Mritunjaya the inner meaning
The maha mrityunjaya mantra is taken from the rig veda(7.59.12) and is considered as the first of the four vedas( rig, yajur, sama and adarva veda). In sanskrit, “maha” means great, “mrityu” means death, “jaya” means victory. According to nature’s law one who is born eventually dies. Through the practice of reciting this mantra we obtain victory over the fear of death.
Story behind the origin of maha mrityunjaya mantra
In Bhagavad geeta (9.34 and 18.65) lord Krishna mentions that chanting mantras means to offer prayers. There are three interesting stories associated with theorigin of mahamrityunjaya mantra.
One story is associated with rishi markandeya, the son of sage mrikandu. An astrologer told his father about the premature death of this child and he advised his child to worship lord shiva and this mantra was then revealed unto him.
The second story is associated with shukracharya, the spiritual master of the demons. Lord shiva revealed this mantra to him as sanjeevani vidya or the art of resurrection.
The third story relates to the portion of rigveda in which it is found. That portion is said to have been composed by maharishi vashishtha. This mantra is believed to be taught by lord shiva himself to goddess parvathi.
Maha mrityunjaya mantra
The maha mrityunjaya mantra is formed after completing the mrityunjaya mantra with bija, kilaka and shakti mantras and the three vyahrtis of brahma gayatri mantra as per shiva purana and markandeya purana.
Om hyau joom saha om bhur bhuva swaha
Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim
Pustivardhanam.
Urvarukam iva bandhanan mrtyor
Muksiya ma’mrtat.
Swaha bhuva bhur om saha joom hyau om
‘I worship the three-eyed one (lord siva), who is fragrant and makes us grow, may I be released from the bondage of mortality just as the ripe cucumber (effortlessly leaves the plant), may I never be distanced from immortality’.
The practice of any mantra sense vibrations from body to mind and soul it awakens the internal healing courses naturally that causes changes in the body for wellbeing. The scriptures guarantee that through sincere practice we can clear the physical and mental obstacles, strengthening the willpower, knowledge and attain freedom from many weaknesses (the fear of death being the greatest ) and end up being stronger. This mantra is beneficial to those who struggle with illness, grief and fear. It helps in getting access to their own healing force in spiritual aspect. Japa (silent repetition of mantra) can be done using a mala (preferably 108 rudraksha mala) is in practice.
Mrityunjaya homam
Is performed by people invoking lord siva in temples or homes as an fact of Deivavyapashraya chikitsa by Hindus to relieve from very serious illness or avoid untimely death. Basically this practice has been followed in Hindu tradition from many years for longevity of life.