Mrityunjaya is Shiva as Conqueror of Death and his yantra, which can be displayed in full detail by clicking here, shows him with his Shakti surrounded by his attendants. The weapons he holds in his hands are on the inside of the bhupura together with the names of eight of the Dikpalas (Guardians of the Directions). On the eight petals of the lotus are the eight Bhairavas, also mentioned in the Patala section of the Mahamrityunjaya Panchanga (below).

His mantra is om jum sah, the letters of which are scattered around the petals of the yantra. At the end of the Patala are given the satkarma, or six magical acts. The tantras warn that unless a sincere seeker (mumuksha) is already siddha in a mantra and performs daily puja, these acts bring ruin to a sadhaka or sadhvini.

Mrityunjaya Patala

On Kailasa Peak, in a beautiful garden strewn with various radiant jewels and garlands; scattered with different sorts of trees and creepers, filled with various beautiful flowers; in a grotto-temple adorned with various pure gems; in front of which are Kinnaris, softly murmuring and conversing, is seated Bhagavan Umanatha, the refuge; served by Brahma, Indra and Vishnu, by Jupiter (Guru) and Venus (Shukra) and hosts of Brahmins, Rishis, Siddhas, Aughas and Gandharvas; wearing a crescent moon as diadem, holding sword and trident, one hand giving boons, the other dispelling fear, peaceful, holding spear and bow, axe, shield, noose, javelin, knife, sprinkling Moon Kalas, holding an iron rod, bearing a mace and damaru and a 100 spoked discus; the Deva with 18 arms, ornamented with all the elements, naked, with 3 large open eyes and 5 faces, thrilled with bliss, the Ishvara, both Cosmos and Lord of the Cosmos, victorious, triumphant, His being one with Gauri, adorned with jewels of the serpent-demons, the Mahadeva, the Maheshvara, Shambhu, in the bound-lotus position, the dear Refuge of all. Having seen His sweet face, Parvati bowed and rose, and with a pleasant voice Gauri spoke to Parameshvara.

Shri Devi said -- Lord God, who is Shiva Deva, the Supreme Maha Mrityunjaya (Conqueror of Death), Adinatha, Protector of the World, Lord of Initiation, Ishvara. You have spoken to Me previously Mahadeva, Lord of the Gunas, Supreme Form of the Absolute! Now I wish to hear the 5 limbs. I request You to speak to me Lord!

Shri Bhairava said -- Because of Your devotion I will declare the previously unknown manual (5 Limbs) of the Supreme Lord Maha Mrityunjaya to You, (consisting of) Patala, Ritual Succession, Armour, 1,000 Mantra Names, Hymn and Mantra-Limbs. A sadhaka who knows this should conceal it.

Now firstly I shall speak of the section, beloved by the Lord of Initiation. his highest secret of all secrets should be concealed by sincere aspirants (mumukshas),

Now I will speak of the unfolding of the Mantra O Mahadevi, giving the fruit of initiation, celestial, bestowing happiness, objects aimed for, success -- Om Jum Sah Ham Sah, Protect! Protect Me! Sah Am Sauh Jum- This mantra is the wish fulfilling gem of the beloved Lord of Initiation.

There is no mantra as powerful as this for giving siddhi, desired results, and destroying enemies. It should not be given to the foolish, to the undisciplined, to those not on the path, to the bad, or those fettered by the five kleshas. This alone is the very blissful thing destroying enemies. This mantra ls the powerful King of Mantras, giving the fruit of inituation, like the wish-fulfllllng tree. Unless one previously prepares this King of Mantra it does not grant success, therefore one should prepare the mantra using methods indicated by the Guru. Only those who obtain this method from the Guru's hand should do this preparation.

This powerful King of Mantras is greater than the Aeon Tree! One should prepare it 400,000 times, or half that, O Maheshvari. One should never perform this method less than 100,000 times. One should give a tenth of recitation, a tenth of homa, a tenth oblation, a tenth sprinkling, and a tenth feeding. All this the sadhaka should do if he wishes to prepare the mantra. O Ishvari, one should give dakshina to the Guru as necessary ·

Then, Mahadevi, one should recite (the mantra) which becomes the giver of all success. Unless one doess this, there is no success, and initiation fails.

Now, Parvati, I speak of the rules relating to the unfolding of the yantra of Devadeva, which is all- alluring, heavenly, and the cause of all complete curse-removal. The Shri Chakra has bindu, triangle, hexagon, circle, 8 lotus petals, 3 circles and earth-square. Parvati, now I speak of the magical practice (Layanga) of the King of Mantras. Whosoever hears this doctrine may obtain the fruit of initiation. O Shire, In the earthsquare are the 10 Dikpalas, with their weapons, such as Indra and so forth.

In the 3 circles are the 3 lines of Guru, the Celestial, Siddha Augha, and Mortal Augha.

