ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

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Om Tryambakaṃ Yajāmahe Sugandhiṃ Puṣṭi-vardhanam
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mṛtyor Mukṣīya Mā’mṛtāt

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Om – The primordial sound; the universal vibration.

Tryambakam – “Three-eyed one,” a reference to Lord Shiva, symbolizing higher wisdom and perception beyond the ordinary.

Yajāmahe – “We worship, honor, or invoke.”

Sugandhim – “Sweet fragrance,” symbolizing purity and auspiciousness.

Puṣṭi-vardhanam – “That which nourishes and strengthens life.”

Urvārukamiva – “Like a cucumber or fruit ready to fall” — symbolizing natural release.

Bandhanān – “From bondage” or attachments.

Mṛtyor – “From death” or fear of death.

Mukṣīya – “Liberate us” or free us.

Mā’mṛtāt – “Not from immortality,” often interpreted as “lead us to eternal life / immortality.”

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Om Tryambakam Yajāmahe

• “Om, we honor the Three-Eyed One (Lord Shiva).”

• The three eyes symbolize:

  • The past, present, and future

  • Or the body, mind, and soul

• Invoking Shiva means calling upon higher perception and spiritual insight.​

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Sugandhim Puṣṭi-vardhanam

• “We honor the divine who is sweetly fragrant and life-nourishing.”

• This represents the vital energy of the universe that sustains and strengthens life.

• Spiritually, it’s an acknowledgment that life is sacred and supported by divine energy.​

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Urvārukamiva Bandhanān

• “Like a ripe cucumber effortlessly detaches from the vine.”

• This is a metaphor for death and release: just as fruit naturally separates when ripe, so should the soul leave the body peacefully, without fear or resistance.

• It symbolizes letting go of attachments gracefully

• “May we be freed from death and granted immortality.”

• Here, “immortality” is not just physical life — it refers to the eternal soul (ātman) and spiritual liberation (moksha).

• The mantra is ultimately a prayer for healing, protection, and transcendence.

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“We invoke the Three-Eyed Lord Shiva, the nourisher and purifier,
asking to be freed from the fear of death,
just as a ripe fruit naturally falls from the vine,
and may we attain the eternal, unending essence of life.”

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It is said to heal the sick, protect from danger, and ease transitions, while cultivating courage, inner strength, and spiritual wisdom.

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So now to practice

• Light a candle if desired.

• Find your comfortable seat, spine straight, in a quiet place.

• Recite the mantra slowly and mindfully:

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Om Tryambakam Yajāmahe Sugandhim Puṣṭi-vardhanam
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mṛtyor Mukṣīya Mā’mṛtāt

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• Repetition: Traditionally 3, 9, 27, 54, or 108 times.

 

Meditative Focus:

• Visualize a protective golden light surrounding you and loved ones.

• Imagine life force and health being strengthened with each repetition.

• Contemplate peaceful release of fears, attachments, and suffering.

 

Optional Breathing Alignment:

• Inhale on the first half (Om Tryambakam Yajāmahe)

• Exhale on the second half (Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mṛtyor Mukṣīya Mā’mṛtāt)

This deepens resonance and connects breath with mantra energy.