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महामृत्युञ्जय मन्त्र
Shiva · mantra · 1 verses
Rishi Vasishtha (revealed)
Rig Veda 7.59.12; Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita 1.8.6.1; Atharva Veda 14.1.17
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra — the Great Death-Conquering Mantra — is one of the oldest and most potent mantras in the Vedic tradition, appearing in the Rig Veda (7.59.12) as a hymn to the three-eyed Tryambaka form of Shiva. It is simultaneously a prayer for healing, protection from premature death, and ultimately a petition for liberation (moksha) over mere worldly continuation. The mantra's central image — the ripe cucumber falling naturally from its vine — conveys that death should come in its right season, not through disease or violence, and that the real liberation is from the cycle of rebirth.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam।
urvārukam-iva bandhanān-mṛtyor-mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt॥
We worship the three-eyed Shiva, fragrant and the nourisher of all beings. Like a ripe cucumber easily falls from its vine, may He liberate us from death — but not from immortality.
Word meanings
tryambakaṃ — the three-eyed one (Shiva)
yajāmahe — we worship
sugandhiṃ — the fragrant one
puṣṭi-vardhanam — the nourisher / sustainer of all
urvārukam-iva — like a ripe cucumber/melon
bandhanāt — from its stem / bondage
mṛtyoḥ — from death
mukṣīya — may we be liberated
mā amṛtāt — but not from immortality
Sources: Rig Veda 7.59.12; Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita 1.8.6.1; Atharva Veda 14.1.17. Awaiting scholar verification.