The Kali Santarana Upanishad is the origin of the Maha Mantra. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare The Kali Santarana Upanishad tells us "iti shodashakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nashanam; natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drishyate. iti shodasha kalasya jivasyavarana vinashanam; tatah prakashate para brahma medhapaye ravi rashmi mandali veti". Iti: thus Shodashakam: sodasam:sixteen, kam: words Namnam: of names kali-kalmasha-nashanam: Kali: Kali Yuga, kalmasa:sins, nashanam:destroyer natah: na:no, athah:than parataropayah: paratara:other; upayah:remedy sarva-vedeshu: sarva:in all, vedeshu: Vedic scriptures drishyate: is seen iti: thus shodasha: sixteen kalasya: kalavrtasya—having sixteen jivasya: the soul avarana: veiling/covering vinashanam: is destroyed tatah: thereafter prakashate: shines forth para: supreme brahama: Supreme Consciosness meghapaye: megha:cloud; apaye:on being removed ravi: Sun rashmi: rays mandala: collection veti: (eva) like. Thus, these sixteen names destroy all sins during Kali. No other remedy than this is to be had in all the Vedas. Thus, these sixteen names destroy the 16 veils(kala) in which the jiva(soul) is enveloped (avarana). Thereafter, like a collection of Sun rays shines when clouds are dispersed, Parabrahman shines forth. Here the sixteen layers of illusion, which comprise the subtle body are explained. 1) Prana: Life force 2) Sraddha: Faith 3) Kham: Ether 4) Vayu: Air 5) Jyotir: Fire/Light 6) Apah: Water 7) Prithivi: Earth 8) Indryam: Sense organs 9) Manah: Mind 10) Annam: (the sheath of eaten) Food 11) Viryam: Vital energy 12) Tapah: Meditation/Inner heat 13) Mantrah: Sonic power 14) Karma: Actions 15) Lokah: Realms of existence 16) Nama – Individuation Whilst these veils (illusions) cover the Atman (self), it is known as Jiva. When the veils are removed, it is once again, Parabrahma. Returned to Godhead