Why Chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra? Story, Mantra Meaning, and Spiritual Benefits
Most of you must be familiar with the name “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.” Whenever someone is surrounded by problems or is unwell, they are often advised to chant this mantra. But have you ever wondered why? To truly benefit from any mantra, it’s important to understand the story behind it, its meaning, and chant it with the right intention.
The Story Behind the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Markandeya’s Last Day
It was the last day of his life and while Markandeya was still absorbed in deep meditation, Yamraj, the lord of death, had arrived with the noose in his hand. Markandeya had completed his allotted time on earth and Yamraj threw his noose around the boy’s neck to take his soul away. But how did Markandeya survive and what is the story behind the origin of the Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra?
The Birth and Boon
There was once a great sage named Mrikandu and Marudwati was his wife. The couple had been childless for a long time and hence they prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Impressed by the severe penance of the parents, Lord Shiva appeared before the couple and offered them a choice:
- To have a hundred sons who will live for a long time but will all be foolish
or - To have one very intelligent son, but his lifespan will only be 16 years.
Rishi Mirkandu chose the latter. Soon, a son was born to the couple who was named Markandeya.
Markandeya’s Wisdom
The boy grew to be extremely intelligent and at a very young age Markandeya had mastered all the Vedas and Shastras. His sharp memory and pleasant behaviour endeared him to one and all, and Rishi Mirkandu and his wife were proud parents. However, as Markandeya was closing in on the age of 16, Rishi Mirkandu and Devi Marudwati grew sadder day by day.
The Revelation
Noticing the sorrow on his parents’ faces, Markandeya one day asked them the reason. Rishi Mirkandu then informed him of Lord Shiva’s boon—that he was destined to live only till the age of sixteen years.
Markandeya replied, “Please don’t worry. Lord Shiva never abandons his devotees. I am sure Bholenath will definitely guide us to find a solution to this problem.” Thereafter, taking his parents’ blessings, Markandeya undertook severe penance to Lord Shiva.
The Encounter with Yamraj
On the last day, when Markandeya was just about to turn 16, the servants of Yamraj arrived to take his soul, but they could not approach close as Markandeya was involved in deep meditation and the power of his tap was too strong for them. Finally, Yamraj himself had to arrive on his customary buffalo, and he threw his noose around the boy’s neck.
Owing to his unshakeable faith, Markandeya did not fear. Instead, he clung onto the Shivling just as one clings to one’s mother in times of distress. Yamraj started pulling the noose and, along with Markandeya, the Shivling too was being pulled.
Lord Shiva’s Intervention
Soon the Shivling split open and out came Lord Shiva with his trident. He kicked Yamraj on his chest and ordered him to never touch the boy again, as Markandeya was his beloved devotee. Lord Shiva then turned to the young Markandeya, blessed him with immortality, and also provided him the Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra.
The Power of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
This mantra is one of the most powerful mantras of Lord Shiva and aims at warding off evil and bestowing longevity to human life.
- This mantra is an integration of three Hindi words:
Maha – which means great
Mrityu – which means death
Jaya – which means victory - So it eventually turns out to be “victory over death.”
Markandeya’s Legacy
Markandeya then went on to become a great sage and he wrote the Markandeya Puran, which includes a wide range of topics such as mythology, religion, society, human behaviour, and it also includes the famous Durga Saptashatee, which describes the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil demons.
🔱 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Full Verse):
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥
Om Tryambakaṁ Yajāmahe Sugandhiṁ Puṣṭi-Vardhanam |
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mṛtyor Mukṣīya Mā’mṛtāt ||
The Real Message
So, even though this mantra is short, its meaning is profound. That’s why it’s best to chant the mantra with understanding and deep feeling to truly experience its benefits. The real purpose of chanting is to seek liberation and spiritual fulfillment, which is possible only through patience and good actions.
Remember, the fruits of good actions lead to liberation. Share this knowledge with others so more people can understand and benefit from the true meaning of our ancient mantras.
