Mahamrityunjaya Chalisa

Glory to Mrityunjaya, the one who sustains the whole world. He takes away untimely death and the sorrows of all.

His eight-armed form is dear to behold. Seeing that vision, the world loses itself in wonder.

With four of his hands he performs the sacred bathing rite, and with two more he offers the nectar of grace to everyone.

His seventh hand bears the sign of the deer, and his eighth holds a rosary that gladdens the heart.

Serpents serve as his beloved ornaments, and he wears the tiger-skin as his robe.

His lotus seat has a beauty all its own, and on it the kind-hearted giver, Bhole, is seated.

The crescent moon glitters on his brow, and again and again it bathes his body in nectar.

The three-eyed Lord captivates every heart. Know him as the inner witness present in every home.

On his left rests Parvati, daughter of the mountain king. Seeing that sight, one gladly surrenders in devotion.

Mrityunjaya, your form is such that words can never fully hold the thought of it.

You are Ashutosh, quickly pleased, and a giver beyond measure. The saints' scriptures declare this plainly.

Shukra, teacher of the demons, meditated on you and from you gained the art of reviving the dead.

Guru Brihaspati received this same knowledge, and you granted the boy Markandeya deathlessness.

The sage Upamanyu worshipped you faithfully and received your compassion and grace.

The demon Andhaka waged a fierce war against you, yet even then you showed him mercy, O destroyer of Tripura.

Gods and demons alike meditated on you, and each one received the fruit his heart desired.

When the demons oppressed the world, the gods came to you and won you over with their prayers.

When the three demon cities grew arrogant, you burned all the proud ones to ash.

When the gods sounded their victory drums, all three worlds rejoiced together.

This is the very form of divine power, dear one. Through it the lifeless corpse is lifted into the living truth of Shiva.

You are spoken of by many names and many forms, and every path in the end leads back to you.

Dearest of all and unlike any other, your sacred mantra is formed of thirty-three syllables.

Climbing the thirty-three steps, the seeker at last finds himself within the thousand-petalled lotus.

Demonic forces are undone, while pure and noble powers take the devotee up into their care.

Whoever meditates with sincere faith stays untouched, for disease and affliction will not come near.

You alone are the Lord and the center of all. Without you, how could any spiritual practice reach its end?

The pain inflicted by Yama, lord of death, cannot trouble the one who takes shelter in you, Mrityunjaya.

Be gracious to all, O merciful one, and carry us across the ocean of worldly life, compassionate Lord.

Mahamrityunjaya, support of the world, whoever chants your name is ferried safely to the far shore.

Through your name the four great aims of life are won: righteousness, prosperity, fulfilled desire, and liberation.

O bountiful one, pour your grace upon the living soul who repeats your name.

It clears away the distress of the Kaal Sarpa affliction, so that it never torments one for the whole of life.

Where the nine planets come and bow their heads, they no longer bring harm to the devotees.

For the one who meditates with faith and trust, hardship never finds a way in.

The person who speaks your name aloud is safe, for the nine planets can do them no damage.

Whoever recites this thirty-three times is shielded, for untimely death will not reach them.

In whose mind Mrityunjaya dwells, the three kinds of suffering – bodily, worldly, and spiritual – are destroyed.

Rising each day and reciting with an attentive heart, one gains goodness, happiness, and abundance.

The mind grows clear like the waters of the Ganga, and rising wisdom drives ignorance away.

May your kindness rest upon every person who listens to this Chalisa or recites it for others to hear.