Bhagwan Shiv is the omniscient one who wards away all pain of disease, calamity and suffering. The great Stotram of Maha Mrtyunjaya Jaap is believed to relieve of the same wherein one gets strength to ward of the ill effects of disease and death with this simple mantra. The chant is believed to be created by the great Rishi Vashisth, one of the Saptarishis and the Guru of Shri Ram. He has mentioned this verse in the Mandala seven of the Rigved.
Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahe sungandhim pushtivardhanam
Urvaarukamive bandhanaat mrityormukshiya maamritaat II
We sacrifice to Trayambaka, the increaser of prosperity, like a cucumber releases from its stem, might I be freed from death, not from deathlessness.
This mantra is also called the Trayambaka mantra. This verse is mentioned in the Rigved referring to Trayambaka, meaning the three eyed one, who is Bhagwan Shiv. This mantra is chanted and believed to provide good mental and physical health and improve the longetivity of life and ward off untimely death. The string of vibrations the mantra releases the positive signs of the universe and restore us good health. The great mantra is also a part of Yajurved reciting thus showing its importance as one of the significant contributions of good health from the Vedas.
The Maha Mrtyunjay Mantra is chanted for 108 times as the number of 108 has a significant importance in our Sanatana Dharma. The numbers 1, 0, 8 signify oneness, nothingness and everything thus uniting the chant with Bhagwan Shiv who is the very existence of the Universe. This mantra also releases mankind from the ill virtues of ego, jealousy, greed and anger and gives source to positive forces of life and calms the mind and the body.
There is no restriction as to who may chant it and recite it and can be done by anyone. However, reciting it in a proper and slow manner brings in the calmness and settles down the mind with the positive forces of the Universe. The mantra can be chanted at night too once or thrice in a slow manner for a good and a sound sleep.
It is no wonder that our Sanatana Dharma has all the practises which help mankind to lead life in a positive way inspite of difficulties and adversities. The Maha Mrtyunjaya mantra is one among them which makes us strong to fight the calamities of disease and life and also become strong mentally to face them. The chant of the mantra gives us strength which is given by none other than the
compassionate Almighty Bhagwan Shiv who frees us from all pain and suffering and gives strength to lead life no matter what comes our way.