the power of the mantra really lies in the consciousness of the person using it.

the shastras often glorify mantras in a poetic way, but such statements have many layers of meaning and one of them is to inspire the sadhaka to concentrate on the mantra.

the kama-gayatri verse MUST be received from an authorized guru. this mantra must not be TAKEN. it can only be RECEIVED by qualified sadhakas. if used in an unauthorized way, this mantra has the potential to ruin the user. that is the warning from the scriptures.

however, there is no such risk with Maha-mantra.