Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (महामृत्युंजयमंत्र, महामृत्युञ्जयमन्त्र), also known as the Rudra Mantra or Tryambakam Mantra, is a verse (ṛc) of the Rigveda (RV 7.59.12). The ṛc is addressed to Tryambaka, “The Three-eyed One”, an epithet of Rudra who is identified with Shiva in Shaivism. The verse also recurs in the Yajurveda (TS 1.8.6; VS 3.60 ).

The mantra

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• “We sacrifice to Tryambaka the fragrant, increaser of prosperity. Like a cucumber from its stem, might I be freed from death, not from deathlessness.” The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra reads:

Translation by Jamison and Brereton:

It is said that you should recite this powerful ancient sanskrit mantra 108 times everyday, for at least 40 days to see its impact. For a noticeable level of mantra siddhi (power of the mantra), you need to repeat the mantra 125,000 times (purascharna), the equivalent of 1,250 rounds of a mala.

Origin

The mantra first appears in RV 7.59.12, which is a composite hymn attributed to Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi. The last four verses (in which the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is found) are late additions to the hymn, and they make references to the Sākamedha, the last of the four-monthly rituals. The Sākamedha ends with an oblation to Rudra Tryambaka, which is why the last verse of the four is addressed to Tryambaka.

Significance

Hindus believe the mantra is beneficial for mental, emotional, and physical health and consider it a moksha mantra which bestows longevity and immortality.

It is chanted while smearing vibhuti over various parts of the body and utilised in japa (mantra repetition) or homa) (religious offering ceremony).

See also

• Shri Rudram Chamakam
• Om Namah Shivaya
• Shanti Mantras
• Shiva
• Om
• Vibhuti