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"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat""
""ॐ त्र्यंबकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनं | उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान मृत्योर मुक्षिय् माम्रतात् |""
The Sawa Lakh (1,25,000) Mahamrityunjaya Jaap Puja is a Vedic ritual possessing the power to conquer even death itself. In moments when all avenues of hope in life seem closed—when doctors, often revered as divine figures, declare that the need is no longer for medicine but for prayer; when physical suffering intensifies; when adverse consequences manifest during the *Mahadasha* (major planetary periods) of Saturn, Rahu, or Mars; when one's own family and kin become obstacles in one's path; when accidents recur frequently; or when it begins to feel as though death itself is relentlessly pursuing you—the 1.25 Lakh Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap serves as the ultimate divine weapon ("Brahmastra") for human life. In other words, when life seems to offer nothing but despair and existence itself begins to feel like an unbearable burden, the Mahamrityunjaya Jaap emerges as a radiant ray of hope.
Before delving into the Mahamrityunjaya Jaap, one must first understand the concept of MRITYUNJAYA. "Mrityunjaya" literally translates to "the Conqueror of Death." According to "Sanatan Dharma" (Hinduism), while references exist to 330 million deities, the "Trimurti"—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh—are primarily regarded as the principal deities of the cosmos. These three are collectively referred to as "GOD," an acronym representing their respective roles:
G – GENERATION OF THE UNIVERSE (LORD BRAHMA)
O – OPERATOR OF THE UNIVERSE (LORD VISHNU)
D – DESTROYER OF THE UNIVERSE (LORD SHIVA OR BABA)
Lord Shiva is also known as the Destroyer of the Universe. This explains why, during the "*Satya*"SATYUG", "TRETA", and "DWAPURA" "YUG" (epochs), whenever a demon committed the folly of believing themselves immortal by virtue of a divine boon, it was ultimately Lord Shiva who brought about their destruction. Figures such as Tarakasura, Andhakasura, Shankhachuda, and Dushana serve as prime examples of this truth; conversely, those who devoted themselves to Lord Shiva never experienced the fear of death—not even in their dreams.
The Mahamrityunjaya is a mantra of such immense potency dedicated to Lord Shiva that, upon being pleased by its recitation, the "Mrityunjaya" (Conqueror of Death) bestows the boon of fearlessness (Abhayadan) upon the devotees. Such is the power of this mantra that even the God of Death (Yama) stands in awe of it and grants an extension to the devotee's lifespan.
According to the scriptures, every individual must perform the Mahamrityunjaya chant at some point in their life. Since human life is attained—after passing through countless lower forms of existence—as a result of performing virtuous deeds, this life is granted to experience the karmic consequences of past births and to attain liberation from the cycle of life and death. Only Lord Mrityunjaya (the Conqueror of Death) can grant liberation from this cycle. The Mahamrityunjaya chant is a form of worship in which all divine powers are enshrined; therefore, it is most frequently performed for specific purposes. Some of the key instances for performing this ritual are as follows:
Whether it involves any form of worship or observing fasts dedicated to specific deities, one always seeks out an auspicious day or a propitious time (*Muhurat*). Therefore, it is essential to remember that the *Sawa Lakh* Mahamrityunjaya Japa is a highly specialized form of worship; consequently, it requires specific, designated auspicious times. When discussing specialized forms of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva, three rituals stand out as the most profound methods of venerating the Supreme Lord of the Universe: the *Ati Rudrabhishek* (a ritual performed by approximately 121 Brahmins over a period of 11 days); the *Maha Rudrabhishek* (which can be performed by approximately 132 Brahmins within a single day); and the *Sawa Lakh* Mahamrityunjaya Japa (which can be completed by approximately 45 Brahmins in one day).
