GRS X NO MIND STATE IS ENLIGHTENMENT

NDE IS IN SUBTLE BODY X GRS

D X PPDIS X May He liberate us from the bondage of death, just as a ripe cucumber is released from its stalk, but may He not separate us from immortality.”

 A

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra ("Great Death-Conquering Mantra") originates directly from the story of Rishi Markandeya, a young devotee whose complete surrender to Lord Shiva conquered mortality itself.

1. The Story of Markandeya

• The Choice: Sage Mrikandu and his wife Marudmati prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Shiva offered them a choice: an dull, wicked son who would live for 100 years, or an extraordinarily wise, virtuous son who would die at the age of 16. They chose wisdom over longevity and named the boy Markandeya.
  
  
• The Secret Disclosed: As Markandeya approached his 16th birthday, his parents became overcome with grief. Learning the truth of his destiny, Markandeya remained unperturbed. He installed a Shiva Lingam on the seashore and immersed himself in intense devotion and prayer.
  
  
• The Encounter with Yama: On his 16th birthday, Yama (the god of death) arrived on his buffalo with his noose to claim Markandeya's soul. Terrified yet steadfast, Markandeya tightly wrapped his arms around the Shiva Lingam and began chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
  
  
• Shiva's Manifestation (Kalantaka): When Yama threw his noose, it encircled both Markandeya and the Shiva Lingam. Outraged that his sacred emblem was bound, Lord Shiva emerged from the Lingam as Kalantaka ("The Conqueror of Time/Death") and struck down Yama.
  
  
• The Blessing of Immortality: At the plea of the gods, Shiva restored Yama to life on the condition that Markandeya would be spared. Shiva blessed the boy to remain eternally sixteen years old (Chiranjeevi—an immortal), making the mantra a universal shield against premature death.
  
  

2. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra & Meaning

Found in the Rigveda (7.59.12) and Yajurveda, the mantra chanted by Markandeya is:

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

• Transliteration:
  
  
  Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam |
  
  
  Urvarukam-Iva Bandhanan-Mrityor-Mukshiya Ma'mritat ||
  
  
• Word-by-Word Translation:
  
  
  • Tryambakam: The Three-Eyed One (Lord Shiva).
    
    
  • Yajamahe: We worship / honor.
    
    
  • Sugandhim: The fragrant one (representing spiritual essence).
    
    
  • Pushti-Vardhanam: The nourisher and increaser of physical/spiritual vitality.
    
    
  • Urvarukam-Iva: Like a ripe cucumber.
    
    
  • Bandhanan: From bondage / the creeping vine.
    
    
  • Mrityor-Mukshiya: Free us from death.
    
    
  • Ma-Amritat: But never from immortality / liberation.
    
    

3. Esoteric & Practical Significance

• The Cucumber Metaphor: A cucumber grows bound tightly to its vine. When fully ripe, it detaches naturally and effortlessly without any pain or resistance. The mantra prays for a similar transition—natural liberation from physical attachment rather than a violent termination.
  
  
• Healing & Longevity: Traditionally chanted 108 times, it is considered a premier healing mantra used for recovery from illness, prevention of accidents, overcoming fear, and achieving spiritual liberation (Moksha).

A

Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra

Sanskrit:

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

IAST transliteration:

Oṃ Tryambakaṃ Yajāmahe
Sugandhiṃ Puṣṭivardhanam
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān
Mṛtyor Mukṣīya Mā'mṛtāt

Simple pronunciation:

Om Tryambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maa'mritaat

Meaning

“We worship the Three-Eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes and sustains all beings. May He liberate us from the bondage of death, just as a ripe cucumber is released from its stalk, but may He not separate us from immortality.”

The mantra comes from the Ṛgveda (7.59.12) and is also found in the Yajurvedic tradition. It is traditionally associated with Śiva as Tryambaka—the Three-Eyed Lord.

The important final phrase is “mā amṛtāt” — “not from immortality.” Thus the prayer is not simply for avoidance of physical death; traditionally, it expresses the deeper aspiration for liberation from mortality and realization of amṛta, the deathless state.