By Sanjay Rath

THE MAHAMANTRA

This Mahamrutunjaya 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. I will advise its recitation for forty days both in the morning and evening, 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 Mahamrutunjaya mantra recite the following small prayer to the everlasting spirit of the Maharishi for his blessings and guidance.

• OM SUCHIRMARKAIR BRIHASPATIM ADHVARESHU NAMASYATAH (21 Times)

We pray to Brihaspati (the Lord of this Universe and the teacher of this Vedic Knowledge), whose wishes are inviolable, for good thoughts (that will lead to good speech and actions that cannot be violated as it will be the truth).

• VYAM VASHISHTHAYA NAMAH (21 Times)

This is the prayer to Maharishi Vashistha (whose Holy Spirit is Omnipresent).

• The initiated should practice the Pranayama ten times with the Beejakshara Mantra "OM HOUM JUM SAH". Others can skip this and go to the Maha-mantra directly.

• This is to be followed by the Dhyana Mantra (Meditation) of Sri Tryambakeswara (One of the twelve Jyotirlinga) and then meditate on Sri Tryambakeshwara (Lord Shiva) and Sri Amriteshwari (Gouri or Parvati Shakti) with the relevant beejakshara and Rudra Pooja. Meditate for at least 15 Minutes before starting the Japa (Recitation of Mantra). Those conversant with TM or other forms of meditation can use the following mantra : "OM HOUM JUM SAH"

• Then repeat the following Mahamrutunjaya mantra 108 times or multiples of this number. The Mahamrutunjaya Mantra reads: OM TRYAMBAKKAM YAJAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSTIVARDHANAM URVAROOKAMEVA BANDANAAN MRITYORMOKSHEEYA MAAMRITAAT.

UNDERSTAND THE MAHAMANTRA

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.

• PUSTIVARDHANAM: 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.

• URVAAROKAMEVA: '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, but not apt for this mantra). 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).

• BANDANAAM 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.

"Gautam Sarkar" <gsarkar@pacbell.net> wrote:

OM GAM

Dear Rathbabu,

I have personal experience of the effectiveness of this powerful Mantra. In the Ashram of my Guru, a gentleman who was working on the roof touched high-tension cables with his tools. I was sure that he would not survive this ordeal. We recited the Mahamrutunjaya Mantra for him for 4 hours, and he survived, minus some toes. (Of course, he was doing Yoga for a long time and his Guru-kripa was very strong.) A mantra to be effective should be pronounced correctly, and its meaning should be kept in mind, call me if you need any help. (209) 472-1723. Love and Peace,

Gautam Sarkar


Jai Maharaj, A Vedic Astrologer writes: (E-mail:jai@mantra.com )
OM
Pranaam, Gautam Sarkar and Sanjay Rath ji:

I trust this finds both of you in the best of circumstances.

In my practice of over four decades, I attest, the Mriyunjaya Mantram has been of great value not only among my extended family members in U.P., Rajasthan, Dillee and abroad, but also incuring and save the lives of many clients and Jyotish colleagues.

Jai Maharaj

A recent case:

Dear Maharajji & Gautamji,
    The Mahamrutunjaya Mantra is also called the Sanjivani Mantra and if used properly can cure the most impossible of diseases. Last year the doctors had given one brother of my Joint Secretary time till December...he has terminal Cancer. The Mrutunjaya has kept him alive till now. I know for sure that this is the best mantra for good health.

Hare Krishna,
Sanjay Rath

If you have any experience related to this mantra do e-mail me a few lines.

PICTURE SHOWS A SHIVALINGA : THE CONCEPT OF HIRANYAGARBHA (THE GOLDEN EMBRYO) THAT IS THE CAUSE OF ALL CREATION.