Shiva – Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Shiva – Mahamrityunjaya 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.
OM. Tryambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat
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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