Shive, in the 8 (petals) are Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodhesha, Unmatta Bhairava, Kapalesha, Bhushana and Samharesha. Sincere seekers and sadhakas should worship these in the 8 petal lotus.

One should worship Kalagnirudra, Netresha, Vishvanatha, Maheshvara, Sadyojata and Vamadeva in the six yonis. O Devi, in the triangle one should worship Kameshvara, Mahakala Deva, and Svacchanda Bhairava. Shive, in the bindu one should worship Mrityunjaya Deva with his own Shakti. He is the Lord of Amrita, Ishana, ruler of the Three Worlds, with three parts, the highest pure Kala, with a necklace of pearls over His limbs -- in this way the best sadhakas should worship.

One should offer variously, O Devi, using scent, unhusked rice, flowers, incense, flame, food, paan, with parasols and fly-whisks. This is the magical practice (Layanga), hidden in all tantras, giving all siddhi, which one should conceal carefully.

Mahadevi, the Seer of this mantra is Maha Chama Pada, the metre is Gayatri, and the aspect of divinity Maha Mrityunjaya Rudra (known as) Mahadeva, the Primordial God. Devi, the bija is Om. The Shakti is Jum. Paramashani, the lynchpin is Sah. O Ishvari, the binding of the directions is 25 "Phats". The application is the famous four vargas. One should use Om Jum Sauh with six long vowels to bow with. The best of sadhakas should start with the heart first. Using the root bija one should do three pranayamas. One should sip water for the three tattvas which are Atma, Vidya, and Shiva.

Parvati, now I declare the meditation image (dhyana) of the God of Gods. Whichsoever mantrin meditates thus becomes one with Shiva. One should meditate on Mrityunjaya as having three eyes which are Moon, Sun and Fire; smiling face; seated within 2 lotuses, Whose hands hold Mudra, Noose, Wine and Rosary; effulgent as the Moon; with 10 million Moon Kalas of nectar drenching His body; begemmed wlth radiant pearls and so forth; charming, bewildering the Universe, the Pashupati.

In the centre of Rudra's forehead one should meditate on the circle of the Moon. By meditating on this place one may accomplish what one desires, and obtains freedom from death. In this way one should meditate on the begemmed mantra which Is the supreme seed of all, to obtain what one desires. One should carefully conceal this meditation on Rudra's head.

Now I speak of eight practical applications, hard to obtain, giving supreme results. The mantrln who should do these comes to resemble Bhairava, (They are) Paralysing, Deluding, Killing, Attracting, Subduing, Producing Peace and Promoting Health. Now I speak of those actions which cause great happiness. All siddhi comes via these magical methods in the Kali Yuga.

Shive, on a Sunday, having bathed, and having done the daily rite, firstly having made a resolution as to the number of timas to recite the mantra, one should recite it many times. A tenth of this one should offer as sacrifice (homa), using clarified butter and lotus seeds, Then one may accomplish paralysis of speech and mouth, causing (even such a great Brahmin as) Vivashvata to fall from caste.

On a Monday one should worship Devesha and should recite (the mantra) numerous times. One should give sacrifice of a tenth part using ghee, corn, parched grain, and vegetable leaves. Making a forehead mark using the ash one is able to delude the world.

On a Tuesday, the sadhaka, after bathlng, should go to a cremation ground. There he should recite the mantra numberless times, doing sacrifice of a large quantity of ghee, lotuses, various sweet substances, fruit of the Bel Tree, Devi, then one may kill one's enemy.

On a Wednesday, having bathed, one should worship in front of the Shri Chakra, and should recite the mantra numerous times, by a tenth part of this giving sacrifice of ghee, three thorns, bilva leaf. Then one may attract women.

On a Thursday, having bathed, one should recite the vidya a very large number of times. One should give sacrifice of a tenth part of that, using ghee, lotus seeds, sandalwood, sprinkling water and pieces of dead flesh. One obtains what one desires, gains victory over enemies, becomes a hero, wealthy, and lords it over adversaries.

On a Friday, the Lord Hero, in the cremation ground, should recite the mantra numerous times. Before an image of the root Vidya one should do sacrifice of a tenth part, using ghee, frog flesh, snail flesh. Then, most certainly, one may uproot enemies.

On a Saturday, having bathed, one should do puja and should recite the vidya a number of timas. One should do sacrlfice using milk, water used for bathing the dead, wood of the vata tree, sunflowers, flesh of a tiger with dhattura flowers. Then one may accomplish pacifying,

Always, on any day, one should recite the mantra numerous times, using mutton, tortoise flesh, boar flesh, and various fruits and flowers. Then disease is removed from home, father and devatas. Having done sacrifice of a tenth part one promotes great health.

Thus the Inner Essence (mahatattva) of the mantra has been declared, One should carefully hide it from the undevoted as if It were Your own yoni.

End of the Patala

Artwork is © Jan Bailey, 1995. Translations are © Mike Magee 1995. Questions or comments to [email protected]