shivamrityunjayadeath-conqueringmarkandeya

Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Brahma Muhurta, or at the bedside of the ill·📜 Traditional Shaiva stotra (attributed to Sage Markandeya)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram is the hymn 'Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum', attributed to Sage Markandeya, in which every verse ends with the fearless refrain 'Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati' — 'What then can death do to me?'. Distinct from the one-line Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, this stotra bows to Shiva by a cascade of his names — Nilakantha, Kalanashana (destroyer of Time), giver of both heaven and liberation — affirming that to one surrendered to him, death holds no power. It is recited for protection from untimely death, healing and a long, healthy life.

Origin & Story

Traditional Shaiva stotra (attributed to Sage Markandeya) · Attributed to Markandeya Rishi · Ancient / classical

This death-conquering hymn is traditionally linked to Sage Markandeya, the boy-sage who overcame Yama through devotion to Shiva and was blessed with immortality. The stotra distils that fearlessness into a litany of Shiva's names — Rudra, Pashupati, Sthanu, Nilakantha, Kalanashana — each verse sealing the bow with the rhetorical question 'Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati', 'what can death do to me?', the cry of a soul wholly sheltered in the Lord.

✦ As told in scripture

It is told that when the noose of Yama fell upon young Markandeya, Lord Shiva sprang from the Lingam and drove death away, granting the boy eternal youth. From this triumph flows the conviction behind this stotra: that the devotee who bows to Shiva with the words 'what can death do to me?' is placed beyond the reach of untimely death, and many recite it at sickbeds reporting peace and recovery.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum Nilakantham Umapatim। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥1॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — Rudra, Pashupati, Sthanu (the eternal pillar), the blue-throated one, the Lord of Uma. What then can death do to me?

Verse 2

Nilakantham Kalamurtim Kalajnam Kalanashanam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥2॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — the blue-throated one, the embodiment of Time, the knower of Time, the destroyer of Time. What then can death do to me?

Verse 3

Nilakantham Virupaksham Nirmalam Nilayapradam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥3॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — the blue-throated one, the one with the wondrous eye, the stainless, the giver of the final abode. What then can death do to me?

Verse 4

Vamadevam Mahadevam Lokanatham Jagadgurum। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥4॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — Vamadeva, the great God, Lord of the worlds, preceptor of the universe. What then can death do to me?

Verse 5

Devadevam Jagannatham Devesham Vrishabhadhvajam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥5॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — God of gods, Lord of the universe, ruler of the gods, whose banner bears the bull. What then can death do to me?

Verse 6

Gangadharam Mahadevam Sarpabharana-Bhushitam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥6॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — the bearer of the Ganga, the great God, adorned with serpents. What then can death do to me?

Verse 7

Tryaksham Chaturbhujam Shantam Jata-Mukuta-Dharinam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥7॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — the three-eyed, four-armed, serene one, wearing a crown of matted locks. What then can death do to me?

Verse 8

Bhasmoddhulita-Sarvangam Nagabharana-Bhushitam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥8॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — all his limbs smeared with sacred ash, adorned with serpents. What then can death do to me?

Verse 9

Anantam-Avyayam Shantam-Akshamala-Dharam Haram। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥9॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — the infinite, the imperishable, the peaceful, holding the rosary, Hara the remover. What then can death do to me?

Verse 10

Anandam Paramam Nityam Kaivalya-Pada-Dayinam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥10॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — supreme and eternal bliss, the giver of the state of absolute liberation. What then can death do to me?

Verse 11

Svargapavarga-Dataram Srishti-Sthity-Anta-Karinam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥11॥

Meaning:I bow my head to that God — bestower of heaven and of liberation, the doer of creation, preservation and dissolution. What then can death do to me?

Verse 12

Kalpayur-Dehi Me Punyam Yavad-Ayur-Arogatam। Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati॥12॥

Meaning:Grant me, O Lord, a lifespan of an aeon, merit, and lifelong freedom from disease — I bow my head to that God. What then can death do to me?

