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Mantra · Rigveda 7.59.12

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: meaning, Sanskrit lyrics and how to chant

The great prayer to Shiva as the conqueror of death. Its central image is gentle and surprising: a ripe fruit, released naturally from its vine.

Verses checked against the source texts · Drafted with AI help and reviewed before publishing · Last reviewed 2026-11-12 · How we write

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

oṁ tryambakaṁ yajāmahe
sugandhiṁ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān
mṛtyor mukṣīya mā’mṛtāt

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Rigveda 7.59.12

Meaning

We worship Tryambaka, the three-eyed Lord, who is fragrant and who increases nourishment in all beings. As a ripe cucumber is released from its stem, may we be released from the bondage of death — but never from immortality.

The prayer doesn’t ask to escape life. It asks to ripen — so that when the time comes, letting go happens as naturally as a ripe fruit leaving the vine.

हिंदी में अर्थ

हम तीन नेत्रों वाले भगवान शिव की उपासना करते हैं, जो सुगंधित हैं और सबका पोषण बढ़ाते हैं। जैसे पकी हुई ककड़ी अपनी बेल से सहज ही अलग हो जाती है, वैसे ही हम मृत्यु के बंधन से मुक्त हों — अमरत्व से नहीं।

Word by word

त्र्यम्बकम् · tryambakamthe three-eyed one (Shiva)
यजामहे · yajāmahewe worship
सुगन्धिम् · sugandhimfragrant
पुष्टिवर्धनम् · puṣṭi-vardhanamwho increases nourishment and strength
उर्वारुकम् इव · urvārukam ivalike a cucumber or melon
बन्धनात् · bandhanātfrom its bond, the vine
मृत्योः · mṛtyoḥfrom death
मुक्षीय · mukṣīyamay I be freed
मा अमृतात् · mā amṛtātbut not from immortality

Where it comes from

The mantra is Rigveda 7.59.12, in the seventh book, whose hymns are associated with the sage Vasishtha. It also appears in the Yajurveda. It is addressed to Tryambaka — Rudra, the form of Shiva who, in later tradition, is called Mṛtyuñjaya, the conqueror of death.

When people chant it

In hard timesMany families chant it when someone is unwell or when fear is heavy. It is a prayer for strength and courage.
On Shiva’s daysIt is especially chanted on Mondays, in the month of Shravan, and through the night of Maha Shivaratri.
Every dayAs a daily prayer, it is a quiet reminder to live in a way that ripens you — so that nothing has to be torn away.

The mantra is a prayer, not a treatment. If you or someone you love is unwell, please keep following your doctor’s advice; prayer goes alongside care.

How to chant

  1. Sit quietly.Morning is traditional, but any calm time works. Light a lamp if you like.
  2. Chant slowly and clearly.Let each line finish before the next begins. Many people use a rudraksha mala.
  3. Keep a count.11 or 108 repetitions are common. One sincere recitation is better than many hurried ones.
  4. Hold the image.As you chant, picture the ripe fruit falling gently from the vine — release without struggle.

Questions people ask

What is the meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?

We worship the three-eyed Lord who nourishes all; as a ripe cucumber is freed from its vine, may we be freed from death, not from immortality.

Where is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra from?

It is Rigveda 7.59.12 and also appears in the Yajurveda. The seventh book of the Rigveda is associated with the sage Vasishtha.

How many times should I chant it?

11 or 108 times is common, often with a rudraksha mala. Regular, sincere chanting matters more than the count.