Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is chanting to please Lord Shiva and also provides protection from premature death by chanting this mantra. It is believed that if someone is seriously ill in someone’s house, then chanting Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times every day gives benefits soon. Along with this, if this mantra is chanted daily with the worship of Mahakal, then the fear of premature death from the person goes away. Today we are telling you about the origin of this miraculous mantra and the story related to it …
The sage Mrkand was grieved for what reason?
The exclusive devotee of Lord Shiva was sad due to being childless. The creator did not give an opportunity to have children in her fate. The Mrkand thought that Mahadev can change all the rules of the world, so why not please Bholenath and change this rule too.
Then the sage Mrkand started harsh penance. Bholenath knew the reason for the penance of the Mrkand, so he did not appear soon but Bhole Baba had to bow down in front of the devotion of the devotee. Mahadev was pleased. He told the sage, “I am giving you the boon of a son by changing the rules, but there will be happiness and sorrow with this boon.”
Such were the sons of the sage Mrkand
From the boon of Bholenath, Mrkand received a son, who was named Markandeya. Astrologers told the Mrkand that the lifetime of this child, rich in extraordinary talent, is short. Its age is only 12 years. The sage’s happiness turned into sadness. Mrkand assured his wife that the God of whom this child is born will protect this innocent child. Changing luck is a simple task for them.
Markandeya’s mother was worried.
When Markandeya started growing up, his father initiated him of Shiva Mantra. Markandeya’s mother was worried about the growing age of the child. He told Markandeya about his short lifetime. Markandeya decided that for the happiness of his parents, he would ask for a boon of longevity from the same Lord Shiva who gave him life. Twelve years had come to complete.
Markandeya composed Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
Markandeya composed Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to worship Lord Shiva and sat in the Shiva temple and started chanting it continuously.
ॐ Trimbakam Yajamhe Sugandhin Pushtivardhanam.
Breeding of reproduction is a means of freedom from death.
When the time was over, the messengers of the gods came to pick him up. When Yama’s messengers saw that the child was worshiping Mahakal, he waited for a while. Markandeya took a fast of continuous chanting. He kept chanting without stopping. Yama’s messengers did not have the courage to touch Markandeya and they returned. He told Yamraj that he cannot dare to reach the child. On this, Yamraj said that I will bring the son of Mrkand myself. Yamraj reached Markandeya. When the child Markandeya saw Yamraj, he clung to the Shivling while chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra in a high voice. When Yamraj tried to pull the child away from the Shivling, the temple started shaking with faster roar. Yamraj’s eyes spread bright light.
Mahakal appeared from Shivling
Mahakal himself appeared from Shivling. He warned Yamraj with a trident in his hand and asked how did you dare to pull the devotee absorbed in my practice ..? Yamraj started trembling with the attack of Mahakal. He said- Lord, I am your servant. You have given me a cruel task of taking the life of living beings. When God’s anger became a little calm, he said, ‘I am happy with the praise of my devotee and I have given him a boon of a long life. You cannot take it.
Yama said- Lord, your command is paramount. I will not disturb anyone who recites Mahamrityunjaya composed by your devotee Markandeya. Markandeya Longevity was made by the grace of Mahakal. So in this way the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra composed by him also defeats the time.