Mrutyu literally translates to death. So, Mrityunjaya means victory over death. Mrutyunjaya Homam or Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam, as it is sometimes called, is performed to ward off threats to life through disease or due to other factors.
Mrityu literally translates to death. So, Mrutyunjaya means victory over death. Mrutyunjaya Homam or Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam, as it is sometimes called, is performed to ward off threats to life through disease or due to other factors. The Homam is performed where the offerings are put into the fire while repeatedly chanting the MahaMriyunjayaJapam.
In the Hindu mythology and belief, Lord Shiva is said to be the Destroyer, Lord Brahma being the Creator and Lord Vishnu the Protector. One of the forms of Lord Shiva is where He has ashes smeared all over His body and has a garland of human skulls. This is in the backdrop of a graveyard. So, human beings mortally afraid of losing their lives organize Mrutyunjaya Homam to propitiate Lord Shiva. Of the many incarnations of Hindu Gods, Lord Shiva is one with no origin (Adi) or end (Anth).
When someone is afflicted with serious illnesses like heart disease or cancer, they pray to Lord Shiva to protect them from pre-mature death. Every individual knows that death is the only certainty in life; still they want to live a full life and not leave this Earth earlier than destined. If they feel their life is threatened due to known and unknown reasons, then they call in the pandits, like from Swarnatara spirituals, to perform Mrutyunjaya Homam. The pandits then conduct the homam in the correct manner.
As mentioned, the benefit the devout expect from performing the Mrityunjaya Homam is that Lord Shiva will relieve them of any fear for their lives. They can escape untimely death due to an accident or through fatal diseases. One of the benefits of Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam is said to be the person performing it can escape the cycle of life and death and attain poorna moksha.
