Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

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The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (Sanskrit: c , Mahmtyujaya Mantra "great death-
conquering mantra"), also called the Tryambakam Mantra, is a verse of the Rigveda (RV 7.59.12).It is
addressed to Tryambaka "the three-eyed one", an epithet of Rudra, later identified with Shiva.
[1][2]
The
verse also recurs in the Yajurveda (TS 1.8.6.i; VS 3.60)
[3]
Along with the Gayatri mantra it is one of the most widely known mantras of contemporary Hinduism.
The mantra reads
= = = = P P P P
= cH
(IAST transliteration):
aum tryambaka yajmahe sugandhi pui-vardhanam
urvrukam iva bandhann mtyor mukya mmtt
This great mantra dedicated to Rudra 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 it 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
Word to Word Meaning of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
aum = is a sacred/mystical syllable in Sanatan Dharma or Indian religions, i.e. Hinduism,
Jainism, and Buddhism
[4]
tryambakam = the three-eyed one (accusative case)
yajmahe = We worship, adore, honor, revere
sugandhim = sweet smelling, fragrant (accusative case)
pui = A well-nourished condition, thriving, prosperous, fullness of life
vardhanam = One who nourishes, strengthens, causes to increase (in health, wealth, well-being);
who gladdens, exhilarates, and restores health; a good gardener
urvrukam = cucumber <a kind of Indian vegetable> (in the accusative case)
iva = like, just as
bandhann = "from captivity" {i.e. from the stem of the cucumber} (of the gourd); (the ending is
actually long a then -d which changes to n/anusvara because of sandhi)
mtyor = From death
mukya= Free us, liberate us
m = not
amtt = [for] immortality, emancipation
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Simple Translation
We hail the fragrant Three-eyed One who nourishes [all] and increases the [sweet] fullness of life. As the
cucumber is liberated from captivity [from its stem], may we [also] be liberated (mukshiya) from death
(mrityor)not for the sake of immortality (maamritaat).
Actually OM is not spelt out in the Rig-Veda, but has to be added to the beginning of all Mantras as given
in an earlier Mantra of the Rig-Veda addressed to Ganapati.
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaarukimiva Bandhanaath Mrityor Mukshiiya
Maamritat
References
^ [1] (http://www.eaglespace.com/spirit/mahamantra.php) 1.
^ [2] (http://www.nandhi.com/mrityunjaya.htm) 2.
^ [3] (http://www.eaglespace.com/spirit/mahamantra.php) 3.
^ [4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om) 4.
- Video presentation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mahtra (http://www.hariom.tv/english/shiv-ji/shiva-
mahamrityunjaya)
- Aum/Om
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Categories: Vedas | Hindu mantras
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