There are 10600 verses in Rig Veda and each of these verses are ascribed as Mantras (invocation to God or prayer). Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is one of the popular verses from Rig Veda. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra appears on the Book 7 of Rig Veda. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra also appears on Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
OM. Tryambakam yajamahe
Rig Veda (7.59.12)
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat
Literal translation
We Meditate on the Three-eyed one.
Which is present in all of us like a fragrance.
May we be freed from the worldly attachments
Just like the ripened cucumber is freed from the creeper.
Vedic Deity Rudra: The Epitaph of Lord Shiva
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is dedicated to Rudra. Rudra is a Vedic deity associated with Wind, Storm, or Hunt. The literal translation of Rudra is Terror or Roar. Rudra is one of the most terrible deities in Rig Veda and he is said to bring tempest. The hymns in Rig Veda describe Rudra as a male with braided hair, three eyes, holding bow and arrow, Rig Veda also mentions that Rudra is the most merciful one, he cures illness. Some stanzas on Rig Veda also mention Rudra as Vaidyanath (Lord of Remedies)
Rudra is also mentioned as the Lord or Sovereign of the Universe in Rig Veda.
With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations:
Rig Veda 2.33.9
The strength of Godhead never departs from Rudra, him who is Sovereign of this world, the mighty
Rudra as the Lord of Universe is also mentioned on Yajurveda. Rudra is one of the major Gods in Vedas. However, in the post Vedic literature, mostly Puranas, Shiva is one of the major Gods. Interestingly, Rudra and Shiva have strikingly similar features and responsibilities. Therefore, Hindu scholars believe that Vedic Rudra and Puranic Shiva are same.
Importance of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Rig Veda and Yajur Veda recommend chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to attain liberation. Maha Mrityunjaya literally means Conqueror of Death. A lot of Hindu astrologers suggest chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra if your birth chart shows possibilities of terminal illness, untimely death, sudden death, accidental death etc. The 6 house on the birth chart is associated with diseases and the eighth house is associated with mode of death, accident, and chronic ailments. If an individual has unfavorable planets on 6h and 8th house, he/she is likely to suffer with diseases and accidental death. According to Vedic astrology, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can help an individual avoid accidental death, death at a young age, and also recover from fatal illness.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra comes on the Book 7 of Rig Veda. The composer of the entire Book 7 is Rishi Vashistha. Thus, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is ascribed to Rishi Vashistha. It is believed that you can conquer death by chanting this mantra. in the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra there is no such mention that you can conquer death, then how was this mantra associated with the liberation from death. (the mantra mentions liberation from worldly attachment but there is no mention of liberation from death).
There is this beautiful story in Markandya Purana. There was once a bright child Markandya, son of Rishi Mrikundu, and his wife Marudmati. Sadly, it was predicted that the child will die on his 12th birthday. Then Rishi Narada suggested the child that he chant Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. When Yama, the Lord of Death came to tell the child on this 12th birthday, Lord Shiva came and saved the child. Shiva was so happy with the child that he granted eternal life.
If you want to benefit from Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, you will have to chant the mantra for at least 108 times every day. The mantra not only helps you to regain health but also save you from accidental deaths.
I recite thia mantra however I did not know all this fact about the origin of this mantra and the deity associated with the Mantra.
I take interest in Hindu mantra, however, because of my western tongue I cannot spell the words. I don’t think I can ever grasp this mantra, however, I have tried Aum and it is amazing feeling to chant Aum.