Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Jaap Puja In Trimbakeshwar

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of the most revered and powerful chants dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is presented here in both Hindi and Sanskrit:

Sanskrit: “ऊँ त्र्यंबकम् यजामहे सुगंधीम् पुष्टी वर्धनम्। उर्व्वावरूक मिवबंधनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥”

Meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra:

• ॐ (Om): Represents Lord Shiva, the sacred sound of Omkar.
• त्र्यम्बकं (Tryambakam): The one with three eyes, symbolizing omniscience.
• यजामहे (Yajamahe): We worship and invoke your presence in our lives.
• सुगंधिम्ब (Sugandhim): May you bless us with the fragrance of devotion.
• पुष्टिवर्धनम् (Pushtivardhanam): May you enhance our happiness, health, and prosperity.
• उर्वारुकमिव (Urvarukamiv): Just as a ripe fruit detaches from the vine,
• बन्धनान् (Bandhanan): Free us from the bonds of worldly attachments.
• मृत्योर्मुक्षीय (Mrityormukshiya): Liberate us from the clutches of death,
• माऽमृतात् (Mamritat): And bestow upon us the nectar of immortality.

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of Lord Shiva’s most treasured mantras, known for its power to overcome death. It appears in Sukta 59 of the seventh Mandala of the Rigveda, which is the oldest of the sacred Hindu scriptures. This powerful mantra is also referred to as the Rudra Mantra.

The mantra translates to: “We worship the fragrant, three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes all beings. For the sake of immortality, may He save us from death, just as a cucumber is freed from its vine.

The History of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a powerful and sacred chant given to Rishi Markandeya by Lord Shiva. The story behind the mantra is deeply moving and profound.

In ancient times, Rishi Bhrigu and his wife, Marudmati, were childless and longed for a son. After years of sincere devotion and prayer to Lord Shiva, the deity appeared before them, offering a choice: they could have a son with great intelligence but a short life, or a son with lesser intelligence but a long life. After much contemplation, Rishi Bhrigu chose the former, and Lord Shiva blessed them with a son, Markandeya, who would live only for 12 years.

As Markandeya grew, his parents kept the truth about his shortened lifespan hidden from him. However, as his 12th birthday approached, his parents’ sorrow became evident, and Markandeya insisted on knowing the reason. They then revealed the entire story to him.

Determined to alter his fate, Markandeya chose to perform intense penance before a Shiva Lingam, completely surrendering himself to Lord Shiva. On his 12th birthday, Yama, the God of Death, arrived to claim Markandeya’s soul. Despite his parents’ desperate pleas, Yama proceeded with his task.

But Markandeya, unwavering in his devotion, clasped the Shiva Lingam tightly. As Yama tried to take his soul, the boy’s devotion and the power of the Shiva Lingam created a divine protection. Moved by Markandeya’s faith, Lord Shiva appeared and, in his wrath, punished Yama for attempting to take the life of his devoted follower.

Impressed by Markandeya’s unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva granted him the sacred Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, blessing him with an extended, prosperous life. This mantra, imbued with divine power, has since been revered as a means to conquer death and offer protection from all harm.

The Significance of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, alongside the Gayatri Mantra, is one of the most revered and powerful mantras in Hinduism. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to help individuals overcome the fear of death and illness. Originating from the Rig Veda and imparted to humanity by Rishi Markandeya, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra offers immense benefits for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is also considered a moksha mantra, capable of granting liberation from the cycle of life and death and preventing untimely demise.

Composed of 32 words, and with the addition of ‘Om,’ it totals 33 words, which is why the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is also known as the Trayashtrishashari Mantra, symbolizing its divine and potent nature

Maha Mrityunjaya Puja and Jaap

Method of Chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Maha Mrityunjaya Puja is a revered ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva, regarded as one of the most powerful practices for addressing health issues and invoking blessings for happiness, good health, prosperity, and protection against all forms of adversity. This puja is believed to shield individuals from untimely death. While it can be performed at home, the ritual requires specific items such as Ganga Jal, cow milk, ghee, honey, sugar, white cloth, sacred thread (janeu), betel nuts, tulsi and bel leaves, datura, bhang, sandalwood paste, rice, lamps, incense, flowers, fruits, sweets, roli, and sacred red and white thread, among others.

Chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra during the puja is believed to help alleviate health problems and promote longevity. It is traditionally recited 108 times, often with the aid of a Rudraksha Rosary, which contains 108 beads to keep track of the repetitions.

The number 108 holds profound significance in Hinduism. The digits “1”, “0”, and “8” represent “oneness,” “nothingness,” and “infinity,” symbolizing the ultimate reality of the universe—one, void, and infinite at the same time.

The number 108 is not only symbolic but also cosmically relevant. The distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the Sun’s diameter, and the distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 108 times the Moon’s diameter. In addition, there are 108 Upanishads in Hinduism.

Due to its cosmic symbolism, chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times is believed to immerse oneself in the divine energy of Lord Shiva, connecting with the most potent force in the universe.

