Mrityunjaya Mantra
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra in Hindi
महा मृ ु य मं िह ी म
OM Triyambakam Yajāmahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mrrityormokshiya Māmrritāt.
Summary of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
I unite myself with the Supreme Reality which alone attracts (absorbs) me and makes me progressive with virility. It is the Supreme Reality that matures my personality, a total personality to detach myself from all material forces. Supreme Reality makes me fearless, even the fear of death does not affect me, and I am Immortal.
Tryambakam refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva. 'Trya' means 'Three' and 'Ambakam' means eyes. These three eyes or sources of enlightenment are the Trimurti or three
primary deities, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the three 'Amba' (also meaning Mother or Shakti' are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Gouri. Thus in this word, we are referring to God as Omniscient
(Brahma), Omnipresent (Vishnu) and Omnipotent (Shiva). Sugandhim refers to His fragrance (of knowledge, presence and strength) as being the best and always spreading around. Fragrance refers to the
joy and sense of absorption that we get on knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous deeds.
Legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared before his devotee Markandeya (who was destined to die at the age of sixteen) and stopped his aging process a few days before he was supposed to turn sixteen. Thus, death would never be able to claim him! Hence, this mantra is also referred to as the Markandeya mantra in classical hindu studies. The mantra should ideally be repeated 108 times, twice daily, at dawn and at dusk. It is particularly useful for meditation and yoga practice.
Spiritual Significance of the Shiva Mahamantra
Lord Shiva is referred to as Tryambakam, the three-eyed one, because his third-eye has been "opened" by the powers of penance and meditation. The third eye is said to be located in the space between the eyebrows, and is "opened" when one experiences spiritual awakening. So, when we pray to Lord Shiva, we are in essence asking for his blessings and assistance in leading us to the mountain of meditation and opening our third eye of spiritual knowledge. The mantra is thus a prayer to Lord Shiva for help in overcoming "death". The natural consequence of this awakening is that we will be led towards spiritual liberation or moksha, and attain freedom from the cycles of death and rebirth. The goal of chanting this mantra is to spiritually "ripen" so that we can free ourselves. Lord Shiva can free us from our bondage to all the material things that bind us!
Here is a link to a lovely chanted version:
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