Mrityunjaya (Bija) mantra!!! All Yoga Mantram!!!

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Mrityunjaya (Bija) mantra

The Bija mantra is given by Kahola Rishi;

The mantra is in Gayatri channdah; The mantra devata (deity) is Sri

Mrityunjaya (form of Shiva). This mantra is to be used for meditation

and at all times for protection from all evils.

 

Introduction

There are many mantra for warding off evils like death and other

suffering given in the sacred literature of the Hindu's. These mantra

are of various types but the Mrityunjaya mantra has been extolled in

sacred literature as being the best. This mantra is addressed to Lord

Shiva and is taught in the Rig Veda (7 mandala 59 Chapter) as well as

the Yajur Veda (3-60) showing that it is a Sruti having been received

by Maharishi Vasistha, the Kula Guru of Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra.

This Maha-mrityunjaya mantra is from the Rig-Veda (7th Book or

Mandala, 59 Chapter) and needs initiation for attaining siddhi.

Anybody can recite this mantra and attain good health, release from

bondage and other problems. This is the greatest panacea for all

evils and can be recited at any time like any other Maha-mantra.

 

Rishi-adi Nyasa

The preparatory rites should be learnt from any book on

Karma-kanda (pooja method). However we give the simplest method of

reciting this mantra to overcome the greatest of evils. Nyasa

is the method of protecting the self by placing the parts of the

mantra on five body parts. These body parts are the crucial centers

for the spiritual energy.

Rishi (Guru/teacher of the mantra) - siras (head). In this

case the Rishi is Maharishi Vasistha.

 

Channdah (meter, which is technically very specific for each

mantra) - mukha (mouth). This vedic mantra is in Anusthuba

channdah. This is a meter having four pada (feet) of 8

phonemes each making the entire Anusthub metre as composed of 32 (8

x 4 = 32) syllables. It maybe noted that any change in the metre

shall cause a distortion in the channdah and the mantra vibration

shall be ruined.

Devata (the deity of the mantra) - hridaya (heart). In this

case the devata is Lord Shiva addressed as "Sri

Mrityunjaya Tryambakeshwara devata", the Jyotirlinga.

 

Biija (the seed syllable that created the mantra and contains

the mantra within itself, like the seed that creates the tree) -

Liinga (sexual organ). There are some opinion on this, but the most

appropriate one is given by Kahola Rishi as "haum".

 

Shakti (the physical power of the mantra like the mother) -

pada (feet). It is the giver of gati or direction. In this case the

shakti is Devi Amriteswari, addressed as 'hriim'.

 

 

 

 

The Rishi of a mantra is the Guru and is seated on the head i.e.

unless the Rishi sits on the head, the mantra will not fructify and

repetition would be quite fruitless. Sometimes due to past good

karma, if this prayer to the Rishi is not done, in his compassion,

the universal spirit of the Rishi still comes to save and guide.

Worship Maharishi Vasistha with the following mantra -

 

 

Sukracharya's Penance & teaching

Jyotish teaching

The Mahamrityunjaya mantra was taught by Lord Shiva to Sukracharya

the preceptor of the demons after he succeeded in the impossible test

of hanging upside down from a tree for twenty years (Vimsottari dasa

period) with smoke blowing into him from a fire lit beneath. Even

Brihaspati was shocked at the prospect of such a terrible penance and

calmly settled to observe Sukracharya accept the challenge of Indra

and succeed.

Tapaswi Yoga definition: Since

Sukracharya (Venus in astrology) passed the penance he was

glorified as the Tapaswi Raja (the king of the spiritual discipline

and penance). The definition of Tapaswi Yoga comes from this penance

as Saturn (punishment, hard toil), Ketu (smoke blown into the nose

and other forms of self inflicted torture) and Venus (desire and its

renunciation) must come together to define the personal ability of

the Tapaswi.

After the penance Lord Shiva taught the Mahamrityunjaya mantra to

Sukracharya, who under very compelling circumstances had to teach

this to the son of Brihaspati and that is how the devas also got the

mantra. This mantra was given (sruti) to Vasistha Maharishi for the

welfare of this world. The mantra and explanation given by

Sukracharya to Rishi Dadhicha when the latter's body was cut and

thrown by Raja Kshuva is recorded in the Shiva Purana.

