Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (महा मृत्युंजय मंत्र)

It also known as Tryambakam Mantra addressed to Lord Shiva to please him for logitivity of life. Its literal translation is the Great Death-Conquering Mantra. This mantra is basically recommended to those who have problems in their health and cruel graha in eight house of the Kundali. Thus, it is also popularly known as Mrita-Sanjivini Mantra. This is one of the most favorite mantras of Tryambakam "the three-eyed", identified with the Hindu deity Shiva. 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 mantra was originally given by Lord Shiva as a boon ( Mritasanjiviani Vidya) to Shukracharya after his penance. It was later known to brihaspati and devas who gave it to rishi vashistha for human welfare.

Mantra (मंत्र)

The mantra reads as:

tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt
 (Rishi: Vashistha, Mantra Devata: Rudra)

Listen mahamrityunjaya Matra mp3

Meaning: Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. Worshipping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk.

Explanation: The mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva who is addressed as Sankara and Trayambaka. Sankara is sana (blessings) and Kara (the Giver). Trayambaka is the three eyed one (where the third eye signifies the giver of knowledge, which destroys ignorance and releases us from the cycle of death and rebirth)

Significance: Devotees strongly believe that proper recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya rejuvenates, bestows health, wealth, long life, peace, prosperity and contentment. It is said that chanting of Shiva Mantra generates divine vibrations that ward off all the negative and evil forces and creates a powerful protective shield. Besides, it is said to protect the one who chants against accidents and misfortunes of every kind. Recitation of the mantra creates vibration that pulsates through every cell, every molecule of human body and tears away the veil of ignorance. Hindus believe that recitation of the mantra ignites a fire within that consumes all negativity and purifies entire system. It is also said to have a strong healing power and can cure diseases declared incurable even by the doctors. Many believe Maha Mrityunjay Mantra to be a mantra that can conquer death and connect human beings to their own inner divinity.

Story: "Niranjano Nirakara Eako Dewo Maheshwora, Mrityu mukhaat gatam pranam baladak raskhte" Nirajana Nirakar Maheshwor is the only Lord Shiva who can powerfully save the life from mouth of death. Markandaya, the son of Rishi Markanda, was having problem of premature death. Rishis suggested him to perform puja of Lord Tryambakam. Markandaya, with eternal respect, started Mahamrityunjaya sadhana in Lord Shiva's Temple. Yamraj, God of death, came to take his soul on time of his premature death but Yamraj could not touch him and returned without taking his soul. Karkandaya was blessed with victory over death and created Markandaya Purana.

Full Mantra:

Trayam-bakam yajaamahey sugandhim pushti vardhanam

Oorvaa-ruka-miva bandhanaan mrithyor mooksheeya maam-amrithaath
Aum rudhram pasupathim sthaanoom neelakanta umapaathim
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi
Kaala kantam kaala moorthim kaala-jngyam kaala naasanam
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Neela kantam viroopaaksham nirmalam vimala-prabham
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Vaama devam maha devam lokanaatham jagath gurum
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Deva-devam jagan naatham devasham vrishabathvajam
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Gangadharam maha devam sarvaa-barana booshitham
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Anaatha param-aanandam kaivalya pada-dhayinam
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Swarga-bavarka-dha-dharam srishti-sthith-yantha-kaarinam
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Oothpathis-tithi-samhaara kaathaara-gneyshwaram gurum
Namaami sirasa dhevam kim no mrithyu karish-yathi.
Maarkandeya-kritham stothram ya-padeth siva sanithou
Thasya mrithyu bhayam naasthi naagni-sowra-bhayam kwachith.
Sadavartham prakarth-thavyam sangate kashta naasanam
Soochir-bhoothva padeth stothram sarva sidhi pradhayagam.
Mrithyu-jeya mahadeva drahimaam saranaa-gatham
Janma mrithyu jaraa-rokai peeditham karma bhandhanai.
Thavakas-twath-gath-praanasth-vachith-dhoham sada mrita
Ithi vignaapya devesam triyambhaka-kyam manum jabeth.
Nama shivaya saambaya haraaya paramaathmane
Pranathak-lesa-naasaaya yoginaam pathaye namah.