Maha Mrityunjaya Homa
What is Maha Mrityunjaya Homa?
Deity: Lord Shiva as Tryambaka — the three-eyed conqueror of death
The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra — “the great death-conquering mantra” — is among the oldest prayers in the world, found in the Rig Veda and repeated in the Yajur Veda. It addresses Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed One, and asks to be released from bondage “as the ripe cucumber from its vine” — freed from death, not from immortality.
In the homa, the mantra is chanted many times (often 1,008 or more) with offerings into the fire. Families commonly sponsor it when a loved one is unwell, for an elder's milestone birthday, or simply as an annual prayer for wellbeing.
KEY MANTRA
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam, urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt.
We worship the three-eyed One, fragrant, who nourishes all. As the ripe cucumber is freed from its vine, may we be freed from death, not from immortality.
Benefits of Maha Mrityunjaya Homa
Spiritual support for healing and recovery, alongside medical treatment
Prayers for longevity — commonly performed on the 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays of parents
Traditionally believed to protect from accidents and untimely misfortune
Relief from fear and anxiety; strength in difficult times
Who should perform Maha Mrityunjaya Homa?
Families with a loved one who is unwell, recovering or facing surgery
Elders and their children marking milestone birthdays
Anyone seeking protection and inner strength in a frightening period
When to perform it
Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, the Shravana month, the person's birth nakshatra — or as soon as needed during illness.
Maha Mrityunjaya Homa procedure, step by step
Ganapati puja and Sankalpa naming the person for whom the homa is performed.
Kalasha and Shiva avahana - Shiva is invoked into the sacred pot.
Maha Mrityunjaya japa - the mantra is chanted a set number of times.
Ahutis - offerings of ghee, sesame, durva grass and other sacred items with the mantra.
Purnahuti and kalasha abhisheka - the sanctified kalasha water may be sprinkled on or given to the person.
Samagri, duration and priests
Special samagri: Ghee, black sesame, durva grass, bilva leaves, white flowers, havan samagri and samidha.
Duration & priests: 2–3 hours · 1–3 priests (larger japa counts take longer)
Maha Mrityunjaya Homa cost
Published US temple fee sheets (checked Oct 2026) list a standard single-priest homa at roughly $90–$250 at the temple and $150–$350 at your home, plus priest travel.
AgniBliss price (performed in India, live-streamed, with prasadam): $____ · priests: __ · japa count: ____ — what changes the price: number of priests, japa count, duration and special samagri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Maha Mrityunjaya Homa good for?
It is traditionally performed for healing, longevity, protection from untimely misfortune and freedom from fear.
Q. Can Maha Mrityunjaya Homa be done for someone else?
Yes. The sankalpa is taken in the name, gotra and nakshatra of the person for whom it is performed — commonly a parent or child.
Q. Does the homa replace medical treatment?
No. It is a spiritual support that complements medical care, never a substitute.
Q. How many times is the mantra chanted in the homa?
Commonly 108 or 1,008 times; larger vows can run to 11,000 or more over several days.
