Answer:

Krishna’s Holy Name (nāma–rūpe—in the form of the holy name)

Evidence:

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.”

– Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila 17.22

Sanskrit:

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra

kali–kāle—in this Age of Kali; nāma–rūpe—in the form of the holy name; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; avatāra—incarnation; nāma—holy name; haite—from; haya—becomes; sarva—all; jagat—of the world; nistāra—deliverance.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/17/22

Comments:

• The maha-mantra is not mentioned in the verse, rather “nama-rupe”, the form of Krishna’s name. This could lead to the misleading conclusion that only the “maha-mantra” is the incarnation of Lord Krishna in the age of Kali. But the direct meaning of this verse is any name of Krishna is.

Keywords to memorize:

nama-rupe krsna-avatara