Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Aum Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam |
Urva - rukamiva Bandhanan
Mrtyor - muksheeya Maamritat ||

OM. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is naturally fragrant, immensely merciful and who is the Protector of the devotees. Worshiping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk i.e. “By your Grace, Let me be in the state of salvation (Moksha) and be saved from the clutches of fearful death and calamities”.

Word-by-word meaning of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:-

ॐ aum = is a sacred/mystical syllable in Sanatan Dharma or hindu religions
त्र्यम्बकम् tryambakam = the three-eyed one
त्रि + अम्बकम् = tri + ambakam = three + eye
यजामहे yajāmahe = We worship, adore, honour, revere
सुगन्धिम् sugandhim = sweet smelling, fragrant
पुष्टि puṣṭi = A well-nourished condition, thriving, prosperous, fullness of life,
वर्धनम् vardhanam = One who nourishes, strengthens, causes to increase in health, wealth, well-being
पुष्टि-वर्धनम् = puṣṭi+vardhanam = पुष्टि: वर्धते अनेन तत् = puṣṭiḥ vardhate anena tat = The one who nourishes someone else and gives his life fullness.
उर्वारुकमिव urvārukam-iva = like the cucumber or melon ; or like a big peach.
बन्धनान् bandhanān = "from captivity"
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय mṛtyormukṣīya = Free, liberate From death
मृत्यु: + मुक्षीय = mṛtyoḥ + mukṣīya= from death + free
मा ∫ मृतात् mā ∫ mṛtāt can be translated in a number of different ways:
1) मा + अमृतात् = mā + amṛtāt = not + immortality, nectar
Translation would be: (Free me from death but) not from immortality.
2) मा (माम) + अमृतात् = mā (short form of mām) + amṛtāt = myself + immortality
Translation would be: Give me some life rejuvenating nectar
3) मा (माम) + अमृतात् = mā (short form of mām) + amṛtāt = myself + sure, definitely
Translation would be: Free me from certain death.