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

Rudram🔊Rudra — the fierce roarer, the destroyer of suffering

Pashupatim🔊Pashupati — Lord of all living beings

Sthanum🔊Sthanu — the firm, immovable, eternal pillar (the unchanging absolute)

Nilakantham🔊The blue-throated one (who held the halahala poison in his throat to save creation)

Umapatim🔊The Lord (consort) of Uma (Parvati)

Namami Shirasa Devam🔊I bow my head to that God

Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati🔊What then can death do to us? — the fearless refrain ending every verse

Kalamurtim🔊The very embodiment of Time

Kalajnam🔊The knower of Time (and of the right moment)

Kalanashanam🔊The destroyer of Time (and hence of death)

Virupaksham🔊The one with the odd (third) eye / many-formed eye

Nilayapradam🔊The giver of the final abode (refuge, liberation)

Vamadevam🔊Vamadeva — one of the five faces of Shiva, the beautiful and gracious aspect

Jagadgurum🔊The world-teacher (preceptor of the universe)

Vrishabhadhvajam🔊He whose banner bears the bull (Nandi)

Gangadharam🔊The bearer of the Ganga (in his matted locks)

Sarpabharana-Bhushitam🔊Adorned with serpents as ornaments

Tryaksham🔊The three-eyed one

Jata-Mukuta-Dharinam🔊Wearing a crown of matted locks

Bhasmoddhulita-Sarvangam🔊All his limbs smeared with sacred ash

Akshamala-Dharam🔊Holding the rosary (rudraksha mala)

Kaivalya-Pada-Dayinam🔊The giver of the state of kaivalya (absolute liberation)

Svargapavarga-Dataram🔊The bestower of both heaven (svarga) and liberation (apavarga)

Kalpayur-Dehi Me Punyam Yavad-Ayur-Arogatam🔊Grant me a long life of an aeon (kalpa), merit, and freedom from disease for the whole of my life

Benefits of Chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

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Recited for protection from untimely and accidental death, like its companion the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

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Each verse's refrain 'Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati' instils profound fearlessness toward death

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Invokes Shiva as Kalanashana — the destroyer of Time itself

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Prayed for health, longevity (kalpayuh) and lifelong freedom from disease (arogata)

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A beautiful meditation on the many names and forms of Shiva, deepening devotion

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Bestows both worldly wellbeing (svarga) and ultimate liberation (apavarga/kaivalya)

How to Chant Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Brahma Muhurta, or at the bedside of the ill

Sit facing east or north before an image or Lingam of Shiva, ideally with a rudraksha mala. Recite the verses steadily, dwelling on the refrain 'Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati' as a heartfelt affirmation of fearless surrender. It is often chanted together with, or after, the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Om Tryambakam) for healing. During serious illness it is recited daily; for the dying, it is chanted at the bedside to bring peace and grace.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is a Sanskrit hymn to Lord Shiva, traditionally attributed to Sage Markandeya, beginning 'Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum Nilakantham Umapatim'. Each verse salutes Shiva by his names and ends with the refrain 'Namami Shirasa Devam, Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati' — 'I bow my head to that God; what then can death do to me?'

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is the single Vedic verse 'Om Tryambakam Yajamahe' from the Rigveda. The Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram is a separate, longer hymn of many verses ('Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum') attributed to Markandeya. Both are dedicated to Shiva as the conqueror of death and are often recited together.

Markandeya was a young sage destined to die at sixteen. On that day he embraced the Shiva Lingam in devotion; when Yama, the god of death, cast his noose, Shiva burst forth and saved him, granting him deathlessness. Hymns conquering death, including this stotra, are associated with Markandeya's victory over Yama.

It is chanted for protection from untimely death, for recovery from illness, for longevity and for fearlessness. Mondays, Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri are especially auspicious. It is also recited at the bedside of the seriously ill and the dying to invoke Shiva's grace and a peaceful, fearless state.