Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: The Great Death-Conquering Mantra
Learn the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for healing and protection. Complete guide with pronunciation, meaning, and traditional practice methods.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: The Great Death-Conquering Mantra
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of the most powerful mantras in Vedic tradition. Known as the "great death-conquering mantra," it's chanted for healing, protection, and spiritual liberation.
The Sacred Text
In Devanagari:
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
In Transliteration:
Oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe
Sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam
Urvārukamiva bandhanān
Mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt
Practice This Mantra
Listen to the pronunciation and start learning
The Meaning Decoded
Line 1: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
"Om, we worship the three-eyed one"
Line 2: सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
"The fragrant one who increases prosperity"
Line 3: उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
"Like a cucumber from its stem"
Line 4: मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्
"May I be freed from death, not from immortality"
Complete Translation
"We worship the three-eyed one (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings. Like a cucumber naturally separates from its vine when ripe, may I be liberated from death, but not from immortality."
Pronunciation Guide
Critical Sounds
Tryambakam (त्र्यम्बकम्):
Sugandhim (सुगन्धिम्):
Puṣṭivardhanam (पुष्टिवर्धनम्):
Urvārukam (उर्वारुकम्):
Mṛtyormukṣīya (मृत्योर्मुक्षीय):
The Cucumber Metaphor
The metaphor of the cucumber (urvāruka) is profound:
When a cucumber is unripe, pulling it from the vine damages both. When fully ripe, it naturally separates without effort or damage.
Spiritual meaning:
Traditional Practice Methods
For Healing
When: During illness, after accidents, before surgery
Method:
For Protection
When: Before travel, during danger, for safety
Method:
For Spiritual Practice
When: Daily sadhana, Maha Shivaratri, Mondays
Method:
When to Use This Mantra
Recommended Situations
Traditional Occasions
The Maha Mrityunjaya Homa
For serious situations, Vedic priests perform the Maha Mrityunjaya Homa (fire ceremony):
Components:
This is considered the most powerful application for healing serious illness.
Modern Research Perspective
While spiritual benefits can't be measured scientifically, research on mantra meditation shows:
The traditional claim of "conquering death" might be understood as:
Precautions and Traditions
Traditional Guidelines
Modern Approach
Many teachers now make this mantra accessible to all sincere seekers. The key factors are:
Combining with Other Practices
Before Mahamrityunjaya:
After Mahamrityunjaya:
In illness:
Begin Your Practice
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a profound practice for anyone seeking healing, protection, or spiritual depth. Its power lies not in magic but in the transformation it creates through sincere repetition.
Start with 11 repetitions daily. Focus on pronunciation first, then meaning, then feeling. Let the practice deepen naturally over time.
Practice Mahamrityunjaya Mantra with AI pronunciation feedback at Vedic Voice.