna maha-mantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection.
 
Moreover, in the Brahmanda Purana, Radha Hrdya Khanda, Romaharsana Suta prays to Sri Vedavyasa as follows:
 
yat tvaya kirtitam natha hari-nameti sanjitam | mantram brahma-padam siddhi karam-tad-vad-no-vibho ||
 
“O master, O mighty one! Please glorify the Hari-nama mantra situated in transcendence, the cause of all perfection!”
 
grhanad yasya mantrasya dehi brahma-mayo bhavet |
sadhyah putah surapo ‘pi sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet | tad-aham te ‘bhidhasyami maha-bhagavato hamsi ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
iti sodasakam namnam tri-kala kalmasapaham | natah parataropayah sarva vedesu vidhyate ||
 
Sri Vedavyasa said to Romaharsana Suta “O my son the embodied soul who takes up the maha-mantra will become filled with transcendence, and by accepting it, even a drunkard will attain all perfections. I will recite this mantra to you, for you are a swan-like maha-bhagavata and a suitable candidate. Just see! The sixteen word maha-mantra, ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’, can destroy the sins of the three worlds. The Vedas do not mention a method for achieving liberation from material bondage superior to the chanting of this maha-mantra.
 
In Sri Radha Tantra, the following is stated:
 
srnu matarmahamaye visva-bija-svarupini | hari namno mahamaye kramaG vad suresvari ||
 
“Hear me, O mother Mahamaya, seed of the universe personified, mistress of the gods! Please explain the sequence of Hari-nama.”
 
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
dvatrim sadaksaranyeva kalau namani sarvadam | etanmantram suta srestha prathamam srnuyannarah ||
 
Tripura-devi said: “O best among sons! The maha-mantra for Kali-yuga bestows all perfection. This maha-mantra, is composed of sixteen names and thirty-two syllables: ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’. Therefore, a person who desires his own welfare should first hear this Hare Krsna maha-mantra from a bonafide spiritual master.”
 
The Hare-Krsna maha-mantra is also mentioned in the Sanat-Kumara-samhita as follows:
 
hare-krsnau dvir avrttau | krsna tadrk tatha hare ||
hare rama tatha rama | tatha tadrg ghare manuh ||
 
”The words hare krsna are repeated twice, and then krsna and hare are both separately twice repeated. In the same way, hare rama, rama and hare are twice repeated.The maha-mantra is thus: ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’.”
 
Also in the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna says to Lord Brahma:
 
tatha catra bhavisyami bhaktyanugraha-kamyaya |
 sahasraso’vatara me gita brahman yuge yuge | bana-margair veda-margai ripunam tatra sanksayam ||
bhaktanam taranam krtva khyapitam sva-yasah ksitau | kalau nasta-drsam esa mat-padyarka udesyat ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
sakrd dvis trir yatha-sakti yavaj jivam athapi va | vyaharan svapaco’pi syan mama bhakto na samsayah ||
 
“O Brahma, yuga after yuga I kindly appear in many thousands of incarnations.” “Walking either on the path of arrows or the path of the Vedas, I deliver the devotees, destroy their enemies, and place My glory on the earth.” “For they who have become blinded by Kali-yuga, a mantra with My holy names will rise like a glorious sun. This verse is: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” “One should chant this mantra once, twice, thrice, as many times as one is able, or again and again for as long as one lives. By chanting this maha-mantra even a dogeater may become My devotee.”
 
