[1]Mṛtyuṅjaya literally means ‘Victory over Death’

and Mahā-mṛtyuṅjaya mantra is also called-

Mahā-mokṣa mantra as it gives the ultimate
enlightenment. Received by Maharṣi Vasiṣṭha and
enshrined as a hymn of the Ṛk Veda, it has been
sung for thousands of years by the pious who seek
penultimate victory over this mṛtyu-loka (earthly
plane where death is the only surety).
Mṛtyuṅjaya mantra
anuṣṭubh chandas – 32 syllables = 4 pada
(4×8=32)
¯यब+क यजजम z सग l¯ध पप?वधनमम।
उव ì¯पहमव ब¯धनजनम म¯ययम¬ीीय मजमतजतम॥
trayaṁbakkaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ
puṣṭivardhanam|
urvāruhamiva bandhanān mṛtyormūkṣīya māmṛtāt ||
There are many mantra for warding of evils like death and other sufering given in
the sacred literature of the Hindu’s. These mantra are of various types but the
Mṛtyuṅjaya mantra has been extolled in sacred literature as being the best. This
mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva and is taught in the Rig Veda (7 mandala 59
Chapter) as well as the Yajur Veda (3-60) showing that it is a śruti having been
received by Mahārishi Vasiṣṭha, the Kula Guru of Bhagavān Sri Rāma Chandra. This
Mahā-mṛtyuṅjaya mantra is from the Rig-Veda (7th Book or Mandala, 59 Chapter)
and needs initiation for attaining siddhi. Anybody can recite this mantra and
attain
good health, release from bondage and other problems. This is the greatest
panacea for all evils and can be recited at any time like any other Mahā-mantra.
Śukrācārya’s Penance & teaching
[3]Jyotish teaching
The Mahā-mṛtyuṅjaya mantra was taught by Lord
Shiva to Śukrācārya the preceptor of the demons
after he succeeded in the impossible test of
hanging upside down from a tree for twenty
years (Vimśottari daśā period) with smoke
blowing into him from a fire lit beneath. Even
Bṛhaspati was shocked at the prospect of such a
terrible penance and calmly settled to observe
Śukrācārya accept the challenge of Indra and
succeed.
Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra
Introduction
1
by Pt. Sanjay Rath
Since Śukrācārya (Venus in astrology) passed the penance he was glorified as the
Tapasvi
Raja (th eking of the spiritual discipline and penance). The
Tapasvi Yoga comes from this penance as Saturn (punishment, hard
(smoke blown into the nose and other forms of self-inflicted torture)
(desire and its renunciation) must come together to define the personal
the Tapasvi.
After the penance, Lord Shiva taught the Mahāmṛtyuṅjaya mantra to Śukrācārya,
who under very compelling circumstances had to teach this to the son of Brihaspati
and that is how the devas also got the mantra. This mantra was given (śruti) to
Vasiṣṭha Maharṣi for the welfare of this world. The mantra and explanation given
by Śukrācārya to Ṛṣi Dadhicha when the latter’s body was cut and thrown by Raja
Kṣuva, is recorded in the Shiva Purāṇa.
Mantra Pada
Śukrācārya said “O! Dadhicha, I pray to Lord Shiva and give you the upadeśa
(advise, wisdom, teaching) of the highest Mahā Mṛtyuṅjaya mantra.” The mantra is
in Anuṣṭubh Chandas and accordingly, is divided into four padas composed of
eight syllables each.
Śukrācārya said “The first pada is ¯यब+क यजजम z (trayaṁbakkaṁ yajāmahe) and
means – we worship or sing the praise of Lord Tryaṁbakka. Tryaṁbakka is the
name of Lord Shiva as the father of the three worlds – bhū, bhuva and svarga
lokas. He is the father and lord of the three mandala’s – Surya, Soma and Agni
mandala. He is Maheśvara, the lord of the three guṇa’s – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
He is Sadāśiva, the teacher of the three tattva – Ātmā tattva, Vidyā tattva and
Shiva
tattva. He is the father (cause and source) of the three energies (agni) –
āvāhaniya,
garhapatya and dakṣināgni. He is the father of all physical creation through the
three mūrti bhūta – Pṛthvi (solid), Jala (liquid) and Tejas or agni (energy). He is
the
lord of the three heavens created by the dominance of the three Guṇa – Rajas
(Brahma), Sattva (Vishnu) and Tamas (Shiva). Know Him to be the nirākāra
(formless) Sadāśiva as He is above this physical mode and is their Maheśvara. This
is the first foot of the mantra (composed of eight syllables).”
