Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Om Trayambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarikam-iva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya mamrtaat
Meaning of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
- Sugandhim means fragrance;
- Pushti vardhanam means nourishes well;
- Trayambakam refers to Lord Shiva who has three eyes;
- Yajamahe means we worship Him;
- Urvarikamiva means even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage;
- Mrityoha Bandhanath means from the clutches of death;
- Mukshiya means liberated;
- Ma Amritat means not to be released from immortality
We worship the three-eyed Lord (Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings well. May He liberate us from death even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the creeper). May we not be released from immortality.
The meaning of the word Mrityunjaya is – to win over death. The mantra is prescribed for gaining a victory over death.
Victory over death does not mean that by a Japa of this mantra, we can prevent the deterioration of the body leading ultimately to death when the Self (Jiva) departs from the body death results. No one can escape death.
However, the Jiva does not die. It is immortal. It is the body that falls off. Jiva and body are two separate identities. By the grace of Eshwara, a Jnani comes to realize this difference. Realizing this difference even when alive is a true victory over death. This mantra is a prayer to the Lord to grant him this knowledge.
People believe that the Japa of this mantra before stepping out of one’s house will protect them from danger. When it is recited referring to someone who just died, it is believed, the dead person will attain Sadgati. It is also believed that reciting this mantra referring to someone who had an accidental death, will provide Atma Shanti.
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