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Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Origin, Significance and Meaning ...

 

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Origin,

 

 

Significance and Meaning ...

 

 

 

 

Origin

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra was found by Rishi Markandeya. It was a secret mantra, and Rishi Markandeya was the only one in the world who knew this mantra. The Moon was once in trouble, cursed by King Daksha. Rishi Markandeya gave the Mahamritryunjaya Mantra to Sati, Daksha's daughter, for the Moon. This is how this mantra became known which according to another version is the Bija mantra as revealed to Rishi Kahola that was given by Lord Shiva to sage Sukracharya who taught it to Rishi Dadicha who gave it to King Kshuva through whom it reached the Shiva Purana.

 

 

 


It is also called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Lord Shiva; the Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Shiva's three eyes; and it is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the "life-restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Sukracharya after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. Its Devata is Rudra or Lord Shiva in his fiercest and most destructive roopa or aspect. In the Vedas it finds its place in three texts - (a) the Rig veda VII.59.12, (b) the Yajur Veda III.60, and (c) the Atharva Veda XIV.1.17.

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

 

 

 


Om Tryambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pusstti Vardhanam
Urvaarukam Iva Bandhanaan
Mrtyor Muksheeya Maa-Amritaat

It's Meaning :

 

 

 


"Let us worship Shiva (the three eyed), who is sacred (fragrant) and who nourishes all beings. Just as the ripe cucumber is automatically released from its attachment to the creeper, may we be liberated from (total identification with) death (our mortal body and personality) and be granted (realisation of )our immortality nature''

Word By Word Meaning :

Mritu - death


Jaya - victory


This mantra is so called because, when chanted sincerely with reflection on its meaning, it can convey realisation of our Essential Nature which is beyond birth and death. In this way, it gives us victory over unquestioned assumptions and ignorance of what we are.
symbol of underlying Reality, mystic mantra for evoking heightened Awareness.


Triyambakam - the three-eyed, indicating Shiva (Consciousness). This third eye is the faculty of intution and insight (in sight; inner vision; subtle perception) which allows us to realise Shiva (our Essential Nature). Besides our two fleshy eyes. each of us has a third eye which lies dormant unless it is awakened by the practices of Yoga or any other transformative system. When it awakes we can live in the world of mundne affairs (with the two fleshy eyes) whilst remaining in contact with the Roots of our Being (with the third eye).


Yajaamhe - we venerate or worship.

Sugandhim - fragrat. When the third eye is awakened everyting fragrant; that is, everything is seen to be fundamentally sacred.


Pushti - nourishes. Reality nourishes (sustains or supports) everything.

Vardhanam - increases. On the Yogic path, our understanding increases day by day.

 

 

 


Urvaarukamiva - a creeper that bears cucumber-like furits. Here it symbolises each of us and our relationship to existence. Just as each cucumber ripes on the creeper and, at the right time, falls off, so each of us can grow and mature (aided by Yoga) until we realise a deeper Element behind our existence and that of everything. This gradually releases us from our self-obsessions and we ripen - we start to open up to a wider dimension of existence. It is a natural process; Yoga is part of this process of maturation.


Note: Some people are using following explanation for urvarukam: 'urva' means "vishal" or big and powerful or deadly. 'arukam' means 'disease'. But urva does not mean 'Vishal' in sanskrit but oorva. So this translation is not correct

Bandhanaan - bondage.


Mrityor
- death; ignorance.

Muksheeya - liberate.


Therefre bandhanaan mrityor muksheeya means 'liberate us from the bondage of death or ignorance'.


Maa-amritaat - (realisation of) the immortal Reality behind everything.
Constant repetition of this ancient Sanskrit mantra purifies the heart and awakens our perception (third eye) so that we start to understand on a deeper level. Simultaneous reflection on its meaning also helps to awaken our intuitive faculties.
It may also be chanted to aid those who are suffering or ill.

Significance

 

 

 


Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is the great mantra for conquering death for it protects against all threats and at the time of death eases the process of release. It is one of the more potent of the ancient mantras, a call for enlightenment and a practice of purifying the karmas of the soul at a deep level. It is beneficial for mental, emotional and physical health. It is also a moksha mantra which bestows longevity and immortality. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra creates a very powerful protective shield of divine vibrations that wards off and protects us from negativities and evil forces. According to some puranas, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has been used by many Rishis as well as Sati during the time when Chandra suffered from the curse of Prajapati Daksha. By reciting this mantra, the effect of the curse of Daksha, that could make him die, slowed, and Shiva then took Chandra and placed it upon his head.

 

 

 


This mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva for warding off untimely death. It is also chanted while smearing Vibhuti over various parts of the Body and utilised in Japa or Homa (havan) to get desired results. While its energy protects and guides the intiates a mantra re-links consciousness to its deeper and more abiding nature and repetition of the mantra constitutes Japa, the practice of which develops concentration that leads to a transformation of awareness. Whereas the Gayatri Mantra is meant for purification and spiritual guidance, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is meant for healing rejuvenation and nurturance.