“The second pada of the mantra,” continued Śukrācārya, “is सग l¯ध पप?वधनमम
(sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam). Sugandhim refers to the fragrance of the flower that
spreads in all directions, and in a similar way Shiva is present in the entire
creation,
both animate and inanimate. In all the bhutas (modes of existence), in the three
Guṇa (nature of creation as being Satva, Rajas or Tamas), in the ten indriya (five
jñāna-indriya or senses and five karma-indriya or organs of action), in all the
devas (33 devas are the source of all illumination and enlightenment) and the
ganas (hosts of demi-gods), Shiva exists and pervades as the illumine ātmā (soul)
and is their essence. Pustivardhanam is now being explained. That inward
dwelling spirit (atman), the Puruṣa Shiva is the real sustainer of Prākṛti (and not
vice-versa as all people perceive). Starting with the Mahātattva (primordial state
of
Raja (the king of the spiritual discipline and penance). The definition of
toil), Ketu
and Venus
ability of
Tapasvi Yoga definition
2
matter/energy) to the individual parts of creation, the entire sustenance of the
physically created beings (both animate and inanimate) is done by the imperishable
Puruṣa. You, I, Brahma, Vishnu, the Munis and even Indra & devas are
maintained/sustained (by the ātmā and that is Him). Since the Puruṣa (ātmā –
Shiva) is the granter of sustenance to prākṛti (body/nature), he is ‘Pusti-
vardhana’.”
Having explained the first two pada of the mantra, Śukrācārya continued to explain
the remaining two pada. He said “the next two pada उव ì¯पहमव ब¯धनजनम म¯ययम¬ीीय
मजमतजतम॥ urvāruhamiva bandhanān mṛtyormūkṣīya māmṛtāt || (consisting of sixteen
syllables) is meaning – Prabhu! just as the ripe cucumber is severed from the
bondage of the creeper, in the same manner may we be delivered from death for
the sake of immortality (moksha). Rudra deva is like amṛta (nectar of immortality).
Those who worship Him with good karma, penance and repentance, meditation,
contemplation, prayer or praise, will surely renewed life and vigour. The strength
of truth force (in this mantra) is such that Lord Shiva shall definitely free the
worshipper from the bondage of death because Shiva alone is the giver of bondage
and moksha.
This is the Mṛtasaṅjīvani mantra and has the power to give back life and rescue
from death and great evils. You should adore Lord Shiva and recite this mantra.
Water sanctified with this mantra should be drunk all the time. [Authors note: It is
well known that the rudrākṣa bead is placed in a glass of water after being held in
the palm during the recitation of the mantra. this water is drunk during the day.]
Oblations in the sacrificial fire with this mantra is very purifying. “Now I shall
teach
the dhyāna for the mantra.” Saying so, Śukrācārya started reciting the śloka for
meditating on Lord Shiva.
Mṛtyuṅjaya Meditation
Dhyāna
The dhyāna taught by Śukrācārya (Siva
Purāṇa) is given below. There are other
dhyāna given in other texts and these
are being quoted at relevant places to
the extent necessary. This is to be
recited once before meditating on Śrī
Mṛtyuṅjaya Śiva.
ह¯तज¯भयजयग¯थक¯भयगलज]द¯य तयय पीशरर
l स÷¯त करययय"न दधत ¯वज¯+ सक¯भभ करभ।
अ¬O¯मगह¯तम¯बजगत मध¯थच¯¯O वतम
पीयषज¯तन भ" स l ग l रज ¯य¬ म¯य¯जयमम॥
[5]
Śrī Tryaṁbakkeśvara Mṛtyuṅjaya
3
hastāmbhojayugasthakumbhayugalādudghṛtya toyaṁ śiraḥ
siñcantaṁ karayoryugena dadhataṁ svāṅke sakumbhau karau|
akṣastraṅmṛgahastamambujagataṁ mūrdhasthacandrastravat
pīyūṣārdratanuṁ bhaje sagirijaṁ tryakṣaṁ mṛtyuṅjayam||
Translation: We praise (meditate) on the eight-armed, three-eyed Lord
Mṛtyuṅjaya. He sits cross legged on a lotus (padmāsana).