Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The spoken word is a powerful creative force, we don’t realize what we unleash into the world with the words and intentions with which we speak.  The origin of the universe was a certain vibratory reverberation which gave rise to everything, and modern physics confirms that fundamentals of existence are vibratory elements.  The importance of vibration giving rise to energy, which then can give rise to form, is the basis of why mantras are potent.

The Rudra Mantra, or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, also known as the Tryambakam Mantra, originates from the Rigveda, and recurs in the Yajurveda. It can be translated as the Great Death-conquering Mantra and is addressed to Shiva.  The mantra goes as follows:

oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam

urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā ‘mṛtāt

We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. 

Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.

This Rudra Mantra evokes Shiva to ward off untimely death and bestows long life.  More generally, it is beneficial for mental, emotional, and physical health, removing fears and healing holistically.  It is considered amongst the more powerful Shiva mantras.  As with many other mantras, the general practice is to utter it 108 times.  Perhaps this is because the numbers 1, 0, and 8 signify oneness, nothingness, and everything.  In daily practice, if 108 is unachievable then 3, 11, 21, or 36 times can be done.

The mantra is an elixir against the impending fear of death and can be recited when taking medicines.  It awakens the healing force.  Therefore, it is a good mantra for not just the sick or those wishing to ward off disease, but also by healthcare practitioners – especially in these times.

Another powerful mantra is the Gayatri Mantra which is meant for purification and spiritual guidance.  In contracts, the energies provoked by the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra are for healing rejuvenation and nurturance.

To read more about the Gayatri Mantra, go to: https://celebrateyoga.org/the-gayatri-mantra/