In Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51) it is said, kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet: "Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, or Lord Krsna's name, one is liberated and goes back home, back to Godhead." This Krsna consciousness must be achieved through the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One cannot be complete in Krsna consciousness unless he accepts Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates as the only means for success. It is because of these considerations that the Lord accepted sannyasa, for thus people would offer Him respect and very quickly come to the platform of Krsna consciousness. Since Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself, inaugurated the Krsna consciousness movement, without His mercy one cannot be elevated to the transcendental platform of Krsna consciousness.