What is the power of the Hare Krishna mantra?

[Jahnu Dasa]

The power of the Hare Krishna maha-manta is to liberate one from samsara (the endless cycle of birth and death) and reestablish the soul in its original position of eternal knowledge and bliss.

In his book, Prema-vilasa, Jagadananda Pandit - a contemporary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and who is Satyabhama in Krishna lila - states that the only way to obtain Krishna is by constantly petitioning Him.

So the Hare Krishna mantra is a petition to God to be engaged in His service.
When we chant the Hare Krishna mantra, we are praying - O Radhe, O Krishna- All Attractive One, O Rama - Reservoir of Pleasure, please engage me in Your service.

It is understood that one can only approach Krishna through His energy - Radharani, Sri Radhe is Krishna’s Hladhini-shakti or God’s pleasure potency. The original position of the jiva is to be enjoyed by God. So when we chant Hare Krishna we are asking Radharani to be reinstated in the energy She extends to please Krishna.

In the Hare Krishna mantra, Hare is in the vocative case, and addresses Radharani. So the Hare Krishna mantra is a petition to Radharani to be engaged in Krishna’s service.

Lord Brahma (creator god) says:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

"This mantra, consisting of 16 words and 32 syllables, is the only means against evil in the age of Kali. After searching through all the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krsna."

--- Kali-santarana Upanishad