The ''Mahamrityunjaya Mantra'' ( sa, महामृत्युंजयमंत्र, महामृत्युञ्जयमन्त्र}
) (translit=mahāmṛtyuṃjaya-mantra, mahāmṛtyuñjaya-mantra, translit-style=IAST, lit=Great death-defeating mantra), also known as the ''Rudra Mantra'' or ''Tryambakam Mantra'', is a verse (''ṛc'') of the ''
Rigveda'' (
RV 7.59.12). The ''ṛc'' is addressed to Tryambaka, "The Three-eyed One", an epithet of
Rudra who is identified with
Shiva in
Shaivism. The verse also recurs in the ''
Yajurveda'' (
TS 1.8.6; VS 3.60).
The mantra
The ''Mahamrityunjaya Mantra'' reads:
:
:
Translation by Jamison and Brereton:
: "We sacrifice to Tryambaka the fragrant, increaser of prosperity.
Like a cucumber from its stem, might I be freed from death, not from deathlessness."
Origin
The mantra first appears in RV 7.59.12, which is a composite hymn attributed to
Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi. The last four verses (in which the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is found) are late additions to the hymn, and they make references to the Sākamedha, the last of the four-monthly rituals. The Sākamedha ends with an oblation to Rudra Tryambaka, which is why the last verse of the four is addressed to Tryambaka.
Significance
Hindus believe the mantra is beneficial for mental, emotional, and physical health and consider it a ''
moksha'' mantra which bestows longevity and immortality.
It is chanted while smearing ''
vibhuti
In Hinduism, ''vibhuti'' ( sa, विभूति, vibhūti), also called ''bhasma'' or ''thiruneeru'', is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Hindu devotees apply ''vibhuti'' tradi ...
'' over various parts of the body and utilised in ''
japa'' (mantra repetition) or
''homa'' (religious offering ceremony).
See also
*
Shri Rudram Chamakam
''Shri Rudram'' ( sa, श्रीरुद्रम्, śrī-rudram), is a Vedic mantra or chant in homage to Rudra (an epithet of Shiva) taken from the ''Krishna Yajurveda's'' ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (TS 4.5, 4.7). It comprises two parts, ...
*
Om Namah Shivaya
*
Shanti Mantras
*
Shiva
*
Om
*
Vibhuti
In Hinduism, ''vibhuti'' ( sa, विभूति, vibhūti), also called ''bhasma'' or ''thiruneeru'', is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Hindu devotees apply ''vibhuti'' tradi ...
Notes
References
{{Shaivism
Vedas
Hindu mantras