Just as the ripe cucumber is automatically released from the creeper, may we be liberated from death, and do not withhold immortality. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, which nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pusti vardhanam Urvarukamiva bandhanan mrtyor mukshiya mamritat “Maha” which means Great, “Mrityun” means Death and “Jaya” means Victory. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a blend of three Hindi language words i.e. Thus, Markendeya was saved from death and this mantra came to be known as Markendeya Mantra. This act of Yama made Lord Shiva furious and finally Yama was defeated by Shiva. This made Yama furious, he came in person and sprung his noose around the sage but, accidentally the noose fell around the Shiva Lingam. When he reached the age of 12, the messengers of Yama came to take the young sage, but he chanted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra with intense devotion, which made it impossible for the messengers to take his life. Markendeya grew up with great devotion to Lord Shiva and worshiped Shiva Lingam. They were blessed with a smart baby boy, Markendeya, who was fated to die at the age of 12. The parents opted for the first choice and their wish was granted by Lord Shiva. Click to view this stunning marble statue of Shiva killing Yama
They can either have an intelligent son with short life, or a son with less intelligence but with a long life. Lord was pleased in their worship and gave the childless parents two options to choose from. Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati, the parents of sage Makendeya, were great devotees of Lord Shiva and they prayed for a son to the Lord. There is a legend which depicts that with the power of this Mahamritunjaya Mantra, Markendaya was protected by Lord Shiva from death. The Mantra was revealed by Sage Markendaya and is considered as the secret mantra that has saved the sage from Yama the Hindu God of Death. The Mantra is also known as Rudra mantra (Rudra is the fiercest form of Lord Shiva) and Mrita-Sanjivini mantra. Since, the Mantra is addressed to Tryambaka (the three-eyed one), it is also known as Tryambakam Mantra. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, can be found in the verses of Rig Veda and also recurs in Yajur Veda. Click to view this bronze statue of Kalasamharamurti Shiva Killing Yama