Mahamrityunjaya Mantra lyrics in Sanskrit & English, with meaning
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Mantra#
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्।।Oṁ tryambakaṁ yajāmahe
sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam.
Urvārukam iva bandhanān
mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt.हम तीन नेत्रों वाले भगवान शिव जी की पूजा करते हैं, जो सुगंधित हैं और सबका पोषण करने वाले हैं। जैसे पका हुआ खरबूजा अपनी बेल से अपने आप अलग हो जाता है, वैसे ही हमें मृत्यु के बंधन से मुक्त करें, पर अमरत्व से नहीं।
We worship the three-eyed One — fragrant, nourishing all. As the cucumber ripens and falls from its vine, may we be freed from the bondage of death — but not from immortality.
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Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ॐ | oṃ | The primordial sound; the name of the Supreme |
| त्र्यम्बकम् | tryambakam | The three-eyed one — Shiva, whose third eye is the eye of wisdom |
| यजामहे | yajāmahe | We worship; we offer ourselves |
| सुगन्धिम् | sugandhim | Fragrant — whose presence spreads like a fragrance |
| पुष्टिवर्धनम् | puṣṭivardhanam | Who increases nourishment, strength and well-being |
| उर्वारुकम् | urvārukam | A cucumber or gourd |
| इव | iva | Like, just as |
| बन्धनात् | bandhanāt | From its bond — the stalk that ties it to the vine |
| मृत्योः | mṛtyoḥ | From death |
| मुक्षीय | mukṣīya | May I be released |
| मा | mā | Not |
| अमृतात् | amṛtāt | From immortality |
What Mahamrityunjaya Mantra means
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — 'the great death-conquering mantra' — is a prayer to Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed Lord. It praises him as fragrant, as the one who increases our nourishment and strength, and then asks a single thing: to be released from death as easily and naturally as a ripe cucumber falls from its vine.
The image is gentle. A ripe fruit does not tear itself from the vine; when it is ready, the stalk simply lets go. The chanter asks for that kind of freedom — from fear of death, from untimely death, and from the bonds that hold the soul — and adds 'ma amritat': 'but not from immortality'. Freed from death, may I not be separated from the deathless.
For this reason the mantra is recited for healing and long life, for someone who is ill, at times of danger, and as a daily prayer for courage. It is also called the Tryambaka Mantra, and in some traditions the Mrita-sanjivani, the life-restoring mantra.
How to chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
- WhenEarly morning; especially Mondays, Shravan month and Maha Shivratri
- Count108 times on a mala; longer vows of 1,25,000 recitations are kept with a priest
- MalaRudraksha
- FacingEast or north
- Prepare. Bathe, sit on a clean mat facing east or north, and if you can, keep a Shiva linga or image with a small lota of water before you.
- Take a sankalp. Hold water in your right hand and state your intention — for your own well-being or for someone who is ill — then let the water fall.
- Chant steadily. Chant at an even pace, aloud or softly, giving each word its full sound: 'tryam-ba-kam ya-jā-ma-he'.
- Keep count. Move one rudraksha bead with each recitation, without crossing the head bead.
- Offer. At the end, offer the water to the Shiva linga or to a tulsi plant, and sit quietly for a minute.
The mantra is a prayer, not a substitute for medical care. Chant it alongside the treatment a doctor advises.
Where Mahamrityunjaya Mantra comes from
The mantra is from the Rigveda (Mandala 7, Sukta 59, Mantra 12), in a hymn of the sage Vasishtha, and is repeated in the Yajurveda. In the Rigveda it is addressed to Tryambaka, Rudra — the Vedic form of Shiva.
Popular tradition links the mantra with the young sage Markandeya, who was destined to die at sixteen; holding fast to the Shiva linga and taking refuge in the Lord, he was saved from Yama, and Shiva became known as Kalantaka, the ender of death.
About Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The "Great Death-Conquering" mantra from the Rigveda, addressed to Rudra-Shiva. Recited for healing, longevity, and release from fear of death. It comes from the Rigveda, Vedic (c. 1500 BCE). The text is in Sanskrit.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra comes from the Rigveda (Vedic (c. 1500 BCE)).
Where can I read Mahamrityunjaya Mantra lyrics in English?
This page has the full Mahamrityunjaya Mantra in Sanskrit (Devanagari) with the English transliteration under every verse, and the meaning of each verse in Hindi and English. Use the Chant and Meaning buttons above the verses to show only what you need.
महामृत्युञ्जय मन्त्र का अर्थ क्या है?
इस पेज पर महामृत्युञ्जय मन्त्र के हर पद के नीचे उसका सरल हिंदी अर्थ और अंग्रेज़ी अर्थ दिया गया है।
How many verses are there in Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has 1 verse as given on this page.
In which language is Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is in Sanskrit. This page gives the original text in Devanagari with Roman transliteration and meaning in Hindi and English.
How long does it take to recite Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
A full recitation takes about 1 min.
To whom is Mahamrityunjaya Mantra dedicated?
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is dedicated to Shiva. The "Great Death-Conquering" mantra from the Rigveda, addressed to Rudra-Shiva. Recited for healing, longevity, and release from fear of death.
What is the meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
'We worship the three-eyed Lord, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. As a ripe cucumber is released from its vine, may I be released from death — but not from immortality.'
How many times should the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra be chanted?
The usual count is 108 times on a rudraksha mala. For special vows, devotees complete 1,25,000 recitations over a period, often with the help of a priest.
Which Veda is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra from?
The Rigveda, Mandala 7, Sukta 59, Mantra 12, from the hymns of the sage Vasishtha. It is also found in the Yajurveda.
Can the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra be chanted for someone else?
Yes. It is often chanted for a family member who is ill; take a sankalp naming the person before you begin.