Sukracharya said "O! Dadhicha, I pray to Lord Shiva and give

you the upadesa (advise/wisdom/teaching) of the highest Maha

Mrityunjaya mantra." The mantra is in Anusthub Channdah and

accordingly, is divided into four padas composed of eight syllables

each.

Sukracharya said "The first pada is

and means - we worship or sing the praise of Lord Trayambaka.

Tryambaka is the name of Lord Shiva as the father of the three worlds

- bhu, bhuva and svarga lokas. He is the father and lord of the three

mandala's - Surya, Soma and Agni mandala. He is Maheswara, the lord

of the three Guna's - Satva, Rajas and Tamas. He is the Sadashiva,

the teacher of the three tatvas - Atma tatva, Vidya tatva and Shiva

tatva. He is the father (cause and source) of the three energies

(agni) - Aavahaniya, Garhapatya and Dakshinagni. He is the father of

all physical creation through the three murti bhuta - Prithvi

(solid), Jala (liquid) and Tejas or agni (energy). He is the lord of

the three heavens created by the dominance of the three Gunas - Rajas

(Brahma), Satva (Vishnu) and Tamas (Shiva). Know Him to be the

nirakara (formless) Sadashiva as He is above this physical mode and

is their Maheswara. This is the first foot of the mantra (composed of

eight syllables)."

"The second pada of the mantra," continued Sukracharya,

"is .

Sugandhim refers to the fragrance of the flower that spreads

in all directions, and in a similar way Shiva is present in the

entire creation, both animate and inanimate. In all the bhutas

(modes of existence), in the three Gunas (nature of creation as being

Satva, Rajas or Tamas), in the ten indriyas (five gyana-indriyas or

senses and five karma-indriyas or organs of action), in all the devas

(33 devas are the source of all illumination and enlightenment) and

the ganas (hosts of demi-gods), Shiva exists and pervades as

the illumine atma (soul) and is their essence. Pustivardhanam

is now being explained. That inward dwelling spirit (atman), the

Purusha Shiva is the real sustainer of Prakriti (and not vice-versa

as all people perceive). Starting with the mahatatva (primordial

state of matter/energy) to the individual parts of creation, the

entire sustenance of the physically created beings (both animate and

inanimate) is done by the imperishable Purusha. You, I, Brahma,

Vishnu, the Munis and even Indra & devas are maintained/sustained

(by the atma and that is Him). Since the Purusha (atma - Shiva) is

the granter of sustenance to prakriti (body/nature), he is

'Pusti-vardhana'."

Having explained the first two pada of the mantra, Sukracharya

continued to explain the remaining two pada. He said " the next

two pada (consisting of sixteen syllables) is

meaning - Prabhu! just as the ripe cucumber is severed from the

bondage of the creeper, in the same manner may we be delivered from

death for the sake of immortality (moksha). Rudra deva is like amrita

(nectar of immortality). Those who worship Him with good karma,

penance and repentance, meditation, contemplation, prayer or praise,

will surely renewed life and vigor. The strength of truth force (in

this mantra) is such that Lord Shiva shall definitely free the

worshipper from the bondage of death because Shiva alone is the giver

of bondage and moksha.

This is the Mritasanjivani mantra and has the power to give back

life and rescue from death and great evils. You should adore Lord

Shiva and recite this mantra. Water sanctified with this mantra

should be drunk all the time. [Authors note: It is well known that

the rudraksha bead is placed in a glass of water after being held in

the palm during the recitation of the mantra. this water is drunk

during the day.]

Oblations in the sacrificial fire with this mantra is very

purifying. Now I shall teach the dhyana for the mantra."

Saying so, Sukracharya started reciting the shlokas for meditating on

Lord Shiva.

Maha Mrityunjaya mantra (a.k.a Mrita sanjivani mantra)

 

 

Dhyana

The dhyana taught by Sukracharya (Shiva Purana) is given below.

There are other dhyana given in other texts and these are being

quoted to the extent necessary for education.