Also in the Brahmanda Purana, Uttara Khanda 6.55 it is stated:
 
Pipplada mentions that Vrsabhanu Maharaja once prayed to Kratu Muni, “O Lord, if you want to favour me, then please donate to me the names of Hari.” At that moment the saintly Kratu Muni gave him the sixteen name maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare). By clearly pronouncing this maha-mantra, one can attain brahma (salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya). Not only that, one can attain krsna-prema, the fifth goal of human life (panca purusartha).’ ”
 
In the Caitanya-Upanisad, Atharva-Veda, Lord Brahma tells his son Pipplada as follows:
 
mantro guhyah paramo bhakti vedyah
 
“The Maha-Mantra is confidential, transcendental and can be understood only by devotional service, (bhakti-yoga).”
 
namany astav asta ca sobhanani |
tani nityam ye japanti dhiras te vai mayam atitaranti nanyah |
paramam mantram parama-rahasyam nityam avartayanti ||
 
These sixteen names are supremely beautified. Those who chant them regularly are sober persons who are able to cross beyond the illusory energy. There is no other means. One should repeat this maha-mantra which is the supreme secret, regularly.
 
In the Caitanya Upanisad it is further stated by Lord Brahma as follows:
 
sva nama-mula-mantrena sarvam hladayati vibhuh | sa eve mulam-mantram japati haririti krsna iti rama iti ||
 
“The name is the root of all mantras, the splendid one bringing joy to everyone. This root-mantra is chanted as Hari, Krsna and Rama.”
 
sa eva mUla-mantraM japati harir iti kRSNa iti rAma iti || 11 ||
 
“He (Lord Caitanya) chants the original mantra consisting of Hari, Krishna and Rama.”
 
harati hRdaya-granthiM vAsanA-rUpam iti hariH.
kRSiH smaraNe tac ca Nas tad ubhaya-melanam iti kRSNaH.
ramayati sarvam iti rAma Ananda-rUpaH. atra zloko bhavati || 12 ||
 
“He who removes the knot in the heart in the form of material desire, is called Hari. The union by the remembrance of the root krs- and the affix - na, is the hymn of praise - Krishna. He who gives pleasure to everything is the form of bliss - Rama. Thus the verse becomes.”
 
In the Padma Purana it is stated about the maha-mantra as follows:
 
dvatrimsad-aksaram mantram nama-sodasakanvitam |
prajapan vaisnavo nityam radha-krsna-sthalam labhet ||
 
"Those Vaisnavas who always chant the maha-mantra composed of sixteen names divided into thirty-two syllables (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) attain Sri Vrndavana, the abode of Sri Radha-Krsna."
 
In the Padma Purana the following statement on the congregational chanting of the maha-mantra is also found:
 
harer nama maha-mantrair nasyet papa pisacakam |
harer agra svarair uccair nrtyam stan-namakrin-narah | punati bhuvanam vipra! gaggadi salilam yatha ||
hare pradaksinam kurvann uccais tan nama krin narah | karataladi sandhanam susvaram kala sabditam ||
 
“Anyone who dances in front of Sri Hari and loudly chants the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) will destroy all witches of sin. Just as the water of sacred rivers like the Ganga purify the universe, similarly those who circumambulate Sri Hari and loudly perform nama sankirtana of the sixteen word maha-mantra with sweet voices and while clapping the hands, purify the entire universe.”
 
In the Smriti  sastra it says:

advitiyam yatha mantram tarakam brahma namakam
japitva siddhim apnoti satyam satyam vadamy aham
imam eva japan mantram tryamabakas tripur antakam
 
Chanting the peerless taraka-brahma-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare), which is taraka-brahma-nama, the great chanting for deliverance in Kali-yuga, one obtains perfection. This is the truth. This is the truth. It is only by chanting this great mantra Lord Siva killed the Tripurasuras.
 
Gopala Guru Gosvami, drawing from the Brahmanda Purana has presented the following meaning for the maha-mantra:
 
vijjapya bhagavat-tattvam cid ghanananda vigraham | haratyavidham tatkaryamato haririti smrtah ||
harati sri-krsna-manah krsnahlada-svarupini | ato harety anenaiva sri-radha parikirtita ||
anandaikasukhah sriman syamah kamala locanah | gokulanando nanda-nandanah krsna iryate ||
vaidagdhi sarasarvasvam murtalila dhidaivatam | sri radham ramayan nityam rama ity abhidiyate ||
 
“The Lord is known as Hari because he takes away the ignorance of his devotees by revealing to them the actual nature of the Supreme Lord and his personal spiritual form.
 
