What does the Maha Mantra mean?

[paul linus]

The word Maha means 'great' and mantra is for 'sacred chant for deliverance.' The word Mantra is broken as 'man' and 'tra.' Man means 'to think' while tra means 'tool' or 'instrument.'

So Maha Mantra means great mantra. It is chanted by Hindus to get benefits of energies.

 

[Nil Thapliyal]

In the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas the Maha Mantra is mentioned. He writes as below:

Mahamantra jo jaat Mahesu
Kasi mukuti Hetu updesu

The above two line suggests a greater mantra is Ram naam.

 

[paul linus]

In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says those who remember him alone and who meditates on him is sure to reach to him. So not directly defining it as Maha Mantra but states the importance of remembering him.

 

[Nil Thapliyal]

Yes, very true. This is the reason in Vedic scriptures one Maha Mantra is mentioned and it has the name of Krishna. Below is the Maha Mantra:

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

 

[paul linus]

If you follow Linga Purana, it is said you can chant the name of Krishna in your normal activities like sitting, eating, sleeping etc. You don't have to dedicate special time for it.