Lord Shiva
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a Vedic prayer to Lord Shiva, chanted for good health, protection and peace. It is often chanted when someone in the family is unwell or facing a difficult time.
- Source
- Rigveda (7.59.12)
- Language
- Sanskrit
- Traditional times
- Mondays, Shravan and Mahashivratri
- Common practice
- 108 repetitions with a mala
About the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The mantra is found in the Rigveda and is addressed to Lord Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed one. Families chant it on Mondays, in Shravan and on Mahashivratri, and it is a central part of many Shiva rituals.
Meaning
The mantra praises the three-eyed Lord Shiva, the one who nourishes all beings. It asks to be freed from the fear of death, like a ripe cucumber that is released from its vine, and to be held in a state of lasting well-being.
Full text
Source: Rigveda 7.59.12 (Vedic mantra); text to be checked by a pandit
When to recite
- Mondays, Shravan, Pradosh days and Mahashivratri.
- When the family wants to pray for the health and protection of a loved one.
How to recite at home
- Sit calmly before a Shivling or a picture of Lord Shiva with a lit diya.
- Many people chant 108 times with a mala. Rules vary by tradition, so follow what your family or guru teaches.
- Chant with correct pronunciation, and learn it from a guru or a trusted recording first if you are unsure.
Customs differ by region and family. Follow what your own family or guru teaches.
Traditional belief
- Traditionally chanted to seek Lord Shiva's protection and peace of mind.
- A comfort for families in anxious times.
A Shiva ritual at your home
Book pandits for a Laghu Rudra Yagna with abhishek and a havan, in your language.
Frequently asked questions
Does chanting it cure illness?
It is a spiritual practice, not medical treatment. Families chant it for strength and peace, alongside proper medical care, never in place of it.
How many times is it chanted?
Many people chant it 108 times with a mala. Some families do larger counts in a ritual with pandits.
Is there a ritual built around this mantra?
Yes. Rudrabhishek and Laghu Rudra are Shiva rituals where pandits chant Vedic hymns, and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is often chanted along with them.