Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
The “life-restoring” armour of Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death — a prayer that calls on a different form of Shiva to guard each of the ten directions and every part of the body, and promises freedom from untimely death and disease.
Attributed to the sage Vasishtha (named in the closing line)
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Mrita Sanjeevana Stotram
Son of Kali · Sacred Shiva Chants
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
एवमाराध्य गौरीशं देवं मृत्युञ्जयेश्वरम् ।
Evamaradhya Gaurisham Devam Mrityunjayeshvaram
evamārādhya gaurīśaṃ devaṃ mṛtyuñjayeśvaram
Having worshipped in this way Gauri’s Lord, the god Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death,
मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम्ना कवचं प्रजपेत्सदा ॥ १ ॥
Mritasanjivanam Namna Kavacham Prajapetsada
mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāmnā kavacaṃ prajapetsadā
one should always recite the kavacham known as Mrita Sanjeevana.
सारात्सारतरं पुण्यं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं शुभम् ।
Saratsarataram Punyam Guhyadguhyataram Shubham
sārātsārataraṃ puṇyaṃ guhyādguhyataraṃ śubham
It is the essence of essences, holy, the most secret of secrets and auspicious —
महादेवस्य कवचं मृतसञ्जीवनाभिधम् ॥ २ ॥
Mahadevasya Kavacham Mritasanjivanabhidham
mahādevasya kavacaṃ mṛtasañjīvanābhidham
the armour of Mahadeva named Mrita Sanjeevana.
समाहितमना भूत्वा शृणुष्व कवचं शुभम् ।
Samahitamana Bhutva Shrinushva Kavacham Shubham
samāhitamanā bhūtvā śṛṇuṣva kavacaṃ śubham
With a collected mind, listen to this auspicious armour;
शृत्वैतद्दिव्य कवचं रहस्यं कुरु सर्वदा ॥ ३ ॥
Shritvaitaddivya Kavacham Rahasyam Kuru Sarvada
śṛtvaitaddivya kavacaṃ rahasyaṃ kuru sarvadā
having heard this divine armour, keep it always as a sacred secret.
वराभयकरो यज्वा सर्वदेवनिषेवितः ।
Varabhayakaro Yajva Sarvadevanishevitah
varābhayakaro yajvā sarvadevaniṣevitaḥ
He who grants boons and fearlessness, the sacrificer, served by all the gods —
मृत्युञ्जयो महादेवः प्राच्यां मां पातु सर्वदा ॥ ४ ॥
Mrityunjayo Mahadevah Prachyam Mam Patu Sarvada
mṛtyuñjayo mahādevaḥ prācyāṃ māṃ pātu sarvadā
may Mahadeva Mrityunjaya always protect me in the east.
दधानः शक्तिमभयां त्रिमुखं षड्भुजः प्रभुः ।
Dadhanah Shaktimabhayam Trimukham Shadbhujah Prabhuh
dadhānaḥ śaktimabhayāṃ trimukhaṃ ṣaḍbhujaḥ prabhuḥ
Holding power and fearlessness, three-faced and six-armed, the Lord —
सदाशिवोऽग्निरूपी मामाग्नेय्यां पातु सर्वदा ॥ ५ ॥
Sadashivognirupi Mamagneyyam Patu Sarvada
sadāśivo'gnirūpī māmāgneyyāṃ pātu sarvadā
may Sadashiva in the form of Agni always protect me in the south-east.
अष्टादशभुजोपेतो दण्डाभयकरो विभुः ।
Ashtadashabhujopeto Dandabhayakaro Vibhuh
aṣṭādaśabhujopeto daṇḍābhayakaro vibhuḥ
Eighteen-armed, holding the staff and showing fearlessness, the all-pervading —
यमरूपी महादेवो दक्षिणस्यां सदाऽवतु ॥ ६ ॥
Yamarupi Mahadevo Dakshinasyam Sadavatu
yamarūpī mahādevo dakṣiṇasyāṃ sadā'vatu
may Mahadeva in the form of Yama always guard me in the south.
