Mrityunjaya Stotram
The Mrityunjaya Stotram is one of the most revered and powerful hymns in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity associated with destruction, transformation, and liberation. Known as the “Conqueror of Death,” the Mrityunjaya Stotram is a devotional composition that invokes Shiva’s divine grace to overcome fear, illness, and the cycle of death and rebirth.
The Mrityunjaya Stotram is rooted in ancient Vedic and Puranic traditions. Its primary inspiration comes from the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, a potent verse found in the Rigveda (Mandala 7, Sukta 59, Verse 12) and later elaborated in texts like the Yajurveda. The mantra, also known as the Tryambakam Mantra, is addressed to Lord Shiva as Tryambaka (the three-eyed one) and is believed to have been revealed to the sage Vashishtha.
The Mrityunjaya Stotram, as a longer hymn, is an extension of this mantra. While the exact authorship of the stotram is not definitively documented, it is traditionally attributed to sage Markandeya, a legendary devotee of Shiva. According to Puranic lore, Markandeya was destined to die at a young age, but through his intense devotion and recitation of Shiva’s mantras, he was granted immortality by the deity. This story underscores the stotram’s association with overcoming death and attaining divine protection.
The stotram is also linked to later texts like the Shiva Purana and Linga Purana, which emphasize Shiva’s role as the ultimate healer and liberator. Over centuries, the hymn has been passed down through oral traditions, temple practices, and scriptural compilations, cementing its place in Hindu worship.
॥ Shiva Mrityunjaya Stotram ॥
Ratnasanusharasanam Rajatadrishrringa-niketanam
Shinjinikrita-pannageshvarama-chyutanalasayakam।
Kshipradagdhapuratrayam Tridashalayaira-bhivanditam
Chandrashekharamashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥1॥
Panchapadapa-pushpagandhipadambu-jadvayashobhitam
Bhalalochana-jatapavaka-dagdhamanmatha-vigraham।
Bhasmadigdha-kalevaram Bhavanashinam Bhavamvyayam
Chandrashekhara-mashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥2॥
Mattavarana-mukhyacharma-kritottariya-manoharam
Pankajasanapadmalochana-pujitangaghri-saroruham।
Devasiddhatarangini-Karasiktashita-jatadharam
Chandrashekharamashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥3॥
Kundalikrita-kundalishvara-kundalam Vrishavahanam
Naradadimuni-shvrastuta-vaibhavam Bhuvaneshvaram।
Andhakantakama-shritamarapadapam Shamanantakam
Chandrashekharamashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥4॥
Yaksharajasakham Bhagakshiharam Bhujangavibhushanam
Shailarajasuta-parishkrita-charuvama-kalevaram।
Kshvedanilagalam Parashvadhadharinam Mrigadharinam
Chandrashekharmashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥5॥
Bheshajam Bhavarogina-makhilapadama-paharinam
Dakshayajnavinashinam Trigunatmakam Trivilochanam।
Bhuktimukti-phalapradam Nikhila-ghasanghani-barhanam
Chandrashekharmashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥6॥
Bhaktavatsalamarchatam Nidhimakshayam Haridambaram
Sarvabhutapatim Paratparama-prameya-manupamam।
Bhumivarina-bhohutashana-somapalita-svakritim
Chandrashekharamashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥7॥
Vishvasrishti-vidhayinam Punareva Palanatatparam
Samharantamatha Prapanchama-sheshaloka-nivasinam।
Kridayantamaharnisham Gananatha-yuthasamavratam
Chandrashekharamashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah॥8॥
Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum Nilakantha-mumapatim।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥9॥
Kalakantham Kalamurtim Kalagrima Klanashanam।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥10॥
Nilakantham Virupaksham Nirmalam Nirupadravam।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥11॥
Vamadevam Mahadevam Lokanatham Jagadgurum।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥12॥
Devadevam Jagannatham Deveshamrisha-bhadhvajam।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥13॥
Anantamavyayam Shantamakshamaladharam Haram।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥14॥
Anandam Paramam Nityam Kaivalya-padakaranam।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥15॥
Svargapavarga-dataram Srishti-sthityanta-karinam।
Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityu Karishyati॥16॥
॥ Iti Shripadamapuranatagarta Uttarakhande Shrimrityunjaya Stotram Sampurnam ॥
Benefits of Chanting the Mrityunjaya Stotram
Chanting or listening to the Mrityunjaya Stotram is believed to confer numerous benefits, both spiritual and practical. These benefits are derived from the hymn’s vibrational energy, devotional intent, and the grace of Lord Shiva. Some commonly cited benefits include:
- Physical Health: The stotram is often chanted during illnesses to promote recovery and vitality. It is particularly recommended for chronic ailments or life-threatening conditions.
- Mental Peace: The rhythmic recitation calms the mind, reduces stress, and alleviates anxiety, fostering a sense of inner tranquility.
- Protection from Danger: Devotees believe the stotram wards off accidents, misfortunes, and malevolent forces.
- Karmic Purification: Regular chanting is said to cleanse negative karma, paving the way for spiritual growth.
- Enhanced Focus: The meditative quality of the stotram improves concentration and devotion, making it a valuable practice for yogis and spiritual seekers.
To maximize these benefits, traditional guidelines suggest chanting the stotram with sincerity, preferably during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours) or on auspicious days like Mondays, Maha Shivaratri, or during the month of Shravan.
Rituals and Practices
The Mrityunjaya Stotram is often incorporated into various rituals and spiritual practices. Some common methods of recitation include:
- Individual Chanting: Devotees recite the stotram at home or in temples, often 108 times (a sacred number in Hinduism) using a rudraksha mala (prayer beads).
- Homa (Fire Ritual): The stotram is chanted during Maha Mrityunjaya Homa, a Vedic fire ceremony where offerings are made to invoke Shiva’s blessings for health and protection.
- Group Chanting: In temples or spiritual gatherings, the stotram is recited collectively to amplify its energy and create a communal atmosphere of devotion.
- Japa Meditation: The stotram is used as a focal point for meditation, with devotees repeating specific verses to deepen their connection with Shiva.
Traditional practices also recommend maintaining purity during recitation, such as bathing beforehand, wearing clean clothes, and sitting in a quiet, sacred space facing east or north.
