MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA...&...ITS MEANING

• MAHA SIVRATHRI....AUM NAMASIVAYA

  
  
  

  
  

  MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA...&...ITS MEANING

  Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam
  Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat॥

  
  

  Meaning........

  
  

  We concentrate on our third eye which lies behind the two eyes and this gives us the power to feel you and by this we feel happy, satisfied and peace in life. We know immortality is not possible but some extension can be given to our death by your powers Lord Shiva.

  
  

  It is popularly referred to as the heart of the Vedas. In times of distress and failure, the maha mrityunjaya mantra is said to uplift people from the trap of failure and rejuvenate them to think about the purpose of their life. It is said to be a healing force that works throughout the world. Maha” which means Great , “Mrityun” means Death and “Jaya” mean Victory which turns into Conquer or victory over death. It is also known as “Rudra Mantra” or “Trayambakam Mantra”. Rudra refers to Lord Shiva.

  
  

  
  

  Maha Shivratri ..........is one of the main festivals to be celebrated in India. Some of its neighboring countries to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. This is celebrated in each Luni-solar month which falls on the 13th or 14th day as per the Hindu Panchang or calendar. This monthly Shivaratri is adored in temples by the priests and irrespective of that the term Maha Shivratri has its own importance. Maha Shivratri is celebrated once in the year which occurs in late winter and before the arrival of summer. Mythologically this auspicious festival falls on the fourth moonless night of new moon during Krishna paksha in the Maagh or Phalgun masa of Hindu Panchang, which corresponds to February or March as per the English calendar.

  
  

  
  

  Meaning of the Shivratri....

  
  

  Maha Shivratri got its name from the Sanskrit word.... Maha which means great..... Shiva is our deity and Ratri means night. It is also known as the Great Night of Shiva when we offer our prayers to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva remains in every one of us, he is the only spirit in us and on this day we offer thanks to him to protect us. We offer our gratitude to him for giving us this precious life and providing security.

  
  

  About Shivratri.....

  
  

  Our world is a big home to a total of 195 countries but have we ever thought why India is known as the most traditional and cultural country? The finest answer to this question is our vibrant tradition and culture. Indian culture and its age-old tradition make it different from all over the world. It is a country where people celebrate 365 festivals in 365 days. Many small and big festivals are celebrated here with the same fervor and enthusiasm. Some have their significance in a culture which became a tradition over years and some are directly related to our God, our Deity and when it comes to worshiping God then India is the best place to observe and thrive for the joy. Many such spiritual festivals are there out of which Maha Shivratri is the one having its significance in the history of Gods and Asurs.

  
  

  This is a festival in which we pray and offer our gratitude to Lord Shiva, and it is widely celebrated in the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism. Shiva more than being a God is always been thought of as Adi Guru, who was the initiator of knowledge and conscience. He is the ultimate divine in himself and as per Hindu Mythology, he is the truth, peace, simplicity, and everything in this world. This world starts with him and ends with him. He is assumed to be very aggressive by nature, and it is believed that normally his aura and appearance are not handled by we humans. So he comes to earth once a year and that is on the night of Maha Shivratri when he is assumed to be in his pure and simple forms and humans can watch him without getting destroyed by his presence. This is the only reason that Shiva is worshiped on this day for the whole night starting from 10 pm till morning at 4 am.

  
  

  Different Indian states celebrate this festival in their way and customs in which “Ujjain” in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh holds a special significance. A temple called “Mahakaleshwar” grandly holds the puja of Shivratri and this temple is assumed to be the residence of Lord Shiva.

  
  

  Like Ujjain, all other states also hold the puja in their way and with different names and cultures, Umananda temple in Assam’s capital Guwahati is another example. Many married women worship Shiva for a long life of their husbands whereas unmarried girls pray to get a husband like Lord Shiva. Not only women but men also pray to God on this day. In India its a tradition to keep fast on this day for 24 hours as per their convenience. Some keep Nirjala (without water) Vratam and some have fruits and other sweetened juices.

  
  

  Nataraja........

  
  

  Maha Shivratri is also associated to dance and other art forms and has a special connection with ‘Nataraj’. Lord Shiva is also worshiped in the name of Nataraja. Natraja is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It has its meaning in Sanskrit where ‘Nata’ means ‘dance’ and ‘Raja’ means ‘king’. As per the historical evidence the dance performed by Nataraja is also said as “Ananda Tandava” and “Rudra Tandav”. The Nataraja is surrounded by a Circe of fire representing our universe where all four hands of Nataraja are on the ring of fire.

  
  

  Nataraja Idol......

  
  

  Each of the hands is significant in the prospect of mankind. The upper right-hand holds “Damru” which represents prehistoric sounds of creation of life on Earth and time elapsing and lower right hand is in “Abhaya Mudra” which is a symbol of righteousness and shows the correct path to humankind. The upper left hand has a flame as a symbol of destruction and the lower left hand is pointing towards his feet in “Gaja hasta mudra” and represents emancipation.

  
  

  In respect of Lord Nataraja, many cultural events are organized on the day of Maha Shivaratri in which some of them are very prominent at major Hindu temples like Konark, Khajuraho, Kattadakal and many more. These dance and art forms are known as “Natyanjali or Natya Shastra”. The organization of dance and art-related functions have special significance on Maha Shivratri.

  
  

  History .....

  
  

  Shivratri festival has its history in many Hindu holy books like Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, and Padma Purana. It has many historic instances associated with the name of Shiva and Parvathi. It's said that on this auspicious day Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathy married after a long Tapasya of Devi Sati of whom Devi Parvathy was the incarnation.

  
  

  As per another mythological instance, on this day a great historical event of“Samudra Manthan”took place when a pot full of poison also churned out. To protect the earth from the ill effects of poison Lord Shiva drank that poison risking his own life. All Gods and Goddesses performed dance and other rituals to keep Lord Shiva awake for the whole night. This incident didn’t harm Shiva but his neck turned blue and from that day he is known as“Neelkantha”.

  
  

  In one of them, another incident on the day of Maha Shivratri Lord Shiva performed the “Rudra Tandav”. As per the events, once Sati’s father Daksh did a Mahayagya in which he did not invite Lord Shiva and his wife Sati, but being a daughter of Daksh, when Devi Sati and Lord Shiva reached Daksh’s place, he insulted them. Out of anger, Devi Sati burnt herself in self atonement. This incident broke Lord Shiva and out of anger, he carried Devi Sati’s dead body on his body and started doing “Rudra Tandava” which caused huge destruction’s in the universe. The Tandava dance of Lord Shiva has five meanings which show his characteristic to the world.

  
  

  Shrishti - Creator.

  
  

  Sthiti - Position and Support.

  
  

  Anugraha - Emancipation.

  
  

  Tirobhava - Delusion.

  
  

  Samhara - Destruction

  
  

  The music on which Lord Shiva danced was called “Tandava Stotram” recited first by the Ravana himself.

  
  

  Many also say that on this day Lord Shiva took the form of Shivalingam, which is worshiped as a symbol of Lord Shiva all over the world. Many such incidents are still thought to be a reason behind the Shiva festival.

  
  

  
  

  Rudra Abhishek Puja......

  
  

  Rudra is one of the names of Lord Shiva. Rudra Abhishek Puja is normally performed on the Shravana month, naturally, it falls on July-August month. If you do this puja instead of daily puja, there is a more chance of getting blessings from Lord Shiva. Mainly this Rudra Abhishekam is done by six items they are given below.

  
  

  Rudrabhishekam......

  
  

  1. Jalabishekam:...... According to sacred books, if you perform Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva, HE will give you good Virdhti and full fill your wishes.

  
  

  2. Palabhishekam......: If devotee flows milk on the Shivaling, and worshiping of Lord Shiva, that person will get a reward of longevity.

  
  

  3. Shahad Abhishek....... Shahad means honey. If a devotee is devoting the Shivaling with honey, he will live a long life with freedom from all problems, misfortunes. And he will live very happily.

  
  

  4. Panchamrit Abhishek....... Panchamrit contains five elements like milk, curd, sugar, honey, and ghee. If you perform Abhishekam with these Panchamrit will get more wealth and prosperity.

  
  

  5. Ghee Abhishekam...... if you perform the Ghee Abhishekam it gets rid of all illnesses or physical problems.

  
  

  6. Dahi Abhishek....... It aids the childless couple to have a child.

  
  

  Customs and Traditions.......

  
  

  Depending on the regional differences different states celebrate this festival in their ways and beliefs. Specifically, on this day, people worship the Shivalingam as a symbol of faith in Lord Shiva. Many women observe fast on this day and pray for their husband's long life. Unmarried women observe fast to have a husband like him as he treated as the best husband. In this festival, even males also observe fast on this day to make their dreams come true. It's very auspicious to observe a fast on Shivratri and widely celebrated in different Shiva temples all over India. In many temples, night Jaagran organized for the worshipers. The whole night they observe fast and sing songs to praise their Deity. It is strongly believed that Lord Shiva comes to see his followers in a form that can be accommodated by humans. After having the prasad in the morning, they break their fast and have food. This festival is very auspicious for all Hindus in the world, and they celebrate them in their style.

  
  

  
  SIVA WITH PARVATHY

  
  

  As per ancient history, this day is also said as the association day of Goddess Parvathy and Lord Shiva, when they got married and Lord Shiva entered into Gruhastaasrama. It is said that this was the day when Lord Shiva drank the poison churned out during Samudra Manthan for the sake of humans and from that day itself. He has another name as Neelkantha. Maha Shivratri marks the occurrence of 64 - forms of shiva linga all over the world when 64-shiva llingas which are the abode of Shiva occurred on the Earth and so this day known as the great night of Shiva.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Shiva Mantra.......

  
  

  “Mrutyunjayaaya Rudraaya Neelakantaya Shambhave

  
  

  Amriteshaaya Sarvaaya Mahadevaaya Te Namaha”

  
  

  Meaning ........

  
  

  ‘Oh Lord Shiva, you are the one who has conquered death and are responsible for destruction of the Universe to let life again prevail on earth. Oh lord, you are Neelkantha as you have a blue throat. We pay obeisance to you lord with are hands folded in namaskar.’

  
  

  Benefit : This Shiva Mantra has the power to dispel fear and boost a person’s inner potential and strength.

  
  

  Thus, we can see that Shiva Mantra has the power to boost a person’s inner potential and strength. He is the power behind all the mantras. Shiva Mantra invokes the Shiva Tattva to immobilize, annihilate and eliminate the enemies from one’s path. Shiva Mantra is also called the ‘Raksha Kavach Mantra’ as it protects one from dangers, threats and enemies.

  
  

  Chanting of Shiva mantra on Chaturdashi is considered very effective and auspicious. Regular chanting of Shiva mantra in a fresh and peaceful environment attracts success and prosperity in all walks of life.

  
  

  We can, hence, see that Shiva is the lord of ‘Immortality’; He is the One who has conquered Death. The very utterance of his name rejuvenates the mind, body and soul. Shiva Mantras have tremendous healing power. They have the power to fulfill one’s desire and can be also used for attainment of the ultimate liberation – Moksha.

  
  

  
  

  J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

  
  

  "WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

   WE BREATHE TO THINK"

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