06 The relative potency of the names “Krsna,” “Rama,” and “Visnu”
The holy name "Rama" is equal to one thousand holy names of Visnu:
[Siva to Durga]: "Lord Siva addressed his wife Durga as Varanana and explained, 'I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramacandra is equal to one thousand names of Lord Visnu.'"
– Brhad−visnu−sahasra−nama−stotra, 72.335
– from Padma Purana, Uttara−khanda)
– [cited: Sri Caitanya−caritamrta Madhya−lila 9.32]
The holy name "Krsna" is three times as powerful as the holy name "Rama":
"'The pious results derived from chanting the thousand holy names of Visnu three times can be attained by only one repetition of the holy name of Krsna.'"
This verse from the Brahmanda Purana is found in the Laghu−bhagavatamrta (1.354), by Rtpa Gosvami. For every three times one chants the holy name of Rama, one can attain the same results simply by chanting the name of Krsna once.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 9.33
The relative transcendental value of the names "Visnu," "Rama," and "Krsna":
It is said in the scriptures that one thousand names of Visnu are equal to one name of Rama, and three names of Lord Rama are equal to one name of Krsna.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.6
