Maha Mrityunjaya Homam is a Fire ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva, the god of death in Hinduism. This Homam is also called Maha Sanjeevani Homam/Yagya. People believe that those who worship Shiva by performing this Homam can escape untimely death. The auspicious days for performing this Homam depends on the Hindu lunar calendar and regional beliefs. Some of the ideal days are given below:
Mondays: Monday is dedicated to Shiva, and it is, therefore, auspicious for performing the Homam.
Pradosham: Pradosham is the period of 3 hours that comes twice every lunar month when Shiva is at his most benevolent. Performing the Mrityunjaya Homam during this time is very auspicious.
Shravan Maas: Shravan Maas is a Hindu month dedicated to the worship of Shiva. It is the most favorable period for this Homam.
Maha Shivaratri: Maha Shivaratri is a major festival that honors Shiva. This is a most auspicious time for performing Mrityunjaya Homam.
All about Maha Mrityunjaya Homam
Mrityu is the god of death in the Hindu pantheon and is sometimes referred to as a goddess, too. ‘Jaya’ means ‘victory,’ and ‘Maha’ means ‘great’. ‘Mrityunjaya’, meaning ‘one who is victorious over death’ or ‘one who can control death’, is a synonym for Shiva. During this Homam, 21 powerful Mantras are chanted. Durva grass and the herb ‘Amrita’ are the main offerings. While Durva can clean the blood, Amrita is used in the treatment of cancer and other severe ailments.
These offerings, along with the chanting of Mantras and the offering of prayers, supposedly remove the fear of death, prevent untimely death, and bestow longevity. The Maha Mrityunjaya Homam invokes Mrityu for the boon of long life and seeks victory over illness and Doshas in the horoscope. Usually, Nakshatra Homam is also performed along with this Homam.
The Mantra chanted during the Maha Mrityunjaya Homam has the power to conquer death and should be chanted 108 times. The Mantra finds mention in the Yajurveda and Rigveda.
The Maha Mrityunjaya Homam protects one from severe illness and life-threatening ailments. It can also increase one’s life span and frees the native and their family of all their sins.
Maha Mrityunjaya Homam is one of the most powerful rituals for healing and reviving people who face imminent death. It is believed to slow down or even halt the process of death and revive a terminally ill person.
During the Homam, the fire that is lit is not completely extinguished for the next 24 hours, and the ceremony is performed 4 times or once every 6 hours. One can perform it for accident victims, too.
The Maha Mrityunjaya Homam is also done for those who know they are dying or can foresee their impending death. It eliminates the fear of death so that the person can die peacefully, without any stress.
Pooja Samagri for Maha Mrityunjaya Homam
- Kumkum, Sandal Powder, Camphor,
- Gangaajal, Panchakavyam
- Cow Ghee, Pancha Deepa oil
- Coins, Rice, Honey
- Jaggery, Sugar
- White Towel
- Blouse Piece
- Dry Coconut
- Dry Coconut (Full)
- Elaichi (cardamom), Lavangam (clove)
- Rangoli Powder
- Navadhanya, Havan samagri
- Glass
- Agarbatti Stand -1
- 5 Different Fruits
- Betel Leaves
- Mango Leaves
- Flower Garlands, Flowers
Pooja Vidhi for Maha Mrityunjaya Homam
Wake up early in the morning, ideally during Brahma Muhurat.
Clean the house and the Pooja area, where the Havan will take place.
Decorate the house with flowers and thoran.
Perform the Shodashaopachara ritual to welcome the deity to the Homam.
Ganapati Pooja is performed as the first procedure before the Maha Mrityunjaya Homam begins.
Priests chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times with Japa mala. They offer flowers and sweets to the Havan kund with ahuti.
At the end of the Homam, they offer Aarti to Shiva and distribute Prasad to the people who took part in the Homam.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Aum Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam | Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-mrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||
Meaning: We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.
Benefits Of Maha Mrityunjaya Homam
- It prevents untimely death.
- It protects one from terminal illness and planetary Doshas.
- The Homam protects one from evil spirits, fear of death, and accidental death.
- It can nullify the ill effects of the Navagrahas and eliminate karmic Doshas.
- It reduces the adverse effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga in the birth chart.
- It bestows Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
- It brings peace of mind and protection from enemies and harmful forces.
Cost of Maha Mirtyunjaya Homam
The Maha Mrityunjaya Homam takes around 5-6 hours. The cost may depend on the number of priests/pandits and the materials needed for the Homam. It can also vary according to the number of Japas. The cost can range from Rs.11000/ – 25000/-.