mahāmṛtyuñjaya stotram

Salutations to Lord Ganesha. Om. For the mantra of this great Mrityunjaya Stotram, the sage is Markandeya, the meter is Anushtup, the deity is Sri Mrityunjaya (Shiva), the power (Shakti) is Gauri. Its recitation is undertaken for the pacification of all afflictions and all types of untimely death, and for the attainment of all prosperity.

Now, the meditation: I meditate upon Mrityunjaya, the conqueror of death, the Lord of all souls (Pashupati), whose three eyes are the moon, sun, and fire, who has a smiling face, who is seated on a pair of lotuses, whose hands shine with a mudra, a noose, a deer, and a rosary of Rudraksha, whose radiance is like that of the moon, whose body is bathed in nectar flowing from millions of moons, who is radiant with garlands and other ornaments, who is beautiful, and who enchants the whole universe.

Now, the stotram: Om. I bow my head to Lord Rudra, the Lord of all beings, the immovable one, the blue-throated one, the Lord of Uma. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the blue-throated God, who is the embodiment of time, who knows time, and who is the destroyer of time (death). What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the blue-throated God, the one with unusual eyes (three eyes), the pure one, and the one who provides refuge. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to Vamadeva, the great God (Mahadeva), the Lord of the worlds, and the Guru of the universe. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God of gods, the Lord of the universe, the Lord of the deities, and the one whose flag bears the bull. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the great God who holds the river Ganga, and who is adorned with all ornaments. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the three-eyed God, the four-armed one, the peaceful one, who wears a crown of matted hair. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God whose entire body is smeared with ash, and who is adorned with ornaments of serpents. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the infinite, imperishable, peaceful Lord Hara, who wears a rosary of Rudraksha beads. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God who is supreme bliss, eternal, and who grants the state of ultimate liberation (Kaivalya). What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God who is half-woman and half-man (Ardhanarishwara), the Lord of Parvati's life. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the Supreme Lord who is the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer (of the universe), and who is the primeval creator. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God whose hair is the sky (Vyomakesha), who has unusual eyes, and whose head is adorned with the half-moon. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God who holds the river Ganga, who bears the moon, who is Shankara (the doer of good), and who holds the trident in His hand. What can death do to us?

I am helpless; O Supreme Infinite One, O guide to the state of ultimate liberation! I bow my head to the God. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the God who grants heaven and liberation, and who is the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction. What can death do to us?

Grant me a lifespan of an aeon (Kalpa), merit, and freedom from disease for as long as I live. I bow my head to the God. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to Shiva, Ishana, Mahadeva, Vamadeva, and Sadashiva. What can death do to us?

I bow my head to the Supreme Lord, the Guru, who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer. What can death do to us?

Phalashruti - Whoever reads this stotram composed by Markandeya in the presence of Lord Shiva, has no fear of death, nor any fear of fire or thieves anywhere.

During times of crisis, one should recite this one hundred times to destroy hardships. One should read this stotram after becoming pure; it grants all perfections (siddhis).

O Mrityunjaya (Conqueror of Death), O Mahadeva (Great God), save me, who has come to your refuge, afflicted by birth, death, old age, disease, and the bonds of karma.

O Mrida (Compassionate One), I am Yours, my life is devoted to You, and my mind is always fixed on You. Having thus submitted to the Lord of gods, one should chant the mantra known as Tryambaka.

Salutations to Shiva along with Amba (Parvati), the destroyer of sins, the Supreme Soul. Salutations to the Lord of Yogis, who destroys the afflictions of those who bow down to Him.

Shatangayur Mantra - Om Hreem Shreem Hreem Hraim Hrah. Strike, strike, burn, burn, cook, cook, seize, seize, kill, kill, crush, crush, O Great Maha-Bhairava in the form of Bhairava. Shake, shake, make tremble, make tremble, obstruct, obstruct, O Lord of the Universe (Vishveshwara). Agitate, agitate, cut, cut, delude, delude, Hum Phat Svaha! By merely reciting this mantra, all desires are fulfilled.