The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् | उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ||

The mantra first appears in RV 7.59, a complex hymn attributed to Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi. If you ask about the meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, most people will tell you it is a mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva, and will give a definition based on the literal meaning of each word.

Which goes like this:

We worship the Three-Eyed One, who is fragrant and nourishes all.

As the fruit falls free from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.

What matters more, however, is the vibration you create. The combination of sounds in any mantra generates a specific vibration in the body. Our body has a vibrational dimension. All cells and atoms vibrate in harmony with one another. The moment this harmony is broken at the vibrational level, the body begins to break down and we start to die. In death, the pulsation of the body ceases and the life force leaves it. Vibrations are a manifestation of the life force.

Symbolically, these vibrations are represented in the various chakras, or psychic centers. When we use a combination of mantras or sound syllables, we activate and draw out the potential of these vibrations, which are inherently bound up with the body. When we use a sequence of vibrations, as in the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, these vibrations realign the disturbances in the vibrational system. Through this mantra, illness can be effectively managed.

The powerful syllables of Mahamrityunjaya, "Tryambakam yajamahe," create a vibration that, according to tradition, removes the influence of tamas — that stagnant, static nature devoid of inspiration and motivation. Through yoga, one becomes more aware of the energy field of the pranamaya kosha. According to yogic theory, illness arises when the body loses its joy and will to live, so the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, by resetting the frequencies and vibrations in our body, promotes health and healing.

During the Sita Kalyanam celebration in 1998, Sri Swamiji recommended the Mahamrityunjaya mantra and the Gayatri mantra to everyone. He said: "I give you my guarantee that if you do this with intense focus, willpower, and purity of heart and feeling, there is no doubt that health and healing will be assured, whether for yourself or for others."

Every morning, when we chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra eleven times, the sound vibrations and frequencies activate the solar plexus, the manipura chakra, and the weakened pranic energy in various parts of the body is reinforced once again. Once the depleted energies are revitalized, they work to release imbalances and illness from the physiological structure. This is why the Mahamrityunjaya mantra has, since time immemorial, been recognized as a mantra for awakening prana shakti, the life force, and for attaining health. It is a healing mantra.

Mrityunjaya means "Conqueror of Death," and is one of the 108 names of Lord Shiva.

Shiva has a dual nature. He guards the universal order with fierce determination, destroying attachments and freeing his devotees from ignorance. He is the inner controller and dissolver, bringing the compulsive pursuit of passion — and even life itself — to its natural end. This aspect of Shiva is reflected in his ancient name Rudra, "the one who roars." On the other hand, his more familiar name, Shiva, means "auspicious, gracious, or kind." Here, compassion is Shiva's nature. He is a refuge of goodness and a bestower of blessings. With tenderness and a steady hand, he guides those who strive for self-realization and eases the suffering of the universe.

Shiva embodies pure consciousness. He manifests the universe and exists within it like a web into which every particle and every being is woven. Yet he remains untouched by the world's charms and temptations, silently holding everything that moves within his unmoving presence. He is the Lord of Yogis, established in meditation.

There are many stories glorifying Shiva as Mrityunjaya and extolling the practice of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Many of them are allegorical, giving symbolic meaning to their characters and plot; others are primarily inspirational; still others reveal details about specific practices.

The power of the mantra was explained by Shiva himself in the Netra Tantra, a recorded dialogue between Shiva and his consort Parvati. At the start of the text, Parvati asks: "Your eyes are so beautiful; they are filled with tears of compassion. How is it possible that such eyes could unleash a terrible fire capable of turning death itself to ashes?"

Shiva said: "Take up yoga, O Parvati, for only then will you be able to understand how the fire within my eyes is an immortal elixir. The light in my eyes is all-pervading. It turns in every direction and is present in all the states of waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. It is the source of life for all living beings. It can be known only through the practice of yoga, and it can never be experienced by those who make no effort."

"The light in my eyes is the same as one's own radiance. This is self-evident. It is the highest form of inner strength. It is eternal, and it is ojas — the radiant energy that fills matter with life. It is the power of will — the unbreakable will of the soul. Within it lies the seed of omniscience, the power of knowledge, and the power of action. It is through this inner strength that I destroy and I create."

"The entire universe is filled and sustained by this energy. In truth, the powers of will, knowledge, and action together are my eyes. They are the source of immortality, the ultimate power of healing and nourishment. They are the embodiment of my radiant vitality. Those versed in the science of mantra call it Mrityunjaya, the conqueror of death. It grants freedom from every form of misery, for it is the destroyer of all disease. Meditating on this dazzling light, manifested in the form of the Mrityunjaya mantra, cools the burning heat of earthly and spiritual poverty. It is pure, tranquil, and unfailing."

"The light of this mantric shakti outshines millions of suns. With this fire of radiant divine energy, I instantly destroy the world and breathe life back into it in the blink of an eye. There is nothing beyond this power…."

"Through this mantra, all enemies — anger, hatred, envy, and greed — can be overcome. It is the source of longevity, health, and well-being…. Taking on many forms and shapes, the power of this light, the Mrityunjaya mantra, pervades the entire universe. It is the source of all physical, mental, and spiritual protection. There is no greater mystery than this: the mystery of my eyes, the fire that dwells within them, and how that fire manifests in the form of the Mrityunjaya mantra."

– Excerpt from the Netra Tantra, translated by Dr. Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.

HOW TO USE THIS HEALING MANTRA

Many meditators have made the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra part of their daily routine. There are no restrictions on who may learn and practice the mantra, nor is it necessary to accept the mythology surrounding it in order to use it. It is enough to approach it with respect.

The first step is learning to recite the mantra correctly. Although the text may seem long, it has only thirty-two syllables and can be learned with little effort. Slow repetition, combined with reviewing the meaning of each word, will help you memorize it.

Once you have learned the mantra, call it to mind at the start of your daily meditation, as a kind of invocation before your regular practice. After settling the body and breath, perform 3, 11, 21, or even 36 recitations, and let your mind become absorbed in the sound and rhythm of each line. Let the mantra draw your awareness to the heart center or the brow center, whichever feels most natural to you, and use that center as the focal point of your awareness. If you are reciting the mantra to help with health issues, focus your attention on the navel center.

At some point you may wish to do more repetitions over a given period. There are many good reasons to do so. You may be going through a period of poor health or low energy; you may be seeking a deeper sense of security or certainty; or you may feel stressed or overwhelmed by events or attachments in your life.

Each day, before you begin, remember the visionary sage of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, Vasishtha. Simply call his spirit to mind, honoring him with your respect. Then begin your practice. In time, you may find that the one or two malas you complete each day have become a steady, lasting part of your life.

Text inspired by the teachings of Paramahamsa Swami Niranjan ji, and by personal practice.

Piyush Mittal

Nirmala Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda

Photo source: Internet