The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (Sanskrit: महामृत्युंजयमंत्र, महामृत्युञ्जयमन्त्र, romanized: mahāmṛtyuṃjaya-mantra, mahāmṛtyuñjaya-mantra, lit. 'Great death-defeating mantra'), also known as the Rudra MantraorTryambakam Mantra, is a verse (ṛc) of the Rigveda (RV 7.59.12). The ṛc is addressed to Tryambaka, "The Three-eyed One", an epithet of Rudra who is identified with ShivainShaivism. The verse also recurs in the Yajurveda (TS 1.8.6;[1][2][3] VS 3.60[4]).
The mantra first appears in Rigveda 7.59.12, which is a composite hymn attributed to Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi. The last four verses (in which the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is found) are late additions to the hymn, and they make references to the Sākamedha, the last of the four-monthly rituals. The Sākamedha ends with an oblation to Rudra Tryambaka, which is why the last verse of the four is addressed to Tryambaka.[7]
Hindus believe the mantra is beneficial for mental, emotional, and physical health and consider it a moksha mantra which bestows longevity and immortality.[8]
It is chanted while smearing vibhuti over various parts of the body and utilised in japa (mantra repetition) or homa (religious offering ceremony).