Because She steals Krishna's mind, because She is the incarnation of Krishna's joy, Radha is also known by the name Hara.
 
The dark, lotus-eyed lord, the only master of the highest joy, who brings pleasure to Gokula, the son of Nanda, is known as Krishna.
 
Krishna is also known as Rama because the joys of conjugal life are the essence of his being, because He is the titulary deity of loving sports incarnate, and because he brings pleasure to Srimati Radharani.”
 
The fruit of chanting the thirty-two-syllable maha-mantra is described in the Padma Purana, Svarga Khanda 50.6 as follows:
 
 harir eva samaradhyah | sarva deve suresvarah ||
hari nama maha mantrair | nasyatpapa pisacakam ||
 
All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare), are removed.
 
The dhyana that accompanies this maha-mantra is also found in the Sanat-kumara-samhita as follows:
 
dhyayed vrndavane ramye gopa-gobhir alankrte | kadamba-padapa-cchaye yamuna-jala-sitale ||
radhaya sahitam krsnam vamsi-vadana-tat-param | tribhanga-lalitam devam bhaktanugraha-karakam ||
 
 “Sri Krsna is sporting in the cooling waters of the Yamuna, or in the shade of a kadamba tree in the beautiful Vrndavana forest. He is ornamented (surrounded) by the cows and gopas, and is accompanied by Sri Radha. He is very skillful at playing the flute as He stands in a charming tribhanga pose, bestowing mercy and kindness upon the bhaktas.”
 
Sri Kalisantarana Upanisad
 
harih aum |
 dvaparante narado brahmanam jagama katham
 bhagavan gam paryatan kalim santareyam iti | 1
 
"At the end of Dvapara-yuga, after traveling around the world, Sri Narada approached Lord Brahma and after offering his obeisances asked him: 'How may one overcome the evil effects of Kali-yuga?'"
 
sa hovaca brahma
sadhu prshto asmi sarvasrutirahasyam
gopyam tacchrunu yena kalisamsaram tarishyasi |
 
"Lord Brahma replied: 'You have asked me an excellent question. I shall reveal to you the most confidential secret of the entire Vedas, by which one will cross over the (ocean of) samsara filled with the bad effects of the Kali Yuga. This secret must be preserved and protected.'"
 
bhagavata adi purushasya narayanasya namoccarana matrena nirdhrta kalirbhavati|
 
Lord Brahma replied ‘O son, you have asked an excellent question. Please hear the most confidential secret of the entire Vedas by which you can easily be freed from the clutches of Kali.’"'By merely uttering the names of that adi purusa who is Bhagavan Sri Narayana (Krsna), one is freed from the clutches of Kali.'
 
naradah punah papraccha tannama kimiti |
 
Narada asked again: 'What are those names of the Supreme Lord?'"
 
sa hovaca hiranyagarbhah |
hare krshna hare krshna krshna krshna hare hare |
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
iti shodasakam namnam kalikalmashanasanam |
natah parataropayah sarvavedeshu drsyate ||
 
Lord Brahma instructed Narada as follows: “The sixteen words of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra - Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare - are especially meant for counteracting the sins of Kali-yuga. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga there is no other alternative, but to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. After searching through all the Vedic scriptures one cannot find a method of religion for this age (Kali-yuga) so sublime as the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.”
 
iti shodasa kalavrtasya jivasya varana vinasanam |
tatah prakasate param brahma meghapaye ravirasmi mandaliveti |
 
"'This mantra destroys the sixteen kalas of the jiva, beginning with the prana, which constitute the veil of ignorance. Then the Supreme Lord manifests before the jiva, just as the sun’s rays shine brightly after a covering of cloud is removed.’'"
 
