Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Aum Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam |

Urva - rukamiva Bandhanan

Mrtyor - muksheeya Maamritat ||

OM. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is naturally fragrant, immensely merciful and who is the Protector of the devotees. Worshiping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk i.e. “By your Grace, Let me be in the state of salvation (Moksha) and be saved from the clutches of fearful death and calamities”.

Word-by-word meaning of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:-

ॐ aum = is a sacred/mystical syllable in Sanatan Dharma or hindu religions

त्र्यम्बकम् tryambakam = the three-eyed one

त्रि + अम्बकम् = tri + ambakam = three + eye

यजामहे yajāmahe = We worship, adore, honour, revere

सुगन्धिम् sugandhim = sweet smelling, fragrant

पुष्टि puṣṭi = A well-nourished condition, thriving, prosperous, fullness of life,

वर्धनम् vardhanam = One who nourishes, strengthens, causes to increase in health, wealth, well-being

पुष्टि-वर्धनम् = puṣṭi+vardhanam = पुष्टि: वर्धते अनेन तत् = puṣṭiḥ vardhate anena tat = The one who nourishes someone else and gives his life fullness.

उर्वारुकमिव urvārukam-iva = like the cucumber or melon ; or like a big peach.

बन्धनान् bandhanān = "from captivity"

मृत्योर्मुक्षीय mṛtyormukṣīya = Free, liberate From death

मृत्यु: + मुक्षीय = mṛtyoḥ + mukṣīya= from death + free

मा ∫ मृतात् mā ∫ mṛtāt can be translated in a number of different ways:

1) मा + अमृतात् = mā + amṛtāt = not + immortality, nectar

Translation would be: (Free me from death but) not from immortality.

2) मा (माम) + अमृतात् = mā (short form of mām) + amṛtāt = myself + immortality

Translation would be: Give me some life rejuvenating nectar

3) मा (माम) + अमृतात् = mā (short form of mām) + amṛtāt = myself + sure, definitely

Translation would be: Free me from certain death.