The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: text and meaning
त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥
tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhim puṣṭivardhanam |
urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt ||
Word by word
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tryambakamत्रिऽअम्बकम् | ‘three-eyed’ (originally probably ‘three-mothered’) Rudra or (later on) Śiva |
| yajāmaheयजामहे | to worship, adore, honour (esp. with sacrifice or oblations) |
| sugandhimसुऽगन्धिम् | sweet-smelling, fragrant |
| puṣṭi-vardhanamपुष्टिऽवर्धनम् | increasing prosperity or welfare |
| urvārukam-ivaउर्वारुकम्ऽइव | (urvāru) a species of cucumber, Cucumis Usitatissimus; the fruit of Cucumis Usitatissimus + (iva) like, in the same manner as |
| bandhanātबन्धनात् | a bond, tie (also fig.), rope, cord, tether |
| mṛtyoḥमृत्योः | death, dying |
| mukṣīyaमुक्षीय | to loose, let loose, free … release, liberate … (Ā.) to free one's self, get rid of, escape from |
| māमा | not, that not, lest, would that not |
| amṛtātअमृतात् | immortality |
Tryambaka we worship, sweet augmenter of prosperity. As from its stem the cucumber, so may I be released from death, not reft of immortality.
R. T. H. Griffith, The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896, public domain), IntraText edition, Book the Seventh, Hymn LIX, stanza 12
- The opening 'Om' on the page is not part of Ṛgveda 7.59.12.
- The padapāṭha (मा । अमृतात्) divides the saṃhitā form māmṛtāt as mā + amṛtāt, 'not from immortality', and Griffith follows it ('not reft of immortality'). The commentary on the same Wikisource page gives two readings. One takes it as आमृतात् ('up to immortality / liberation'). The other, quoting the Taittirīya commentary, reads अमृतात् … मा मुक्षीय ('may I not be released from immortality'). Reviewer to choose the reading the page explains.
- The verse also appears in other saṃhitās. The commentary on the Wikisource page cites Taittirīya Saṃhitā 1.8.6.2, but that text was not opened here.
- Not verified: the page's claims that the Charaka Samhita 'classifies' this mantra, and the links drawn to Ojas, are not supported by any source opened here.
Sources
- ऋग्वेदः सूक्तं ७.५९ (Sanskrit Wikisource), Ṛgveda 7.59.12
- Ṛgveda, Maṇḍala 7 (GRETIL; Aufrecht 2nd ed., Bonn 1877, digitised by B. A. van Nooten & G. B. Holland, rev. D. Eichler), RV_7,059.12a and RV_7,059.12c
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 463,1
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 838,3
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 1222,2
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 639,2
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 218,2
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 721,1
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 827,3
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 820,3
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 804,1
- Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries, MW p. 82,2
- R. T. H. Griffith, The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896, public domain), IntraText edition, Book the Seventh, Hymn LIX, stanza 12
About this practice
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, known as the Great Death-Conquering Mantra, appears in the Rig Veda (VII.59.12) and is addressed to Lord Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed one. The mantra reads: 'Om Tryambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Mukshiya Ma'mritat.' It translates as a prayer for nourishment, liberation from the bonds of mortality, and the attainment of immortal awareness, much like a ripe cucumber naturally separating from its vine.
In Ayurvedic healing tradition, this mantra holds a position of supreme importance for health restoration and disease prevention. The Charaka Samhita classifies it among the most potent Daiva Vyapashraya (divine therapy) techniques, used alongside herbal medicine and lifestyle modifications for serious health conditions. The mantra is said to activate the body's inherent healing intelligence by connecting the individual prana with the cosmic healing force embodied by Shiva-Rudra.
The metaphor within the mantra is profoundly Ayurvedic: 'Pushti-vardhanam' (one who nourishes and increases vitality) directly references the building of Ojas, the vital essence of immunity. 'Sugandhim' (sweet-fragrance) alludes to the subtle aromatic quality of healthy Ojas that ancient physicians could perceive in patients. The cucumber metaphor speaks to natural, effortless healing, when health is restored, disease falls away as naturally as a ripe fruit detaches from the plant.
This mantra is especially beneficial during illness, recovery, or periods of physical vulnerability. It is traditionally chanted for those who are unwell, making it a powerful practice for healers and caregivers as well as patients. The vibration is said to create a protective shield of healing energy (Kavacham) around the practitioner.
For Vata types, the mantra's association with nourishment and the stabilizing energy of Shiva provides deep reassurance during health anxiety. For Kapha types, the death-conquering aspect of the mantra awakens the will to overcome inertia and stagnation, pushing through the heaviness that can accompany chronic conditions.
Benefits
- Activates the body's innate healing intelligence through sacred vibrational therapy
- Strengthens Ojas (vital immunity) and supports recovery from illness or surgery
- Creates a protective energetic field that supports physical and mental resilience
- Reduces fear and anxiety around health, aging, and mortality
- Supports Vata balance by invoking Shiva's stabilizing, nurturing energy
- Enhances the effectiveness of other Ayurvedic treatments when used as complementary practice
- Cultivates acceptance of life's natural cycles while affirming the immortal nature of awareness
How to practice
- 1
Sit quietly and set a healing intention. If practicing for yourself, place your hands over the area of your body that needs healing. If practicing for another, hold them gently in your heart's awareness.
- 2
Light a ghee lamp or candle if possible, representing the healing fire of Lord Tryambaka. Take 5 deep breaths, releasing any fear or tension related to health concerns with each exhale.
- 3
Begin chanting slowly and clearly: 'Om Tryambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Mukshiya Ma'mritat.' Feel each word as a healing vibration.
- 4
Visualize warm, golden-white light emanating from the mantra's vibration, surrounding your entire body like a cocoon of healing energy. With each repetition, this light grows brighter and more penetrating.
- 5
Continue chanting for 108 repetitions using a mala, or for a minimum of 21 repetitions. Maintain the visualization of healing light increasing with each round.
- 6
After chanting, sit in silence and feel the healing vibration continuing to work within your body. Visualize any illness or imbalance dissolving naturally, like a ripe fruit falling from a vine.
- 7
Close by offering the merit of your practice to all beings who are suffering. Affirm: 'May this healing energy benefit all who need it.' Rest for 3-5 minutes in peaceful silence.
Practice tips
- Chanting over water and then drinking it is a traditional practice called Mantra Jala, believed to infuse the water with healing vibrations
- If you are ill, even listening to the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra being chanted by others is considered beneficial in the Vedic healing tradition
- Rudraksha malas are considered especially potent for this mantra due to their association with Lord Shiva
- Practice consistently for 40 consecutive days (a traditional mandala) for the deepest healing impact
Vaidya picks the right session for your dosha — the balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha you were born with — and the time of day. Free, about 4 minutes. Take the dosha quiz to start.
Take the dosha quiz→Three questions towards your dosha
These are the first three questions of the full dosha quiz. Answer them here and carry on where you left off.
Prefer to start from the beginning? Take the full dosha quiz.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this is one of the most traditional applications. Chanting for others (Parachikitsa) is an established practice in Vedic healing. Visualize the person surrounded by healing light while chanting. Many practitioners chant 108 repetitions dedicated to the well-being of a specific person. The intention of compassionate healing amplifies the mantra's effect.
No. While the mantra is powerful during serious illness, it is equally practiced for preventive health, daily vitality, and overcoming any form of suffering, physical, mental, or spiritual. The 'death' in Mrityunjaya represents not only physical death but the death of ignorance, limitation, and unhealthy patterns. Regular daily practice builds resilient health and a stable, fearless mind.