Rules for Chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Jaap

When reciting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to ensure that the practice is effective and spiritually beneficial:

1. Cleanliness of Body and Mind: Before chanting, make sure your body and mind are clean. Purity is essential for receiving the full benefits of the mantra.
2. Focus on Lord Shiva: While chanting, have a Shivalinga, an idol, or a picture of Lord Shankar, or a Mahamrityunjaya Yantra in front of you as a symbol of focus and devotion.
3. Face East: When chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or performing any other worship, always face east. This direction is considered auspicious and conducive to spiritual practices.
4. Use a Kusha Mat: The mantra should be recited while sitting on a mat made of Kusha grass. This traditional seat is believed to enhance the spiritual energy during chanting.
5. Clear Pronunciation: For the mantra to be effective, it is crucial to pronounce each word clearly. Incorrect pronunciation can reduce the benefits of the chant.
6. Moderate Speed: The mantra should not be chanted too slowly or too quickly. Move your lips as you chant, but do so quietly, without producing an audible sound.
7. Lifestyle Restrictions: After chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, it is advised to abstain from consuming meat, alcohol, and other intoxicants to maintain spiritual purity.
8. Lighting Incense and Lamps: The atmosphere during chanting should be made sacred by lighting incense and lamps. This creates a divine ambiance and enhances the spiritual experience.
9. Use of Rudraksha Mala: Only a Rudraksha mala (rosary) should be used for counting the recitations of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. The mala enhances the spiritual power of the chant.
10. Holding the Mala Properly: The Rudraksha mala should be held in the “cow face” position (Gau Mukhi) while chanting. This specific hand position is believed to increase the efficacy of the mantra.

The Origin of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has a deep and ancient origin, closely tied to revered sages and the divine intervention of Lord Shiva.

According to some accounts, the mantra was composed by Sage Markandeya. The legend goes that when King Daksha cursed Chandra (the Moon), the Moon found himself in grave danger. To save him, Sage Markandeya provided the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to Sati, the daughter of Daksha.

Another version of the origin story suggests that Lord Shiva revealed the Bija mantra (the seed of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra) to Rishi Kahola. Rishi Kahola then taught it to Rishi Dadhichi, who passed it on to King Kshuva. Through King Kshuva, the mantra eventually found its way into the Shiva Purana.

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is also known by several other names. It is called the Rudra Mantra, highlighting Shiva’s wrathful and fierce aspect. It is also referred to as the Tryambaka Mantra, signifying Shiva’s three eyes. Additionally, it is known as the Mrita-Sanjivini Mantra, associated with the “life-restoring” practice granted to the primordial sage Sukracharya after his intense austerity.

This powerful mantra is dedicated to Rudra, the fierce and destructive form of Shiva. It holds a prominent place in the Vedic texts, appearing three times in the Vedas: in the Rigveda (VII.59.12), Yajurveda (III.60), and Atharvaveda (XIV.1.17).

How to Perform the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap Ritual

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, revered for its healing powers and protection against untimely death, is performed following the Purashcharan method, which includes five key components:

1. Jaap (Chanting): Reciting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 1.25 lakh times is believed to awaken its powerful benefits. This ritual should be done with devotion and precision, as the mantra’s potency lies in correct pronunciation and repetition.
2. Havan (Fire Ritual): After completing the required number of chants, a Havan is performed using the mantra’s concluding part. The words “Om” and “Namah” are excluded, and “Swaha” is added to every tenth part of the completed chants, typically totaling 12,500.
3. Tarpan (Libation): Following the Havan, Tarpan is conducted by offering libations, usually water mixed with other sacred substances, while repeating the mantra 1,250 times.
4. Marjan (Sprinkling): In this step, the mantra is recited 125 times, and the sacred water is sprinkled on oneself, symbolizing purification and protection.
5. Brahmin Food Offering: The ritual concludes with feeding 13 Brahmins as a form of charity and thanksgiving.

Mahamrityunjaya Jaap Procedure

• Preparation: Use a Japamala (rosary) to repeat the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times. Offer flowers and perform abhisheka (ritual bathing) of the Shiva Ling with milk, while reciting the mantra.
• Sankalp: Invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings by pouring water into a pot and making a resolve (sankalp) for the ritual.
• Offering: Present items like bel leaves, fruits, incense sticks, and light a lamp before the Shiva Ling. Perform the Havan as the final part of the ritual.

Maha Mrityunjaya Homam

This special fire ritual, as per the Rigveda, is designed to alleviate severe life challenges and ward off the threat of untimely death. When performed correctly, it instills confidence and revitalizes one’s life.

Benefits of Maha Mrityunjaya Puja on Mahashivratri

• Long Life & Protection: The puja is highly effective for ensuring a long, stable life and guarding against negative energies.
• Relief from Doshas: Those suffering from Pitru Dosh or Kaal Sarp Dosh can gain relief through this puja.
• Holistic Well-Being: The ritual brings happiness, prosperity, and shields against sudden misfortune.

Benefits of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

• Protects Loved Ones: Shields family members from physical, emotional, and mental harm.
• Enhances Longevity: Promotes a longer, healthier life.
• Promotes Well-Being: Helps overcome illness, ensuring a sound sleep and a life free from fear.
• Creates a Protective Aura: Builds a shield against sudden death and health issues.

Maha Mrityunjaya Puja Cost

The cost of the Maha Mrityunjaya Puja at Trimbakeshwar Temple varies based on the Havan materials and offerings. The final Dakshina (offering) is determined by the devotee’s discretion.

Best Time and Frequency for Chanting the Mantra

• Optimal Time: The early morning hours are ideal for chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. It is traditionally not chanted after noon.
• Frequency: To fulfill wishes, the mantra should be chanted 1.25 lakh times, typically over 125 days by reciting it 1,000 times daily. For immediate protection and benefits, chant the mantra at least 108 times.

Precautions During Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Jaap

Dietary Restrictions: Abstain from consuming meat and alcohol during the ritual period to maintain purity.