punar naradah papraccha bhagavan ko asya vidhiriti |
 
 “Narada then asked, ‘Oh Lord, what are the rules and regulations for chanting this maha-mantra?’
 
tam hovaca nasya vidhiriti |
 
 “Lord Brahma replied by saying, ‘There are no rules and regulations for chanting this maha-mantra.
 
sarvada sucirasucirva pathan brahmanah salokatam samipatam sarupatam sayujyatameti |
 
"'By always properly chanting this maha-mantra, whether in a pure or impure state, one can attain Brahma i.e the four kinds of liberation, salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya.'"
 
yadasya shodasikasya sardha-trikotir japati
 tada brahma-hatyam tarati| tarati virahatyam |
 
"'One who chants this mantra of sixteen names, for a total of one and one half crore times, he becomes free from the sin of killing a brahmana. He overcomes the sin of neglecting his domestic fire.'"
 
svarnasteyat puto bhavati |
pitr-deva-manushya-nama-pakarat puto bhavati |
 
"'He becomes free from the sin of stealing gold. He becomes free from the offenses committed against forefathers, Gods and human beings.'"
 
sarvadharma-parityaga-papat sadyah sucita-mapnuyat |
sadyo mucyate sadyo mucyate ity upanishat |
 
"'He quickly becomes free from the sin of giving up all religious duties. He becomes liberated immediately; he becomes liberated immediately. Thus the Upanishad.'"
**Thus ends Sri Kalisantarana Upanisad**
 
LORD CAITANYA’S INSTRUCTION
Srila Vrindavana Das Thakura describes Lord Caitanya’s instructions to Tapana Misra in the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata (1.14.143-147) as follows:
 
sAdhya-sAdhana-tattva ye kichu sakala |
hari-nAma-saGkIrtane milibe sakala || 143 ||
harer nAma harer nAma harer nAmaiva kevalam |
kalau nAsty eva nAsty eva nAsty eva gatir anyathA || 144 ||
hare kRSNa hare kRSNa kRSNa kRSNa hare hare |
hare rAma hare rAma rAma rAma hare hare || 145 ||
ei zloka nAma bali laya mahA-mantra |
zola-nAma batriza-akSara ei tantra || 146 ||
sAdhite sAdhite yabe premAGkura habe |
sAdhya-sAdhana-tattva jAnibA se tabe || 147 ||
 
“Everything is accomplished by Hari-nama sankirtana, including the goal of life (sadhya) and the means for its attainment (sadhana). In this age of Kali, the only means for deliverance is the chanting of the names of Hari. There is no other way, there is no other way, there is no other way. ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’ This verse of names is called the maha-mantra. It contains sixteen names of the Lord, consisting of thirty-two syllables. Chanting this mantra again and again will awaken the sprout of prema within the heart, and thus the goal of life and the means for its attainment is understood.”
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has ordered all human beings of this age (Kali-yuga) to chant the 32-syllable ‘Hare Krsna’ or taraka brahma maha-mantra, calling this Krishna nama, as stated in Sri Caitanya Bhagavata (2.23.75-78):
 
Apane sabAre prabhu kore upadeze |
kRSNa-nAma mahA-mantra zunoho hariSe || 75 ||
hare kRSNa hare kRSNa kRSNa kRSNa hare hare |
hare rAma hare rAma rAma rAma hare hare|| 76 ||
prabhu kohe kohilam ei mahA-mantra |
iha japa giyA sabe koriyA nirbandha|| 77 ||
iha hoite sarva-siddhi hoibe sabAra |
sarva kSaNa bolo ithe vidhi nAhi Ara || 78 ||
 
“The Lord ordered everyone in great joy: ‘Listen to the Krishna-nama maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’ The Lord said: ‘I spoke this maha-mantra. Perform japa of this mantra a prescribed number of times. All perfection will be attained through this. Chant this mantra every moment – there is no other rule.’”