ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् |
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ||
The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is one of the most powerful and ancient healing mantras in the yoga tradition. It is a long and complicated phrase that requires effort to understand the many layers of meaning and to unveil its transformative powers. This Sanskrit verse to Shiva, the ultimate protector and harbinger of victory, is believed to have the power to conquer death and grant inner peace, strength, and prosperity to its chanters. The sages have hailed the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra as nothing less than the heart of the Vedas - ancient scriptures brimming with wisdom and spiritual insight. Alongside the revered Gayatri mantra, it occupies a place of utmost importance among countless mantras used for deep contemplation, self-realization, and meditation.
What is the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra?
The Maha Mrityunjaya is a powerful and ancient Sanskrit mantra that is chanted for protection, healing, and to overcome the fear of death. The word “Maha” means great, “Mrityu” means death, and “Jaya” means victory or triumph. Therefore, the Maha Mrityunjaya is known as the “Great Death-conquering mantra”. It is sometimes written as one word or without an ending “a” like “mahamrityunjay”.
This chant invokes the power and qualities of Shiva, who is known as the lord of destruction and transformation. Shiva is associated with the third eye, which represents the power of spiritual knowledge and wisdom beyond the physical realm. He represents the cycle of life and death, and invokes the power to transform negativity into new growth and opportunities. He is also known as the great Yogi and is often depicted seated in meditation or in a state of cosmic dance.
The mahamrityunjay mantra is also known as the “Tryambakam mantra” which alluding to Shiva’s three discerning eyes or “Rudra mantra,” which signifies the fierce and formidable nature of Shiva. This mystical chant is sometimes called the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra, in reference to its role in reviving life itself after performing severe penance for Shiva.
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
The meaning of the Maha Mrityunjaya
A general translation of this Sanskrit chant is:
We meditate on the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and nourishing to all.
How a ripe fruit falls effortlessly off from a plant’s stem, may it may liberate us from ignorance, untruth and death, for all of immortality.
A word-for-word translation is:
Om - The primeval sound, absolute reality
Tryambakam - the three-eyed one (Shiva)
Yajamahe - we worship, we revel in meditation, adore
Sugandhim - the fragrant one, sweet smelling, the fragrance of devotion
Pushtivardhanam - the bestower of nourishment and sustenance
Urvarukamiva - like a ripened cucumber or melon
Bandhanan - the bondage or attachment to ignorance and untruth
Mrityor - the bondage of death or mortality
Mukshiya - may you liberate us
Maamritat - from immortality
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