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Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Composed by: The seer Vasishtha (Rigveda 7.59)

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  1. Mantra

    ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥

    Om tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam | Urvaarukamiva bandhanaanmrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||

    Word by word: tryambakam, the three-eyed one (Shiva); yajamahe, we worship; sugandhim, the fragrant; pushtivardhanam, who increases nourishment and strength; urvarukam iva, like a cucumber (urvaruka); bandhanat, from its bond (to the vine); mrityoh, from death; mukshiya, may I be freed; ma amritat, not from immortality. Meaning: We worship the fragrant three-eyed one, who increases our strength. As a cucumber is freed from its bond to the vine, may I be freed from death, but not from immortality.

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Meaning, sources and more prayers: sanatanbodh.in/en/prayers/mahamrityunjaya-mantra/

In short

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a verse of the seventh book of the Rigveda (7.59.12). Its seer is Vasishtha, and it worships Tryambaka, the three-eyed Rudra (Shiva). The same verse is found in the Vajasaneyi Samhita of the Shukla Yajurveda (3.60). By tradition it is chanted in the worship of Shiva, on Mondays and in Sawan, and in times of illness or trouble as a prayer for health and long life.

On the text: in the Rigveda the verse begins with “tryambakam”; the opening ‘Om’ is added by tradition. The first eleven verses of this hymn (7.59) are addressed to the Maruts, and this twelfth verse to Rudra. The Vajasaneyi Samhita (3.60) prints ‘ma’mritat’ with an avagraha; the words are the same. There it is followed by another verse in which ‘pushtivardhanam’ is replaced by ‘pativedanam’ (who grants a husband); that is a separate mantra. The name ‘Mahamrityunjaya’ comes from tradition, not from the Veda.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra from?

From the Rigveda, 7.59.12. Its seer is Vasishtha and its deity Rudra (Tryambaka). It also appears in the Vajasaneyi Samhita of the Shukla Yajurveda (3.60).

What does “mamritat” mean?

It is ‘ma amritat’, ‘not from immortality’. The prayer is to be freed from the bond of death, but not from immortality.

What does Tryambaka mean?

By tradition it means ‘the three-eyed one’, that is, Shiva. In the Veda Tryambaka is a name of Rudra.

When is it chanted?

By tradition in the worship of Shiva, on Mondays and in Sawan, and in times of illness or trouble for someone’s health. Many people chant it 108 times on a rudraksha mala; the number is a custom. For a special ritual it is best to ask your own purohit.

Sources

  1. Rigveda 7.59.12 (Shakala Samhita): Sanskrit Wikisource, the Vedic Heritage Portal and the GRETIL padapatha
  2. Shukla Yajurveda, Vajasaneyi Madhyandina Samhita 3.60 (Sanskrit Wikisource)

Something wrong? Report a mistake

Text checked against: sa.wikisource.org, vedicheritage.gov.in, gretil.sub.uni-goettingen.de, sa.wikisource.org