 

 

Translation: We praise (meditate/remember) on the eight

armed, three eyed (Sun, Moon & Agni as the right, left and third

eye respectively) Lord Mrityunjaya. He sits cross legged on a lotus

(padmasana). He holds two Kumbha (water vessels) with

two lower arms and uses two upper arms to sprinkle water on His own

head. Two other lower arms hold the auspicious Kalash (pot

containing water from five rivers etc) on the center of the legs. The

remaining two hands are with Rudraksha and Mriga mudra (yogic

postures). The amrita (nectar) dripping from the crescent moon on His

head has made His whole body wet. The daughter of the mountain king

(Himavat ~ Himalaya) sits next to Him.

Another dhyana

 

 

Number of repetitions

Based on the teachings of Sri Harihara in Prasna Marga, we advise

that this mantra should be recited for 8000 times in a period of

forty days. The recitation of 108 mantra for forty days both in

the morning and evening covers this requirement. For other purposes

larger number of repetitions are advised.

After lighting a lamp and sitting in any yogic posture (preferably

Padmasana which is the picture of Lord Shiva in the picture) while

facing east. Recite the Maha-mantra 108 times (one rosary) or its

multiples in each sitting. This is the greatest work of Maharishi

Vashistha. Before commencing the Mahamrityunjaya mantra recite the

mantra to the everlasting spirit of the Maharishi Vasistha for his

blessings and guidance.

Thereafter, perform Rudrabhishek (Ritual offering of the

Panca-Amrita or the five forms of nectar as Honey, Ghee, Curd, Milk

and Water) on the Shivalinga. The picture of a Shivalinga is shown

below.

Understanding the

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

It is important to understand the

meaning of the words as this makes the repetition meaningful and

brings forth the results.

OM is not spelt out in the

Rig-Veda, but has to be added to the beginning of all Mantras as

given in an earlier Mantra of the Rig-Veda addressed to Ganapati.

This Mantra is given in the prayer page of my Book "Maharishi

Jaimini's Upadesa Sutra".

TRYAMBAKKAM refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva.

'Trya' means 'Three' and 'Ambakam' means eyes. These three eyes or

sources of enlightenment are the Trimurti or three primary deities,

namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the three 'AMBA' (also meaning

Mother or Shakti' are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Gouri. Thus in this

word, we are referring to God as Omniscient (Brahma), Omnipresent

(Vishnu) and Omnipotent (Shiva). This is the wisdom of Brihaspati

and is referred to as Sri Duttatreya having three heads of Brahma,

Vishnu and Shiva.

YAJAMAHE means, "We sing Thy praise".

SUGANDHIM refers to His

fragrance (of knowledge, presence and strength i.e. three aspects)

as being the best and always spreading around. Fragrance refers to

the joy that we get on knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous

deeds.

PUSHTIVARDHANAM: Pooshan

refers to Him as the sustainer of this world and in this manner, He

is the Father (Pater) of all. Pooshan is also the inner impeller of

all knowledge and is thus Savitur or the Sun and also symbolizes

Brahma the Omniscient Creator. In this manner He is also the Father

(Genitor) of all.

URVAAROOKAMEVA: 'URVA' means

"VISHAL" or big and powerful or deadly. 'AAROOKAM' means

'Disease'. Thus URVAROOKA means deadly and overpowering diseases.

(The CUCUMBER interpretation given in various places is also correct

for the word URVAROOKAM). The diseases are also of three kinds

caused by the influence (in the negative) of the three Guna's and

are ignorance (Avidya etc), falsehood (Asat etc as even though

Vishnu is everywhere, we fail to perceive Him and are guided by our

sight and other senses) and weaknesses (Shadripu etc. a constraint

of this physical body and Shiva is all powerful).

BANDANAAN means bound down.

Thus read with URVAROOKAMEVA, it means 'I am bound down by deadly

and overpowering diseases'.

MRITYORMOOKSHEYA means to

deliver us from death (both premature death in this Physical world

and from the neverending cycle of deaths due to re-birth) for the

sake of Mokshya (Nirvana or final emancipation from re-birth).

MAAMRITAAT means 'please give me some Amritam (life

rejuvinating nectar). Read with the previous word, it means that we

are praying for some 'Amrit' to get out of the death inflicting

diseases as well as the cycle of re-birth.

Svaahaa!