Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

The Rudra Mantra or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra , "Great Death-conquering Mantra" and also known as the Tryambakam Mantra, is a verse of the Rigveda (RV 7.59.12). The sukta is addressed to Tryambaka, "the three-eyed one", an epithet of Rudra. It is identified with Shiva. The verse also recurs in the Yajurveda (TS 1.8.6.i; VS 3.60). According to Shiva Purana when you have fear of any unknown event this chant helps you to overcome the fear.

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra reads:

In Devanagari script:

ॐ त्र्यं॑बकं यजामहे सु॒गन्धिं॑ पुष्टि॒वर्ध॑नम् ।

उ॒र्वा॒रु॒कमि॑व॒ बन्ध॑नान् मृ॒त्योर् मु॑क्षीय॒ माऽमृता॑त् ।

Om tryambakam yajāmahe sugandhim puṣṭivardhanam

urvārukamiva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt

We offer our worship to the fragrant three-eyed Lord Shiva who confers ever increasing prosperity. Please liberate us from the hands of death as effortlessly as an Urvaruka fruit (watermelon) is separated from the vine; please do not let us turn away from liberation.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Meaning

Word-by-word meaning of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

·      ॐ aum = is a sacred/mystical syllable in Hinduism

·      त्र्यम्बकं tryambakam = to three-eyed one (accusative case),

त्रि + अम्बकम् = tri + ambakam = three + eye

·        यजामहे yajāmahe = in yagya in worship, (locative case)

·        सुगन्धिम् sugandhim = to fragrance, (accusative case),

·        पुष्टि puṣṭi = nourishment, sustenance

·        वर्धनम् vardhanam = increasing, flourishing

·        पुष्टि-वर्धनम् = puṣṭi+vardhanam = nourishment-increasing ( compound word)

·        उर्वारुकमिव urvārukam-iva = cucumber as (in the accusative case); Note: uru: big, large; ārukam (in the accusative case): peach; iva: as

·        बन्धनान् bandhanān = "from bondage {i.e. from the stem of cucumber} (of the gourd); (the ending is actually long a, then -t, which changes to n/anusvara because of sandhi) Note: bandhanāt means from bondage Thus, read with urvārukam iva, it means 'as cucumber from bondage ( of vine) (to a vine)'

·        मृत्योर्मुक्षीय mṛtyormukṣīya = liberate from death

·        मृत्योः + मुक्षीय = mṛtyoḥ + mukṣīya= from death + free (Vedic usage)

·        माऽमृतात् अमृतात् = amṛtāt = by amrita, by immortality

Being a Secret Mantra, Rishi Markandeya was the only one on the earth who knew this mantra. The Moon was once in trouble, when cursed by King Daksha. Rishi Markandeya gave the Mahamritryunjaya Mantra to Sati, Daksha's daughter, for the Moon. According to another version this is the Bija mantra as revealed to Rishi Kahola that was given by Lord Shiva to sage Sukracharya, who taught it to Rishi Dadhichi, who gave it to King Kshuva, through whom it reached the Shiva Purana.

This mantra is also called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Lord 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 Sukracharya after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. Its Devata is Rudra or Lord Shiva in his fiercest and most destructive roopa or aspect. In the Vedas it finds its place in three texts - a) the Rig veda VII.59.12, b) the Yajur Veda III.60, and c) the Atharva Veda XIV.1.17.

It is said to be beneficial for mental, emotional and physical health and to be a moksha mantra which bestows longevity and immortality.

According to some puranas, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has been used by many Rishis as well as Sati during the time when Chandra suffered from the curse of Prajapati Daksha. By reciting this mantra, the effect of the curse of Daksha, which could make him die, slowed, and Shiva then took Chandra and placed it upon his head.

This mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva for warding off untimely death. It is also chanted while smearing Vibhuti over various parts of the Body and utilised in Japa or Homa (havan) to get desired results. While its energy protects and guides the initiates a mantra re-links consciousness to its deeper and more abiding nature and repetition of the mantra constitutes Japa, the practice of which develops concentration that leads to a transformation of awareness. Whereas the Gayatri Mantra is meant for purification and spiritual guidance, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is meant for healing rejuvenation and nurturance.

