Q. What is the difference between chanting Hare Krishna & mantras of the other bonafide sampradayas?

A. If a mantra has been invented or pieced together from other mantras, it simply won’t have any effect. If it is sold for someone’s personal gain, or received by someone who is materially motivated, it won’t work either. There may be effects like relaxation or stress reduction, but there will not be the transcendental effect of liberation from material bondage. In other words, there won’t be a permanent spiritual effect but at best a temporary effect on the material body or mind.

In the Brihad-Naradiya Purana we find a very specific injunction about selecting the best mahamantra : In this age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Krishna .

The Hare Krishna mahamantra is specifically mentioned in the Kali-santarana Upanishad . Besides the Hare Krishna mahamantra , there are many other bona fide mantras used by devotees of Krishna . But the Vedic scriptures declare that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra one receives the benefits of all other mantras. Therefore, chanting Hare Krishna is the most important spiritual activity.