महामृत्युंजय मंत्र
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Shiva · All Mantras
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra — also called the Tryambakam Mantra or Rudra Mantra — is a powerful Vedic hymn to Lord Shiva as the conqueror of death (Mrityunjaya). It appears in Rigveda 7.59.12 and is prominently recited from the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita during Rudra…
Read the lines, meaning, and japa guide below →
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra — also called the Tryambakam Mantra or Rudra Mantra — is a powerful Vedic hymn to Lord Shiva as the conqueror of death (Mrityunjaya). It appears in Rigveda 7.59.12 and is prominently recited from the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita during Rudra abhishekam and healing rituals.
Legend holds that Markandeya Rishi chanted this mantra when Yama came for him at age sixteen; Shiva granted him immortality. Today it is chanted for recovery from illness, protection from untimely death, and deep spiritual renewal — often alongside Rudram and abhishekam on Mondays and during Shravan.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam. Urvarukamiva bandhanan mrityor mukshiya mamritat.
We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, fragrant and nourishing, who increases vitality. As a ripe cucumber is released from its stem, may we be freed from the bondage of death — not from the nectar of immortality.
Audio recitation will appear here once generated. You can still use the japa counter below.
Japa count
0 / 108
Target: 108 times daily; 11 malas (1,188) for intensive healing sankalpa · Mala: Rudraksha mala (five-mukhi or eleven-mukhi traditionally)
Benefits of chanting
- •Traditionally chanted for healing, recovery, and protection from untimely death.
- •Central to Rudra abhishekam and Maha Mrityunjaya homam.
- •Believed to reduce fear, anxiety, and karmic obstacles related to health.
- •Recommended during serious illness — for the patient or by family on their behalf.
- •Deepens connection with Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed destroyer of ignorance.
- •Often paired with Om Namah Shivaya and Shiv Chalisa in daily Shiva sadhana.
How to chant — traditional guidance
Best day
Monday, Maha Shivaratri, Shravan month, and during illness recovery
Best time
Brahma muhurta or during Rudra abhishekam; avoid late night unless in formal sadhana
Japa count
108 times daily; 11 malas (1,188) for intensive healing sankalpa
Mala
Rudraksha mala (five-mukhi or eleven-mukhi traditionally)
- ·Light a diya or perform abhishekam with water, milk, or bilva leaves if possible.
- ·Chant with clear pronunciation — each word carries Vedic weight.
- ·Maintain a sattvic diet and avoid alcohol during intensive japa periods.
- ·Visualise Shiva as Tryambaka bestowing healing light.
- ·Conclude with Om Namah Shivaya and a brief Shiva aarti if at home.
Common questions
Can I chant Maha Mrityunjaya for someone who is ill?
Yes. It is common for family members or priests to chant on behalf of a patient, especially during hospital stays or recovery. Many temples perform group japa and abhishekam for this purpose.
What is the difference between this and Om Namah Shivaya?
Om Namah Shivaya is a short Panchakshari nama-mantra for daily devotion. Maha Mrityunjaya is a longer Vedic rik specifically associated with healing, longevity, and release from the fear of death.
Which scripture is the primary source?
The mantra appears in Rigveda 7.59.12 and is widely transmitted through the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita 1.8.6.i, where it is used in Rudra worship.
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How Daanyam computes this
Daanyam computes Mantra Library with Swiss Ephemeris (professional-grade ephemeris), Lahiri ayanāṃśa, and whole-sign houses where applicable — serving 10,000+ charts daily with ~95% agreement vs classical table checks in our audits. Classical framing draws on Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, Jataka Parijata. See how we compute →
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — Classical Jyotish text on planetary significations and chart interpretation
- Phaladeepika — Mantreswara's treatise on predictive astrology
- Jataka Parijata — Vaidyanatha's compendium on birth chart analysis
Rigveda 7.59.12; Krishna Yajurveda Taittirīya Saṃhitā 1.8.6.i (Śrī Rudram tradition).