Hari Om
Om Namassivaya!
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra:
Om Trayambakam
Yajamahe
Sugandhim
Pushtivardhanam
Urva Rukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mokshiye Maamritat!
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (maha-mrityun-jaya) is one of the most potent Sanskrit mantras of Vedic age. Mahamrityunjaya is a call for enlightenment and a practice for purifying the karmas of the soul at a deeper level. It is also said to be quite beneficial for physical, mental, emotional, psychic and intellectual health.
This Vedic mantra dedicated to Shivji as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda (Mandala VII, Hymn 59), where it is attributed to the sage Vasishtha of Ramayana. The hymn in which it is found begins with 11 stanzas honoring the forces of nature (the maruts) said to be the children of Rudra/Shiva. The maruts control the energies of storms, winds, cyclones, and clouds (and thus the nurturing light of the sky). They possess destructive energy, but they are also the protectors of the household. When they act in harmony, they create an environment of peace, bliss and prosperity.
Vasishtha pays homage to these natural forces and then gives out the final stanza, a mantra revered all through the scriptures. It is referred to as the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death (Fear of death) -Conquering mantra. It is a mantra that has many names and forms. It is called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Shiva; the Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Shiva’s three eyes; and it is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the “life-restoring” practice given to the primordial sage Shukrachaya after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Vedas. Along with the Gayatri mantra it holds the highest place among the many mantras used for contemplation, healing, japa and meditation.
The mantra is usually recited when taking medicines, as it prepares the body and mind to make the best use of them. When ash (bhasma) is applied to the body (as either a medicinal or a religious / spiritual act) this mantra is recited by the people of Sanatana Dharma. And so, whenever matters of health, vitality, nurturance, or freedom from the fear associated with death arise, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra naturally comes as a remedy and comfort.
It is firmly believed that those in the healing professions will benefit from chanting of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra regularly. Through it, they will draw power from an infinite energy source, and thus prevent burnout while opening a channel of healing from which life can be nourished.
Meaning
We meditate on the three-eyed absolute reality (Shivji), that permeates and nourishes everyone like the fragrance. May we get liberated from death for the sake of immortality, like how the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.
Shiva is the absolute truth and He is Parameshwara (The ultimate Transcendental Lord). The followers of Shiva believe He is Swayambho (Self Created). It is believed that Lord Shiva can be easily pleased and initiated for granting boons by his devotees. Shivji can grant all our material, health related and spiritual wishes and relieve us (His devotees) from sufferings when we pray with sincerity and supreme devotion.
How to worship Shiva?
In Satyug, idol worship was helpful but in Kalyug, just offering prayers in front of an idol won’t be sufficient. The Bhavishya Puranas has mentioned about the importance and benefits of chanting mantras for happiness and peace of mind. Similarly, chanting the mantra of Shivji – Mahamrityunjaya mantra daily will bestow the devotee with good health, wealth, prosperity, protection, peace and longevity. It generates positive vibrations and protects against natural and unnatural calamities.
For people who have doshas in their horoscope due to gochara, dasha, antardasha, or any other kind of bad yogas, this mantra will help substantially to get rid of them.
For people suffering from any diseases, chronic illness or ailments, this mantra will certainly help. It also helps in increasing longevity and if a devotee recites this mantra with utmost sincerity and faith, it can prevent their untimely death or postpone death to a future date.
Chanting of this mantra helps in situations of familial discord, litigation, property disputes, during unexpected calamities or adverse developments and also protects the devotees in the event of mass destruction due to a famine or epidemic.
While you are undergoing some tensions due to partnership or other issues, financial troubles or facing losses in business, chanting of this mantra will benefit you through healing.
This mantra has abundant healing powers; it is believed that repeated chanting of this mantra generates divine vibrations that heal and help remove the fear associated with thoughts of death, thereby liberating the devotee from the death and rebirth cycle. Hence, it is also called the moksha mantra.
Meaning of this mantra
Aum: It is a sacred syllable (sound) and a spiritual symbol in Indian religions.
Trayambakam: It means the three-eyed one
Yajamahe: We worship, honour, adore, revere
Sugandhim: Sweet smelling or fragrant
Pushti: Prosperous, thriving, fullness of life
Vardhanam: One, who strengthens, nourishes and causes to increase (in health, wealth, and well-being),
Urvarukamiva: Like the melon or cucumber
Bandhanan: From captivity i.e. from the stem of the cucumber (of the gourd)
Bandhanan: Stands for bound down. If read with urvarukamiva, it means ‘I am bound down just like a cucumber to a vine’.
Mrityor mokshiye: Liberate from death
Maamritat: Ma+amritat = Not+immortality, nectar
How to chant (or do Japa of) Mahamrityunjaya mantra
According to Shastras, the best time to chant this Mantra is early morning during Brahma muhurtha (4.30-5.45 am), but if it is practically difficult to chant during this time then after taking a bath before 9 am, you may recite this mantra. For best results, Minimum of 1 mala (108 times) and up to times 10 malas recommended for daily Japa of this Mantra. Facing East or North while doing Japa is always recommended for auspicious results.
Use of panchamuka Rudraksha mala while chanting the mantra is considered most preferred and auspicious. Rudraksh mala can also help the devotee to keep a tab on the number of times he/she has recited the mantra. One should try to consistently maintain this number of chanting regularly on a daily basis for optimum results.
While doing Japa, we need to concentrate fully on the sound vibrations of the mantra and meditate on Shivji and the mantra’s meaning. We should not allow our mind to wander or think about external world or other objects distracting us.
It is ideal if there is Shivji’s idol, Shivling, Lord Shiva’s photo or Mahamrityunjaya yantra next to us while we are doing the Japa of this mantra.
Reciting this mantra daily 28 times (minimum) is recommended. However one must chant 108 times or up to 10 malas for better results and spiritual growth. By being a vegetarian and teetotaller and chanting, one can see quicker and better results.
Mahamrutunjaya mantra for factories
This Mantra in Sanskrit or English (in the format given below) may be laminated and hung in 3, 11 or 21 important locations of factories facing the South direction. (The mantras must face the South to avoid accidents and mishaps and for good health and longevity of inmates)
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
GF’ Blessings.
