Overcome The Fear Of Death: Chant Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram, Know Its Benefits!

Add as a preferred source on Google

Maha Mrityunjaya stotram by Markandeya Rishi wards off the fear of death in devotees who chant it. It is written invoking the grace of Lord Shiva, the timeless reality to protect those who chant it to overcome the fear of death.

Story behind the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram (Rishi Markandeya's Story)

Sage Mrikanda, the father of Rishi Markandeya performed penance to Lord Shiva to bless him with a son. Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him to choose between a son who will be virtuous and pious but who will live only up to sixteen years of age, or a dull-witted one, who will live long.

Sage Mrikanda chose the former and thus Rishi Markandeya was born. As a boy Markandeya was very pious and grew up to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Shortly before his sixteenth year, he learned from his parents his destiny to die soon and hence he engaged himself in severe austerities.

On the day on which he was to die, Yama the Lord of Death sent his messengers to claim the life of Markandeya. Owing to his severe austerities and prayers, the messengers were unable to perform their task and hence they reported to Lord Yama regarding it. So in Markandeya's case, Lord Yama himself had to appear in order to claim his life.

He flung the noose around the boy Markandeya's neck, as the young sage in fear embraced the Shivalinga. The noose thus fell around the Shivalinga as well and an angered Shiva emerged from the Linga and vanquished Lord Yama, thereby protecting his devotee from the jaws of death. In response the Maha Mrityunjaya stotram emerged from the boy Markandeya on the glory of Lord Shiva. Yama was later revived by the Lord, as the devas beseech Him to do so.

Fear of death in Hinduism

According to Hinduism all fears are the variations of the fear of death. Hence, if the fear of death is rooted out in a person with the realisation of the truth that he is the eternal Self, or the indestructible spirit, then his fears are vanquished and he realises himself to be immortal.

Benefits of chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

The Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram begins with "Rudram Pasupathim Sthanum." It ends with "Namaami sirasaa devam kim no mrutyu karishyati" after each stanza, which affirms the protection of Lord Shiva from death to the one who bows with his head.

It is thus stated in the Maha Mrityunjaya stotram that anyone reading this prayer written by Rishi Markandeya in front of Lord Shiva would be free of the fear of death, fire and thieves as well.

Furthermore, reading the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram one hundred times during times of misery will get rid of it. Last but not the least, reading the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram with a clean mind will fulfil the wants of the devotees, who chant it.

Let us thus chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram to be free of the fear of death and be blessed with the other benefits as well.