The Mahamrityunjaya mantra is for health and well-being. It may seem a little scary to you or you might be fascinated by it. I say it eleven times a day. In short through vibration, it realigns the physical body to maintain & restore health through the cells.
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
urvaarukamiva bandhanaatmrityormukshiiya maamritaat
From Swami Niranjanananda ~
Satyananda recommended the Mahamrityunjaya mantra and the Gayatri mantra to everyone. Paramahamsaji said that those who wish for health and healing must chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra at least twenty-four times every day. He said, “I am giving you a guarantee that if you do it with intensity of focus, willpower, purity of heart and feeling, then there is no question that health and healing will be provided, whether for oneself or for others.”
If you ask about the meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, most people will say it is a mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva and give a definition according to the literal meaning of each word. But more important is the vibration you create. The combination of sounds in any mantra creates a specific vibration in the body. Our body also has a vibratory dimension. All the cells and atoms are vibrating in harmony with each other. The moment this harmony is broken at the vibratory level, destruction of the body takes place and we start to die. In death the pulsations of the body stop, the animation of the cells ceases and the life force leaves the body. The vibrations are the manifest symptoms of the life force.
Symbolically, these vibrations are represented in the various chakras or psychic centres. So when we use a combination of mantras or sound syllables, we are activating and bringing forth the potential of these vibrations that are inherent in the body. Some vibrations, like Om, are used to go into a deep meditative state. The effect of Om internalizes the awareness. From a scientific viewpoint, Om increases the alpha waves and decreases the beta waves. Subjectively, internalization of awareness takes place; we become more focused, tranquil and peaceful. When we use a string of vibrations, as in the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, these vibrations realign the disturbances in the vibratory system. Disease and illness can be managed effectively with this mantra.
In our ashrams around the world, we practise the Mahamrityunjaya mantra every Saturday
night with a sankalpa, a feeling, to let the healing powers of this mantra
heal our body and the bodies of those who are suffering or in pain. If
we want to incorporate the practice of mantra into our routine in order
to help others, we should also make the effort to chant the Mahamrityunjaya
mantra. Every Saturday do at least one mala; it only takes about thirty-five
minutes. This is for your personal well-being and for the well-being of
everyone around you.
For other commonly used mantras at Satyananda Ashrams please visit here.
