Few years back, many young and old became victim of Corona-Virus pandemic. The deaths occurred due to this epidemic or in fatal accidents are considered as a premature, untimely, or uncertain death also known as Akaal Mrityu. The Vedas and ancient Shastras have endless mentions of Mantras and Japas, their varied uses and their significant benefits. Both, Mahamriyunaja Mantra and Gayatri Mantra hold highest spiritual and religious importance to Hindus. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva to seek His blessings in case of untimely death, the Gayatri Mantra is meant for spiritual purification and guidance.
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a powerful sacred mantra associated with longevity, protection, healing, and sound health. This mantra is so powerful and is believed, that it protects from misfortunes and prevents premature death. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of the oldest Mantra from the Rig Veda (7.59.12) and addresses to the Rudra Avatar of Lord Shiva. This eternal Mantra is also a part of the Yajur Veda (3.60) and Atharva Veda (15.1.17) affirming its significance. It is known as “the Death Conquering Mantra,” which provides mental peace and hope. Also called Maha Mitra Mrityunjaya Mantra chanted as emergency prayers. This Mantra is considered to be the most powerful Shiva Mantra and holds great spiritual relevance. Lord Shiva is the truth, He is the cosmos, the Universe itself, and He is the beginning and the end. He is symbolizing knowledge and cosmic power. He is the God of destruction and transformation.
Maha + Mrityun + Jaya: The Mantra is the unification of three words, Maha- great, Mrityun- death and Jaya- victory; the one who is victor of the death. According to Hindu scriptures, the Mantra is also referred as Mrita-Sanjivini Mantra because of its "life-restoring" practice - one that can bring anyone back from the clutches of death. The divine vibrations of this Mantra are not only for treating diseases but also removes any fear, anxiety or mental illness and keeps away from any negative energy. A belief exists that regularly repeating (Jaap) of the mantra can bring longevity and good health.
Mantras are vibrations or sound waves. Every vibration carries its own strength and depending on the circumstance. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is the life-saving Mantra from the untimely death or any fear. This is the most powerful healing Mantra which has been adopted from ancient times till now. It bestows longevity, wards off calamities and prevents untimely death. It also removes fears and heals holistically. Frequently, Hindus recite it in situations of illness, crisis or even spiritual pursuit. The mantra combines surrender, dedication, and divine protection. This makes it a powerful spiritual tool for inner strength. It is believed, that if anyone religiously chants this Mantra, Shiva creates a protective shield around that person which protects him/her from sudden death and bestows health, wealth, and peace. This works from the outside and in your personal aura.
“The function of a Mantra is to create vibrations in the inner consciousness that will prepare it for the realization of what the Mantra symbolizes and is supposed indeed to carry within itself.” Sri Aurobindo
A Mantra is a sacred syllable, word, or set of words that have spiritual potency. There are countless Mantras—seventy million, according to Tantric lore. There is a wide variety, in form and purpose. Just as in the Universe there are infinite forms of energy there are also many Mantras—high and low, dangerous and beneficial, endowed with limited or unlimited powers, from Para Vak (the supreme Word) to the most mundane level. Mantra serves as a magnet to attract, or a lens to focus, spiritual vibrations. “Twofold is the aspect of Divinity, one, subtle, represented by the Mantra, and the other, gross, represented by an Image.” (Yamala Tantra) Therefore, a mantric syllable symbolizes the essence of divinity.
From its etymology, there are two main ways of translating the word Mantra, a “mind instrument” and a form of mental activity that brings salvation. The Sanskrit word Mantra comes from man (“mind” or “to think”) and the suffix tra, which is used to make words denoting instruments or objects. Thus, a Mantra is an instrument of thought, or a mind instrument. Mantras are tools to transport the mind from a state of activity to one of stillness and silence. Therefore, thinking activity associated with a Mantra is no ordinary thinking: it is not Vikalpa (the conceptual, discursive form of thought that accompanies empirical language). It is a more intense, more effective thinking activity, a cogitation that is also one-pointed, since it is connected with a concentrated form of speech and endowed with special potency and efficacy. Another etymological interpretation of the word Mantra relates the suffix tra to the Sanskrit root trai (“to save”). In this way, Mantras are seen as a special form of “mental activity that brings salvation.”
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is associated with the legend of Markandeya. The parents, Rishi Mrikandu and his wife Marudmati prayed for a child to Lord Shiva. They were granted a child but were destined to die young. Markandeya was a brilliant child and very much devoted to Lord Shiva. Yama, the god of death came to take his life on his 12th birthday. Markandeya also came to know all about his birth’s reality and he immediately surrendered himself to Lord Shiva. His devotion impressed Lord Shiva and granted him the boon of immortality. Lord Shiva blessed him with a death-defying powerful mantra, the Maha Mrityunjay Mantra. Ultimately, this mantra saved him and became the divine’s blessing as a source of eternal protection.
There are two versions behind the mention of this Mantra in Shiv Purana. The first one goes by this: The Mantra was only known by Rishi Markandeya, who was given the boon of this Mantra by Lord Shiva, after the former earnestly prayed to the Lord. According to another theory, Lord Shiva passed on this Mantra to Rishi Shukracharya, who later taught this to Rishi Dadichi. Sage Dadichi then used it in order to save King Kshuva, and that is how this Mantra was revealed to all and came to be known as a life saver. This Mantra brings happiness, peace and calmness in the mind of a chanter.
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is fondly called the ‘Mantra of Liberation’. Also believed to guide the soul toward immortality and eternal peace, transcending the cycle of birth and death, This Mantra is also called Moksha Mantra where one can connect with the highest supreme with the help of this Mantra and can be chanted anywhere anytime. But at the time of Japa, the focus should be on the Mantra and Lord Shiva. The individual should feel the vibration and sound of the Mantra to reap the fruits of the Mantra chanted. Recite the Mantra 3 times or 9 times and for best results 108 times. Rudraksha mala is the most beneficial for chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times, as Rudraksha represents Lord Shiva himself and there is no better way to chant the Mantra. The efficiency and significance of a Mantra depend, to a large degree, on the level of consciousness of the practitioner, called Mantrin, who uses it. On the other hand, the intrinsic value of a Mantra lies mainly in its vibration quality, not in any psychological meaning that humans, society, culture, or civilization has placed on it.
Please chant this Mantra whenever, wherever possible as everyone is fighting one or other problem in daily life. Do it for yourself, your family and your friends. There is no limitation on age, gender, caste or creed. Regular chanting a mantra is the most powerful way to connect with the Supreme Being and seek His blessings!
OM NAMAH SHIVA!
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