How was the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra created?

Mrikanda Rishi, an ardent devotee of Shiva, was unhappy because he was childless. Vidhata did not give them child yoga.

Mrikanda thought that Mahadeva could change all the laws of the world. So why not please Bholenath and get this law changed.

Mukund did a lot of penance. Bholenath knew the reason for the penance of Mrikanda, so he did not give darshan immediately, but the naive succumb to the devotion of the devotee.

Mahadeva was pleased. He told the sage that I am giving you the boon of a son by changing the law, but with this boon there will be sadness along with happiness.

Bholenath gave birth to a son named Markandeya. Astrologers told Mrikanda that this strange child is short-lived. It is only 12 years old.

Rishi’s joy turned into sadness. Mrikanda assured his wife that the child born by the grace of God would be protected by the naive. Changing destiny is an easy task for them.

When Markandeya grew up, his father taught him the Shiva mantra. Markandeya’s mother was worried about the child’s age. He told Markandeya about his short life.

Markandeya decided that for the happiness of his parents, he would take the boon of long life from the same Sadashiva God who gave life. Twelve years had come to an end.

Markandeya composed the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for the worship of Shiva and started chanting it unceasingly sitting in the Shiva temple.

“ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्।

“Om Trimbakam Yajamahe Sugandhi Pushtivardhanam.
Urvarukamiv Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat.

When the time was up, Yamdoot came to pick them up. When the Yamdoots saw that the child was worshipping Mahakal, they waited for a while. Markandeya had taken the resolution of unbroken chanting.

The Yamdutas did not dare to touch Markandeya and returned. They told Yamraj that they could not muster the courage to reach the boy.

To this Yamraj said, “I will bring the son of Mrikanda myself.” Yamraj reached Markandeya.

When the boy Markandeya saw Yamraj, he clung to the Shivlinga while chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra loudly.

When Yamraj tried to pull the child from the Shivling, the temple started trembling with a loud shout. Yamraj’s eyes were kissed by a great light.

Mahakal himself appeared from the Shivling. He cautioned Yamraj with a trident in his hand and asked, “How did you dare to pull a devotee absorbed in my sadhana?”

Yamraj Mahakal began to tremble violently. “I am your servant,” he said. You have entrusted me with the cruel task of losing life from living beings.

When Lord Chandra Shekhar’s anger subsided, he said – I am pleased with the praise of my devotee and I have given him the boon of long life. You can’t take it.

Yama said – Lord your command is paramount. I will not disturb anyone who recites the Mahamrityunjaya composed by your devotee Markandeya.

By the grace of Mahakal, Markandeya lived a long life. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra composed by him also defeats time. By reciting Mahamrityunjaya on Monday, Lord Shiva is blessed and many incurable diseases, mental agony are relieved.