Whenever the auspicious time for the *Sawa Lakh* Mahamrityunjaya Japa is being determined, the very first step is to ascertain the specific abode (*Vaas*) of Lord Shiva. Based on the following lunar dates (*Tithis*), one can determine when and where Lord Shiva resides:
| Krishna Paksh Tithi | Shukl Paksh Tithi | Shiva Vas | Fal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pratipada, Ashthmi, Amavasya (1, 8, 30) | Dwitiya, Navami (2, 9) | Presence of Mother Gauri (गौरी सानिध्य) | Luxury Goods (सुख-सम्पदा) |
| Dwitiya, Navami (2, 9) | Tritiya, Dashami (3, 10) | Gathering (सभा) | Warmth (ताप) |
| Tritiya, Dashami (3, 10) | Chaturthi, Edadashi (4, 11) | Divine Play (क्रीड़ा) | Distress (कष्ट) |
| Chaturthi, Edadashi (4, 11) | Panchmi, Dwadashi (5, 12) | Mount Kailash (कैलाश पर्वत) | Happiness, Fulfillment of Desires (सुख एवं मनोरथपूर्ति) |
| Panchmi, Dwadashi (5, 12) | Shashthi, Triyodashi (6, 13) | Riding Nandi (नंदी की सवारी) | Attainment of Objectives (अभीष्ट सिद्धि ) |
| Shashthi, Triyodashi (6, 13) | Saptami, Chaturdashi (7, 14) | Food (भोजन) | Suffering (पीड़ा) |
| Saptami, Chaturdashi (7, 14) | Pratipada, Ashthmi, Purnima (1, 8, 15) | Cremation Ground (शमशान) | Death-like Suffering (मरण तुल्य) |
Thus, based on the table provided above, the location of Lord Shiva's abode must be the primary consideration.
Subsequently, one must also carefully ascertain the *Agni Vaas* (the abode of the sacred fire), as any specialized form of worship invariably concludes with a *Havan* (sacrificial fire ritual); for a *Havan*, the presence of a favorable *Agni Vaas* is considered highly auspicious. Furthermore, the auspiciousness of the occasion is significantly enhanced if one also takes into account factors such as the *Yoga*, *Karan*, *Vishti*, and *Panchak* periods. Therefore, the auspicious time for the *Sawa Lakh* Mahamrityunjaya Japa is determined based on the aforementioned information, thereby ensuring that the practitioner receives the full and complete spiritual benefits of the ritual.
While it is considered most auspicious for an individual (Jataka) to perform the Mahamrityunjaya Japa at their own residence—provided they perform it personally—the ideal location differs if one wishes to have the Sawa Lakh Mahamrityunjaya Jaap performed by Brahmins with a formal "Sankalpa" (sacred resolve). In such cases, the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva are considered the most excellent venues. It is generally deemed superior to select a specific location based on the particular objective; for instance: if the horoscope indicates issues related to Rahu, Ketu, or Kaal Sarpa Dosha, the "Sawa Lakh Mahamrityunjaya Jaap" should be performed at the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga; if the horoscope contains "Kemadruma Dosha", it should be performed at the Somnath Jyotirlinga; for relief from illnesses, it should be performed at the Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga; similarly, if one is facing life-threatening distress, seeks the boon of fearlessness ("Abhaya Daan"), or is plagued by recurring accidents, the Sava Lakh Mahamrityunjaya Jaap should be performed at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Ujjain.
Before undertaking the Sava Lakh Mahamrityunjaya Jaap, one crucial point must be kept in mind. While many people suggest that five Brahmins should perform the Jaap continuously over seven days, it is actually considered more beneficial—and yields greater results—if the entire Sawa Lakh count is completed in a single, uninterrupted session. This is because, when the ritual spans multiple days, it becomes difficult to verify whether the necessary standards of purity and sanctity are being strictly maintained within the homes of the participating priests ("Pandits") throughout that entire duration. Consequently, most knowledgeable experts and Vardani Pandit Ji recommend completing the entire Sawa Lakh Mahamrityunjaya Jaap within a single day.
