Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Introduction Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

The great mantra dedicated to Shiva as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great 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 its is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the "life-restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Shukra after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Veda. Along with the Gayatri mantra it holds the highest place among the many mantras used for contemplation and meditation.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

OM. Tryambakam yajamahe

Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam

Urvarukamiva bandhanan

Mrityor mukshiya mamritat

ॐ त्रियम्बकं यजामहे,

सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनं

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्

मृत्योर्मोक्षिय मामृतात्.

OM. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva.
You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us,
restores our health, and causes us to thrive.
As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens,
and the gourd if freed from the vine, so free us
from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.

Word to Word Meaning of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

OM	Almighty God
Tryambakam	three-eyed
Yajamahe	We worship, adore, honor, revere
Sugandhim	sweet fragrance
Pushti	A well-nourished condition, thriving, prosperous, full, and complete
Vardhanam	One who nourishes, strengthens, causes to increase (in health, wealth, well-being); who gladdens, exhilarates, and restores health; a good gardener
Urvarukam	disease, attachment, obstacles in life, and resulting depression
Iva	Like, just as
Bandhanan	Stem (of the gourd); but more generally, unhealthy attachment
Mrityor	From death
Mukshiya	Free us, liberate us
Ma	not
Amritat	Immortality, emancipation