खड्गाभयकरो धीरो रक्षोगणनिषेवितः ।
Khadgabhayakaro Dhiro Rakshogananishevitah
khaḍgābhayakaro dhīro rakṣogaṇaniṣevitaḥ
Holding a sword and showing fearlessness, steadfast, attended by hosts of spirits —
रक्षोरूपी महेशो मां नैरृत्यां सर्वदाऽवतु ॥ ७ ॥
Rakshorupi Mahesho Mam Nairrityam Sarvadavatu
rakṣorūpī maheśo māṃ nairṛtyāṃ sarvadā'vatu
may Mahesha in the form of the rakshasa lord always guard me in the south-west.
पाशाभयभुजः सर्वरत्नाकरनिषेवितः ।
Pashabhayabhujah Sarvaratnakaranishevitah
pāśābhayabhujaḥ sarvaratnākaraniṣevitaḥ
His hand holding the noose and showing fearlessness, served by the ocean, mine of all jewels —
वरुणात्मा महादेवः पश्चिमे मां सदाऽवतु ॥ ८ ॥
Varunatma Mahadevah Pashchime Mam Sadavatu
varuṇātmā mahādevaḥ paścime māṃ sadā'vatu
may Mahadeva, whose self is Varuna, always guard me in the west.
गदाभयकरः प्राणनायकः सर्वदागतिः ।
Gadabhayakarah Prananayakah Sarvadagatih
gadābhayakaraḥ prāṇanāyakaḥ sarvadāgatiḥ
Holding the mace and showing fearlessness, lord of the life-breath, ever-moving —
वायव्यां मारुतात्मा मां शङ्करः पातु सर्वदा ॥ ९ ॥
Vayavyam Marutatma Mam Shankarah Patu Sarvada
vāyavyāṃ mārutātmā māṃ śaṅkaraḥ pātu sarvadā
may Shankara, whose self is the wind, always protect me in the north-west.
शङ्खाभयकरस्थो मां नायकः परमेश्वरः ।
Shankhabhayakarastho Mam Nayakah Parameshvarah
śaṅkhābhayakarastho māṃ nāyakaḥ parameśvaraḥ
Holding the conch and showing fearlessness, the leader, the supreme Lord —
सर्वात्मान्तरदिग्भागे पातु मां शङ्करः प्रभुः ॥ १० ॥
Sarvatmantaradigbhage Patu Mam Shankarah Prabhuh
sarvātmāntaradigbhāge pātu māṃ śaṅkaraḥ prabhuḥ
may Lord Shankara, the Self within all, protect me in the northern quarter.
शूलाभयकरः सर्वविद्यानमधिनायकः ।
Shulabhayakarah Sarvavidyanamadhinayakah
śūlābhayakaraḥ sarvavidyānamadhināyakaḥ
Holding the trident and showing fearlessness, master of all knowledge —
ईशानात्मा तथैशान्यां पातु मां परमेश्वरः ॥ ११ ॥
Ishanatma Tathaishanyam Patu Mam Parameshvarah
īśānātmā tathaiśānyāṃ pātu māṃ parameśvaraḥ
may the supreme Lord, as Ishana, likewise protect me in the north-east.
ऊर्ध्वभागे ब्रह्मरूपी विश्वात्माऽधः सदाऽवतु ।
Urdhvabhage Brahmarupi Vishvatmadhah Sadavatu
ūrdhvabhāge brahmarūpī viśvātmā'dhaḥ sadā'vatu
Above, may he in the form of Brahma, and below, the Self of the universe, always guard me.
शिरो मे शङ्करः पातु ललाटं चन्द्रशेखरः ॥ १२ ॥
Shiro Me Shankarah Patu Lalatam Chandrashekharah
śiro me śaṅkaraḥ pātu lalāṭaṃ candraśekharaḥ
May Shankara protect my head, and the moon-crested one my forehead.
भ्रूमध्यं सर्वलोकेशस्त्रिनेत्रो लोचनेऽवतु ।
Bhrumadhyam Sarvalokeshastrinetro Lochanevatu
bhrūmadhyaṃ sarvalokeśastrinetro locane'vatu
The lord of all worlds, my brow-centre; the three-eyed one, my eyes;
भ्रूयुग्मं गिरिशः पातु कर्णौ पातु महेश्वरः ॥ १३ ॥
Bhruyugmam Girishah Patu Karnau Patu Maheshvarah
bhrūyugmaṃ giriśaḥ pātu karṇau pātu maheśvaraḥ
the mountain-dweller, my eyebrows; and Maheshvara, my ears.