Why we should chant the Hanuman Mantra

Hanuman is not only the legendary god of strength and valour, he is also the one most remembered in times of trouble. People start chanting his name, mantra or chalisa the moment they are scared or are looking for strength in times of trouble. Let’s check out the benefits of chanting the Hanuman Mantra.

Source of strength

Hanuman is the source of strength and power. Therefore, chanting his mantra grants one much strength to overcome trouble of any type, especially related to health or a fight for justice.

Makes you resilient

Chanting Hanuman Mantra makes you resilient and gives you the power to bounce back from your present state and get a dose of energy!

A health mantra

It has also turned out to be useful in overcoming adverse health conditions. There have been cases where people who have been on the deathbed or in a state of coma have come back to life because of the sincere and dedicated chanting by their loved ones.

Wards off spirits

The mantra is also used to ward off any bad spirits or ghosts that cast a bad influence on somebody’s life.

Wrestlers swear by it

The wrestling community is taught the Hanuman Mantra and Chalisa so that even when they are facing defeat, they find the stamina and power to emerge victorious.

Mental strength

Hanuman does not just represent physical strength; he also stands for mental strength. He empowers you to take the best decisions in terms of education and routine life, and ensures tons of success if practiced from heart with sincerity.

Removes negativity

People these days often suffer from mental problems, failed marriages, debt problems, etc. The Mantra gives you the push to overcome them by cleansing your aura and removing all the negativity.

Removes fears and phobias

Chanting the mantra ushers in a lot of courage and confidence in people who always have been fearful of things and unpredictable situations in their lives.

Protective shield

It acts as a protective shield and prevent your enemies from making any wrong moves of your enemies towards you. Therefore, once you start chanting the mantra, you can be sure of one thing that you are protected and nothing bad can happen to you.

Helps to stay focussed

Hanuman Mantra makes you stay focussed on whatever job or study you are engaged in. Therefore, you are most likely to get fruitful results when you chant it with full devotion.

Purifies your body

Chanting the mantra helps to purify your body and makes it pious and free from any bad influences. 

Protects from evil eye 

It also protects you from the evil eye, and therefore, no matter how much success you may attain, you would never face a retreat owing to somebody’s evil eye being cast on you.

Gayatri Mantra

OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGODEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT

Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu and Ma.

Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi

Uu = uukar from which Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and

Ma = makaar from which Ishwar, Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur.

Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only being explained.

VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu 'Rajrideeptau' i.e., manifest. Therefore Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti. Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form. Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.

AGNI = From dhatu, "ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO" the word "AGNI is made. Its meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. "SARVAJAYEN" i.e. Omniscient. That is, knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.

VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, "VISHPRAVESHANE". Its meaning is He in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.

HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., " JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM". Its meaning is, who is the base of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas. 

VAYU = from dhatu, "VA GATIGANDHANYOHO", vayu word is made. Its meaning is He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name of God is Vayu. 

TEJ = from dhatu, "TIJA NISHANE", the word Tej is made meaning He who is self made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken, unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun, moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.

ISHWAR = from dhatu, "ISH ASHWERIYE", the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.

ADITYA = from dhatu, "DO AVAKHANDANE", Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God's name is Aditya.

PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, "JYEN AVABODHANE", Prajayen word is made meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So God's name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.

BHUHU = "BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA" i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe, is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God. 

BHUVAHA= "BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA" i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow, and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the name of God is Bhuvaha.

SWAHA = i.e., "SWAHA ITI VYANAHE" who is omnipresent in the universe and is holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.

SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu. 

DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev. 

VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme and acceptable for worship. 

BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable English word of Sanskrit word, "SHUDH SWARUPAM" the word entity has been used.) 

TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity. 

DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because 

YAHA = the God

NAHA = our,

DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds) 

PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom) 

MEANING 
"We meditate the God who is the base of lives' of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration". 

Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras.

So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things:

Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.

Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation. 

Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodyat. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.