Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of the oldest and most important mantra in Indian mythology and spirituality. This mantra belongs to Lord Shiva. It is a combination of three words in the language Hindi to say "Maha" means great, 'Mrityun' means death and "Jaya" means victory, which turns into conquest or victory is death.It is  also known as "Rudra Mantra" or "Trayambakam Mantra". This mantra is created by Rishi Markandeya. 

Mantra: 

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे  सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् |
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्  मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ||

Mantra:  

Om Try-Ambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pusstti-Vardhanam |

Urvaarukam-Iva Bandhanaan Mrtyor-Mukssiiya Maa-mrtaat ||

Meaning:

Om, We Worship the Three-Eyed One (Lord Shiva), Who is Fragrant (Spiritual Essence) and Who Nourishes all beings. May He severe our Bondage of Samsara (Worldly Life), like a Cucumber (severed from the bondage of its Creeper) and thus Liberate us from the Fear of Death, by making us realize that we are never separated from our Immortal Nature.

Summary:

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva (part of the Hindu trinity, the lord of destruction, penance and meditation) for help in overcoming "death". The seeker is more concerned with avoiding spiritual "death" rather than physical "death". The mantra is a request to Lord Shiva to lead us to the mountain of meditation, which is indeed Lord Shiva's abode.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared before his devotee Markandeya (who was destined to die at the age of sixteen) and stopped his aging process a few days before he was supposed to turn sixteen. Thus, death would never be able to claim him! Hence, this mantra is also referred to as the Markandeya mantra in classical Hindu studies. The mantra should ideally be repeated 108 times, twice daily, at dawn and at dusk. It is particularly useful for meditation and yoga practice.