Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra

11 repetitions of the Tryambakam Yajāmahe Mantra

Note on Pronunciation:

This recitation is from the Yajurveda (TS) 1.8.6

The nasal of "tryambakam" joins almost to the "ya" of "yajamahe" in an elision

and becomes an inner nasal, following rules of Vedic chanting that have been
taught to me. The "r" sounds have been slightly emphasised in this recitation
to make sure they are audible eg "vardhanam". The reason for this emphasis
is sometimes it is not possible to hear these sounds and the pronunciation
can become "vaaadhanam" which would be incorrect. Bhandanāt, becomes
"bandhanān" in Sandhi due to meeting the "ma" of the following word
"mrityor.."

The sounding of "svāhā" is to add power and shakti to the shiva energy; it is a
total surrender and offering into the fire all that which prevents one from
connecting with the true Self. The fire does not have to be literal, there is also
an inner fire. The literal fire helps though, to focus concentration and see
manifest the energy that 'eats up' that which you offer to it and transforms it.
Swaha is complete surrender of your ego to the higher Self , this is the purest
definition. Surrender of all you have been 'carrying' into the 'fire'. Total and
complete Surrender, and letting go which would mean you are FREE!

Svāhā connects you to the INNER fire of awareness and transforms

ignorance to knowledge.

Sound is beyond ritual.

Takes you to pure awareness.

tryambakam yajāmahe
sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardham
urvārukamiva bandhanān
mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt

1
 त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगिन्धं पुिष्टवधर्नम्
उवार्रुकिमव बन्धनान्
मृत्योमुर्क्षीय मामृतात्

Freedom

The freedom that comes from realising I know nothing and what I think I know
or what knowledge I feel I may have piled up can be blown to smithereens in
the light of reality, truth and wisdom this freedom is death to my sense of 'me'
and in this death is a newness, a release, a rebirth it is painful, but liberating
like watching a caterpillar leave its chrysalis to become a butterfly

Translation:

"We worship the supreme light, the Absolute Shiva, who has three eyes, who
is fragrant and nourishes all beings. This light is the expression and
communication of our life, and it is our physical, mental and spiritual radiation
and prosperity. Kindly release us from all calamities, bondage and suffering,
just as the cucumber is released from its stalk, without any injury. May our
minds be absorbed into Shiva, amritam (nectar), the ocean of tranquility" —
Interpretation by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati