How many times should the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra be chanted?

Traditionally 108 times using a japa mala. Beginners can start with 11 or 21 repetitions daily and build up gradually — consistency matters more than count.

Rig Veda 7.59.12 · Lord Shiva as Tryambaka

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra — Meaning, Word by Word & Benefits

Q: Can the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra be chanted for someone else?

Yes. It is traditionally chanted with a loved one's wellbeing in mind — for a family member who is ill, recovering, or going through a difficult time. Hold the person in your thoughts as you chant, and dedicate the repetitions to their health and protection.

Q: Is the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra only chanted when someone is ill?

No. Although it is famous as a healing prayer, it is a life-affirming mantra — a prayer for nourishment, courage and freedom from fear — and is well suited to daily practice in good health too.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is the great "victory over death" prayer of the Vedas — addressed to Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed one, and also known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra. Here is the full mantra, its word-by-word meaning, its benefits, and exactly how to chant it.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥ Om Tryambakaṁ Yajāmahe Sugandhiṁ Puṣṭi-vardhanam ·
Urvārukam-iva Bandhanān Mṛtyor-mukṣīya Māmṛtāt

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Listen to the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra on the Mantras App

Guided audio with correct pronunciation, meaning, and a 108 japa counter — free.

Simple meaning

"We worship the three-eyed one (Shiva), fragrant, who nourishes all beings; as the ripe cucumber is freed from its stem, may we be liberated from death, not from immortality."

Where the mantra comes from

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra appears in the Rig Veda (7.59.12), addressed to Rudra/Shiva as Tryambaka — the three-eyed one whose third eye is the eye of wisdom that sees beyond birth and death. It is also called the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra, "the life-restoring one". Its central image is tender and precise: just as a ripe cucumber slips effortlessly from its stem when it is ready, may we be released from the grip of death — gently, naturally, and into immortality rather than away from it.

Word-by-word meaning

त्र्यम्बकं (Tryambakam)The three-eyed one, Shiva

यजामहे (Yajāmahe)We worship, we adore

सुगन्धिं (Sugandhim)The fragrant one

पुष्टिवर्धनम् (Puṣṭi-vardhanam)Who nourishes and sustains growth

उर्वारुकमिव (Urvārukam-iva)Like the cucumber/gourd

बन्धनान् (Bandhanān)From bondage, from the stem

मृत्योर् (Mṛtyor)From death

मुक्षीय (Mukṣīya)May I be freed

मा (Mā)Not

अमृतात् (Amṛtāt)From immortality, from the nectar

Benefits of chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Traditionally chanted for health and recovery — a prayer for nourishment and healing
Gives courage in times of fear or illness — its whole subject is facing death without fear
Chanted for protection, for oneself and for family
Brings calm around anxiety about the future through steady, rhythmic repetition
Traditionally chanted for the wellbeing of loved ones, holding them in mind

Treat these as fruits of a consistent practice, not instant results. See our guide on the scientific benefits of chanting.

How to chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Sit comfortably — a quiet spot, spine upright, eyes softly closed.
Take three slow breaths and let the day's noise settle.
Set your intention — if chanting for a loved one, hold them gently in your thoughts.
Listen first — play the audio once and absorb the rhythm.
Chant along slowly, syllable by syllable, matching the pronunciation.
Keep count — a japa mala or the app's 108 counter. Start with 11 or 21.
Sit in silence for a minute after the last repetition.

New to chanting? Read the full method in our Maha Mrityunjaya chanting guide and the general mantra chanting guide.

Best time & count

Early morning is the classic anchor for daily practice. The mantra is also traditionally chanted during illness — one's own or a loved one's — on Mondays (Shiva's day), and through the month of Shravan. Chant 108 times with a mala if you can; if you are starting out, 11 or 21 daily repetitions kept consistently beat 108 done occasionally. More in the best time to chant mantras.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Tryambakam?

Tryambakam means "the three-eyed one" — a name of Shiva. The third eye represents the eye of wisdom that sees beyond birth and death, which is why the mantra addresses Shiva in this form when praying for liberation from death.

Can it be chanted for someone else?

Yes — it is traditionally chanted with a loved one's wellbeing in mind: a family member who is ill, recovering, or going through a difficult time. Hold the person in your thoughts as you chant and dedicate the repetitions to their health and protection.

How many times should I chant it?

Traditionally 108 times with a japa mala. Beginners can start with 11 or 21 daily repetitions — consistency matters more than count.

When should I chant it?

Early morning is the classic time for daily practice. It is also traditionally chanted during illness, on Mondays (Shiva's day), and through the month of Shravan. Any quiet, sincere moment is a good time.

Is it only chanted when someone is ill?

No. Although famous as a healing prayer, it is a life-affirming mantra — a prayer for nourishment, courage and freedom from fear — and is well suited to daily practice in good health too.

Related mantras & guides

Chant it right, every morning

The Mantras App plays the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra with correct pronunciation, shows the meaning as you chant, and counts your 108 for you. Free on Google Play.

Listen on the Mantras App