Back to Mantras
Healing and ProtectionLord Shiva
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — Meaning Word by Word
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Maamritat
Word-by-Word Meaning
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ॐ | oṃ | The primordial sound; the supreme reality (Brahman) |
| त्र्यम्बकं | tryambakam | The three-eyed one (Shiva), whose third eye is the eye of wisdom (accusative case) |
| यजामहे | yajāmahe | We worship, we adore, we make offering to |
| सुगन्धिं | sugandhim | The fragrant one — whose presence spreads like sweet fragrance in all directions |
| पुष्टिवर्धनम् | puṣṭi-vardhanam | The nourisher and increaser of strength, prosperity, and well-being |
| उर्वारुकमिव | urvārukam iva | "Like a cucumber" — as a ripe cucumber separates effortlessly from the vine |
| बन्धनान् | bandhanān | From bondage, from the stem that binds (ablative case) |
| मृत्योः | mṛtyoḥ | From death (ablative case) |
| मुक्षीय | mukṣīya | May I be liberated, may I be set free (optative mood) |
| माऽमृतात् | mā amṛtāt | "Not from immortality" — may I never be separated from the immortal nectar of liberation |
Full Meaning
We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who nourishes all. May he liberate us from death like a cucumber from its vine, but not from immortality
This mantra is known as the "Great Death-Conquering Mantra" and is chanted for healing and protection
How to Chant
Chant 108 times with deep focus on healing and protection
Pronunciation
OHM try-UM-buh-kum yuh-JAH-muh-hay soo-GUHN-dheem POOSH-tee-vur-DHUH-num oor-vuh-ROO-kuh-mee-vuh BUN-dhuh-nahn MRIT-yor-MOOK-shee-yuh MAH-mrit-AHT
Repetitions
108 times
Duration
20-30 minutes
When to Chant
Early morning, during illness, for healing, Tuesday and Thursday
Benefits
Promotes healing and recoveryProtects from untimely deathBrings longevity and good healthRemoves fear of deathEnhances spiritual strengthPromotes overall well-being