Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: Its Origin, Meaning, and Benefits!

The world has seen, sees, and will see chaos, death, and sufferings just like it sees order, peace, and the origin of new life. However, sometimes the sufferings and fear are just too much to bear. Seeing this harsh reality of life on Earth, Gods, according to Hindu Vedas, have repeatedly provided humanity with many tools and means to heal the sick and see the light. One such very interesting and fascinating divine mantra that Lord Shiva himself gave to humans is Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. 

Every word and every sentence of the maha mrityunjaya mantra has a special meaning. Want to understand how this ultimate healing mantra can be used to prevail happiness and harmony? If yes, just hold onto the facts compiled in this guide. Dive in! 

Story Behind the Origin of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra According to Hindu Vedas 

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam urvarukamiva bandhanaat
mrityormukshiya maamritaat!

This mantra is given the highest place amongst all other mantras that exist in the Hindu Vedas. There are many stories behind its origin. But the most credible story that many astrologers believe in is about a sage Mrikandu and his devoted wife, Marudvati. 

According to the Vedas, Mrikandu and Marudvati, who were childless, worshipped Lord Shiva (their Ishtadev). Pleased by their devotion, Lord Shiva gave them 2 options. They could either get a son who would be wise and devoted but will live for 16 years only or they could have a son who would live long but would be cruel, foolish, and selfish. 

The couple chose the first option and the Son they were blessed with was named, Markandeya. Markandeya didn’t know the story and condition behind his birth but as his 16th birthday arrived, his parents revealed the secret. 

Already spiritual and wise, Markandeya took shelter in a Shiva temple and went into a deep meditation mode in front of a shivling. The messengers of death came to take Markandeya but seeing him in the middle of meditation, they returned. Yam dev (the God of Death in Hinduism) had to come himself to take Markandeya. 

He repeatedly asked Markandeya to come wilfully but absorbed in praying, Markandeya didn’t comply. So, Yam had to throw a noose around his neck. But while doing so, he also ended up putting the noose around the shivling. 

According to the Vedas, Lord Shiva is indestructible and death has no hold over him. Triggered by what Yam had done, Lord Shiva killed Yama dev then and there. It created panic amongst other Gods who urged Lord Shiva to bring Yam Dev back to life. Shiva did comply and gave Yam his life back. 

Simultaneously, pleased by the devotion of Markandeya, Lord Shiva blessed him with immortality and said that he would live forever as a 16-year-old sage. 

Many astrologers believe that the death-defying mantra that Lord Shiva blessed Markandeya with was the maha mrityunjaya mantra. 

However, there are certain things to keep in mind when chanting the maha mrityunjaya mantra Jaap for it to be effective. 

Things to Remember When Reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Jap  

Chant the Mantra 108 Times 

108 has been associated with many things in astrology that make it a very lucky and sacred number. 

1. The number 1 symbolizes oneness, 0 means nothing, and 8 signifies everything or infinity. When combined, they indicate that there’s just one universe that’s empty yet everything. 
2. There are a total of 108 Upanishads in the Hindu culture. 

These are a couple of reasons that the Mahamrityun Jaya Jaap – and all other mantras – should be recited 108 times. 

The Right Time to Chant the Mantra 

Whilst the maha mrityunjaya mantra yields benefits whenever it is recited with utmost devotion, it is still believed that the best time to chant this mantra is at 4 AM.

You may also like to read – 5 Most Powerful Shiva Mantra for Success and Peace

4 Benefits of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

It Helps You in Sleeping Peacefully 

You should recite the maha mrityunjaya mantra if you have trouble sleeping. This mantra is known to bring spiritual upliftment and ultimate harmony and peace. 

1. It keeps bad dreams away. 
2. It reduces stress and anxiety. 

It Helps in Healing the Sick

This should not come as a surprise since the maha mrityunjaya mantra is also known as a death-defying mantra. That’s the reason that people organize the maha mrityunjaya Yagya when someone falls very sick in the family. 

It is believed that when Brahmins chant the mantra during the Yagya, the person for whom the Yagya is being performed gets healed with the blessings of Lord Shiva. 

Other ways in which this mantra can prolong life are as follows. 

1. It will protect you from accidents. 
2. It will protect you from black magic. 
3. It will protect you from diseases. 

It Can bestow You with Wisdom and Wealth

Lord Shiva is the wisest and kindest deity. So, chanting his mantra bestows you with the kind of wisdom that the Lord himself has.

1. You will feel peaceful like the Lord himself.
2. You will make better decisions as the Lord does.
3. You will stand undefeated as the Lord himself. 

As a result, you will be able to make better financial decisions and earn wealth. Also, your competitors will not be able to defeat you or bring you down when you have the shield of Shiva protecting you. 

It Offers Protection for Evil

The maha mrityunjaya mantra is the ultimate cleansing mantra. It will clean your soul from anger, jealousy, and greed – the 3 evils that cloud the judgment of human beings.