नासिकां मे महादेव ओष्ठौ पातु वृषध्वजः ।
Nasikam Me Mahadeva Oshthau Patu Vrishadhvajah
nāsikāṃ me mahādeva oṣṭhau pātu vṛṣadhvajaḥ
Mahadeva, my nose; the one with the bull banner, my lips;
जिह्वां मे दक्षिणामूर्तिर्दन्तान्मे गिरिशोऽवतु ॥ १४ ॥
Jihvam Me Dakshinamurtirdantanme Girishovatu
jihvāṃ me dakṣiṇāmūrtirdantānme giriśo'vatu
Dakshinamurti, my tongue; and the lord of the mountain, my teeth.
मृत्युञ्जयो मुखं पातु कण्ठं मे नागभूषणः ।
Mrityunjayo Mukham Patu Kantham Me Nagabhushanah
mṛtyuñjayo mukhaṃ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ me nāgabhūṣaṇaḥ
May Mrityunjaya protect my face, and the one adorned with serpents my throat;
पिनाकी मत्करौ पातु त्रिशूली हृदयं मम ॥ १५ ॥
Pinaki Matkarau Patu Trishuli Hridayam Mama
pinākī matkarau pātu triśūlī hṛdayaṃ mama
the bearer of the Pinaka bow, my hands; the trident-bearer, my heart.
पञ्चवक्त्रः स्तनौ पातु उदरं जगदीश्वरः ।
Panchavaktrah Stanau Patu Udaram Jagadishvarah
pañcavaktraḥ stanau pātu udaraṃ jagadīśvaraḥ
The five-faced one, my chest; the Lord of the universe, my belly;
नाभिं पातु विरूपाक्षः पार्श्वौ मे पार्वतीपतिः ॥ १६ ॥
Nabhim Patu Virupakshah Parshvau Me Parvatipatih
nābhiṃ pātu virūpākṣaḥ pārśvau me pārvatīpatiḥ
the one with unusual eyes, my navel; Parvati’s husband, my sides.
कटिद्वयं गिरीशो मे पृष्ठं मे प्रमथाधिपः ।
Katidvayam Girisho Me Prishtham Me Pramathadhipah
kaṭidvayaṃ girīśo me pṛṣṭhaṃ me pramathādhipaḥ
The mountain lord, my hips; the lord of the pramathas, my back;
गुह्यं महेश्वरः पातु ममोरू पातु भैरवः ॥ १७ ॥
Guhyam Maheshvarah Patu Mamoru Patu Bhairavah
guhyaṃ maheśvaraḥ pātu mamorū pātu bhairavaḥ
Maheshvara, my private parts; Bhairava, my thighs.
जानुनी मे जगद्धर्ता जङ्घे मे जगदम्बिका ।
Januni Me Jagaddharta Janghe Me Jagadambika
jānunī me jagaddhartā jaṅghe me jagadambikā
The upholder of the world, my knees; the Mother of the world, my shins;
पादौ मे सततं पातु लोकवन्द्यः सदाशिवः ॥ १८ ॥
Padau Me Satatam Patu Lokavandyah Sadashivah
pādau me satataṃ pātu lokavandyaḥ sadāśivaḥ
and may Sadashiva, revered by all the worlds, always protect my feet.
गिरिशः पातु मे भार्यां भवः पातु सुतान्मम ।
Girishah Patu Me Bharyam Bhavah Patu Sutanmama
giriśaḥ pātu me bhāryāṃ bhavaḥ pātu sutānmama
May Girisha protect my wife, and Bhava my children;
मृत्युञ्जयो ममायुष्यं चित्तं मे गणनायकः ॥ १९ ॥
Mrityunjayo Mamayushyam Chittam Me Gananayakah
mṛtyuñjayo mamāyuṣyaṃ cittaṃ me gaṇanāyakaḥ
Mrityunjaya, my life-span; and the lord of the ganas, my mind.
सर्वाङ्गं मे सदा पातु कालकालः सदाशिवः ।
Sarvangam Me Sada Patu Kalakalah Sadashivah
sarvāṅgaṃ me sadā pātu kālakālaḥ sadāśivaḥ
May Sadashiva, the Death of Death, always protect all my limbs.
एतत्ते कवचं पुण्यं देवतानां च दुर्लभम् ॥ २० ॥
Etatte Kavacham Punyam Devatanam Cha Durlabham
etatte kavacaṃ puṇyaṃ devatānāṃ ca durlabham
This is your holy armour, hard even for the gods to obtain,
मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम्ना महादेवेन कीर्तितम् ।
Mritasanjivanam Namna Mahadevena Kirtitam
mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāmnā mahādevena kīrtitam
named Mrita Sanjeevana, proclaimed by Mahadeva himself.
सहस्रावर्तनं चास्य पुरश्चरणमीरितम् ॥ २१ ॥
Sahasravartanam Chasya Purashcharanamiritam
sahasrāvartanaṃ cāsya puraścaraṇamīritam
Its full observance is said to be a thousand recitations.
यः पठेच्छृणुयान्नित्यं श्रावयेत्सुसमाहितः ।
Yah Pathecchrinuyannityam Shravayetsusamahitah
yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyānnityaṃ śrāvayetsusamāhitaḥ
Whoever reads or hears it daily, or recites it to others with a focused mind,
स कालमृत्युं निर्जित्य सदायुष्यं समश्नुते ॥ २२ ॥
Sa Kalamrityum Nirjitya Sadayushyam Samashnute
sa kālamṛtyuṃ nirjitya sadāyuṣyaṃ samaśnute
conquers untimely death and enjoys a full span of life.
हस्तेन वा यदा स्पृष्ट्वा मृतं सञ्जीवयत्यसौ ।
Hastena Va Yada Sprishtva Mritam Sanjivayatyasau
hastena vā yadā spṛṣṭvā mṛtaṃ sañjīvayatyasau
When he touches even the dead with his hand, he brings them back to life;
आधयो व्याधयस्तस्य न भवन्ति कदाचन ॥ २३ ॥
Adhayo Vyadhayastasya Na Bhavanti Kadachana
ādhayo vyādhayastasya na bhavanti kadācana
anxieties and illnesses never come to him.
कालमृत्युमपि प्राप्तमसौ जयति सर्वदा ।
Kalamrityumapi Praptamasau Jayati Sarvada
kālamṛtyumapi prāptamasau jayati sarvadā
Even when untimely death has come, he always overcomes it;
अणिमादिगुणैश्वर्यं लभते मानवोत्तमः ॥ २४ ॥
Animadigunaishvaryam Labhate Manavottamah
aṇimādiguṇaiśvaryaṃ labhate mānavottamaḥ
that best of men obtains the powers of subtlety and the rest.
युद्धारम्भे पठित्वेदमष्टाविंशतिवारकम् ।
Yuddharambhe Pathitvedamashtavimshativarakam
yuddhārambhe paṭhitvedamaṣṭāviṃśativārakam
Reciting it twenty-eight times at the start of battle,
युद्धमध्ये स्थितः शत्रुः सद्यः सर्वैर्न दृश्यते ॥ २५ ॥
Yuddhamadhye Sthitah Shatruh Sadyah Sarvairna Drishyate
yuddhamadhye sthitaḥ śatruḥ sadyaḥ sarvairna dṛśyate
standing in the midst of the fight, he is at once unseen by all his foes.
न ब्रह्मादीनि चास्त्राणि क्षयं कुर्वन्ति तस्य वै ।
Na Brahmadini Chastrani Kshayam Kurvanti Tasya Vai
na brahmādīni cāstrāṇi kṣayaṃ kurvanti tasya vai
Not even the weapons of Brahma and the gods can destroy him;
विजयं लभते देवयुद्धमध्येऽपि सर्वदा ॥ २६ ॥
Vijayam Labhate Devayuddhamadhyepi Sarvada
vijayaṃ labhate devayuddhamadhye'pi sarvadā
he wins victory always, even in the battles of the gods.
प्रातरुत्थाय सततं यः पठेत्कवचं शुभम् ।
Pratarutthaya Satatam Yah Pathetkavacham Shubham
prātarutthāya satataṃ yaḥ paṭhetkavacaṃ śubham
Whoever rises at dawn and always reads this auspicious armour
अक्षय्यं लभते सौख्यमिह लोके परत्र च ॥ २७ ॥
Akshayyam Labhate Saukhyamiha Loke Paratra Cha
akṣayyaṃ labhate saukhyamiha loke paratra ca
gains unending happiness in this world and the next.
सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मृक्तः सर्वरोगविवर्जितः ।
Sarvavyadhivinirmriktah Sarvarogavivarjitah
sarvavyādhivinirmṛktaḥ sarvarogavivarjitaḥ
Released from every affliction and free of all disease,
अजरामरणो भूत्वा सदा षोडशवार्षिकः ॥ २८ ॥
Ajaramarano Bhutva Sada Shodashavarshikah
ajarāmaraṇo bhūtvā sadā ṣoḍaśavārṣikaḥ
unageing and undying, forever like a sixteen-year-old,
विचरत्यखिलांल्लोकान्प्राप्य भोगांश्च दुर्लभान् ।
Vicharatyakhilamllokanprapya Bhogamshcha Durlabhan
vicaratyakhilāṃllokānprāpya bhogāṃśca durlabhān
he roams all the worlds, enjoying rare delights.
तस्मादिदं महागोप्यं कवचं समुदाहृतम् ॥ २९ ॥
Tasmadidam Mahagopyam Kavacham Samudahritam
tasmādidaṃ mahāgopyaṃ kavacaṃ samudāhṛtam
Therefore this most secret armour has been declared —
मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम्ना देवतैरपि दुर्लभम् ॥ ३० ॥
Mritasanjivanam Namna Devatairapi Durlabham
mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāmnā devatairapi durlabham
named Mrita Sanjeevana, hard to obtain even for the gods.
The Mrita Sanjeevana Stotram — “the hymn that brings the dead back to life” — is a kavacham, a protective armour of prayer, addressed to Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death. Tradition ascribes it to the sage Vasishtha, and it is chanted for health, long life and recovery from illness.
Like other kavachams it moves in a circle and then down the body. Verses 4 to 12 place a form of Shiva in each of the ten directions — as Indra in the east, Agni in the south-east, Yama in the south, and so on — and verses 12 to 20 ask a named form of Shiva to protect each part of the body from the head to the feet, and then one’s family, life and mind.
The closing verses describe its power: that whoever recites it daily overcomes untimely death, is free from disease and lives with the vigour of youth. Read these as the traditional praise of a prayer, and as encouragement to steady practice, not as a replacement for medical care.
Mrita means “dead” and sanjeevana means “bringing back to life.” In the epics, the Mrita Sanjeevani vidya was the secret knowledge, granted by Shiva to the sage Shukracharya, of restoring the slain to life.
This kavacham borrows that name for itself: it is “life-giving” because it calls on Shiva as the one who conquered death for his devotee Markandeya — the same Shiva of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra.
Hindu tradition guards the ten directions with ten guardian deities: Indra in the east, Agni in the south-east, Yama in the south, Nirriti in the south-west, Varuna in the west, Vayu in the north-west, Kubera in the north, Ishana in the north-east, Brahma above and Ananta below.
In this kavacham each guardian is revealed to be Shiva himself, holding that god’s weapon and showing the gesture of fearlessness — so that wherever the devotee turns, it is Shiva who protects.
When to chant
How many times
Once daily; the hymn names a thousand recitations as its full observance (purashcharana).
Sit facing east or north before an image of Shiva or a Shiva Linga.
Begin with the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra three times.
Chant the kavacham slowly, touching or picturing each part of the body as it is named.
Close with a prayer for the health of all beings.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
mṛtasañjīvana
mri-ta-sun-jee-va-na — “bringing the dead to life.”
mṛtyuñjaya
mrit-yoon-ja-ya — “the conqueror of death.”
kavacam
ka-va-chum — “armour.”
The music
by Son of Kali
What is the Mrita Sanjeevana Stotram?
A kavacham (protective prayer) to Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death, asking him to guard every direction and every part of the body. Its name means “bringing the dead back to life.”
Who composed it?
Its closing line attributes it to the sage Vasishtha.
What is it chanted for?
Traditionally for health, long life, recovery from illness and protection from untimely death.
How is it related to the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra?
Both are addressed to Shiva as Mrityunjaya. Many people chant the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra before or after this kavacham.