The idea of performing the 1,25,000 Mahamrityunjaya Jaap typically occurs to people when they are facing a life-threatening crisis or suffering akin to death. Consequently, when selecting a venue for such a ritual, the name of Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, invariably comes to mind first. There are three primary reasons for this:
According to the first reason:
"Akashe Tarak Lingam, Patale Hatakeshwaram |Mrityu Loke Mahakalam, Triyam Lingam Namostute
"आकाशे तारक लिंगम, पाताले हाटकेश्वरम | मृत्यु लोके महाकालं, त्रियं लिंगम नमोस्तुते || "
According to the second reason:
“Akal Mrityu Vo Mare Jo Karma Kare Chandal Ka | Kaal Uska Kya Kare Jo Bhakt Ho Mahakal Ka."
""अकाल मृत्यु वो मरे जो कर्म करे चांडाल का | काल उसका क्या करे जो भक्त हो महाकाल का" ||"
The third—and most significant—reason is as follows:
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is the only South-facing Jyotirlinga on Earth. According to the scriptures, the southern direction is designated as the domain of Yama, the Deity of Death (also known as "Kaal"). Since Mahakal's sanctum faces the south, it carries a profound significance: when the 1,25,000 Mahamrityunjaya Jaap is performed here—invoking a specific name and "Gotra" (lineage)—"Kaal", the Deity of Death, personally safeguards that individual's life and protects them even from the clutches of untimely death.
If you wish to perform the 1.25 lakh Mahamrityunjaya chants in Ujjain, it is crucial to keep one thing in mind right from the start: Ujjain (also known as Avantika) is often referred to as the "City of Illusions." Consequently, whenever devotees arrive here to perform these chants, people from various ghats (riverbanks) never miss an opportunity to offer their own distinct—and often conflicting—advice. Ultimately, visitors frequently get entangled in these arguments and end up missing the opportunity to perform the worship at the most authentic and primary location. Therefore, the first step is to clearly understand which venue constitutes the absolute best place to perform special worship of Lord Shiva whenever one visits Ujjain. The following locations are considered the primary and most significant sites for performing the 1.25 lakh Mahamrityunjaya chants in Ujjain:
If your horoscope contains any kind of astrological affliction (Dosha), and you are traveling to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar, Gaya, Prayagraj, Banaras, Haridwar, Brahmakapal, or any other sacred site to perform rituals, you should, at the very least, ensure—prior to the ceremony—that your worship is conducted exclusively by a *Vardani Pandit Ji*. Do you know who *Vardani Pandit Ji* is? You will find the answer below.
Ujjain is revered as the City of Mahakal—the abode where the King of the Earth, the "Lord of Time" (Kaal), Mahakal himself, resides. Consequently, people travel to Ujjain with immense reverence—not only from across the country but also from abroad—to perform rituals for the alleviation of various astrological afflictions (Kundali Doshas), such as Kaal Sarpa Dosha, Pitra Dosha, Mangal Dosha, and Chandal Dosha; having received the blessings of Mahakal, they return home. Indeed, apart from Trimbakeshwar, if there is any other destination specifically dedicated to the remedy of Kaal Sarpa Dosha, it is none other than Ujjain.
Book NowMangal Dosha is an affliction that strips away auspiciousness from people's lives, rendering them inauspicious. Since Mars is regarded as the Commander-in-Chief of the planets, performing Mangal Puja (worship of Mars) is not deemed necessary solely when one's horoscope contains Mangal Dosha. Those who seek happiness and auspiciousness in life—whether they find themselves held back by a lack of courage or aspire to assume leadership roles—invariably visit Sri Angareshwar, a prominent pilgrimage site dedicated to the planet Mars, which is believed to be the very place where the planet Mars was born.
Book NowKemadruma Dosha is an affliction possessing the power to nullify all forms of Raja Yogas (royal combinations) present in a horoscope; for this very reason, it is described as the "King" of all astrological afflictions. Under the influence of Kemadruma Dosha, individuals experience mental distress, anxiety, and restlessness. Consequently, those afflicted by this Dosha often fall prey to depression or develop other mental health-related issues. To mitigate the effects of Kemadruma Dosha, one must undoubtedly perform the Chandra Jaap including the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Book NowNear Mahakaleshwar Temple, Jaisinghpura, District. Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) - 456006
