Mahamrityunjaya Stotram by Markandeya (13 Verses)
The Markandeya Mahamrityunjaya Stotram — 13-verse hymn beginning Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum, composed by Sage Markandeya who conquered death through Shiva's grace. Recite for health and longevity; pair with the [Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra](/en/stotras/maha-mrityunjaya-mantra) for japa.
Chaupai 1
रुद्रं पशुपतिं स्थाणुं नीलकण्ठमुमापतिम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Rudram Pashupatim Sthanum Neelakantham Umapatim | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Lord Rudra, Pashupati, the immovable Sthanu, the blue-throated consort of Uma — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 2
नीलकण्ठं कालमूर्त्तिं कालज्ञं कालनाशनम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Neelakantham Kalamurttim Kalajnyam Kalanashanam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
The blue-throated one, embodiment of time, knower of time, destroyer of time — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 3
नीलकण्ठं विरूपाक्षं निर्मलं निलयप्रदम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Neelakantham Virupaksham Nirmalam Nilayapradam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
The blue-throated, odd-eyed, pure one who grants abode — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 4
वामदेवं महादेवं लोकनाथं जगद्गुरुम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Vamadevam Mahadevam Lokanatham Jagadgurum | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Vamadeva, Mahadeva, lord of the worlds, guru of the universe — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 5
देवदेवं जगन्नाथं देवेशं वृषभध्वजम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Devadevam Jagannatham Devesham Vrishabhadhwajam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
God of gods, Jagannatha, lord of deities, bearer of the bull banner — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 6
त्र्यक्षं चतुर्भुजं शान्तं जटामकुटधारिणम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Tryaksham Chaturbhujam Shantam Jatamakutadharinam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Three-eyed, four-armed, peaceful one with matted locks and crown — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 7
भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गं नागाभरणभूषितम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Bhasmoddhulitasarvangam Nagabharanabhooshitam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Whose entire body is smeared with ash, adorned with serpent ornaments — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 8
अनन्तमव्ययं शान्तं अक्षमालाधरं हरम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Anantamavyayam Shantam Akshamala Dharam Haram | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Infinite, imperishable, peaceful Hara who holds the rosary of aksha beads — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 9
आनन्दं परमं नित्यं कैवल्यपददायिनम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Anandam Paramam Nityam Kaivalyapadadayinam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Supreme bliss, eternal, giver of the state of kaivalya (liberation) — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 10
अर्द्धनारीश्वरं देवं पार्वतीप्राणनायकम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Arddhanarishvaram Devam Parvati Prananayakam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Ardhanarishvara, lord who is the life-breath of Parvati — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 11
प्रलयस्थितिकर्त्तारमादिकर्त्तारमीश्वरम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Pralayasthiti Karttaram Adikarttaram Ishvaram | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Creator of dissolution, sustenance, and origin — the primordial Ishvara — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 12
व्योमकेशं विरूपाक्षं चन्द्रार्द्धकृतशेखरम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Vyomakesham Virupaksham Chandrarddha Kritshekharam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Sky-haired, odd-eyed one with the crescent moon adorning his crown — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
Chaupai 13
गङ्गाधरं शशिधरं शङ्करं शूलपाणिनम् । नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥
Gangadharan Shashidharan Shankaram Shoolapaninam | Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mrityuh Karishyati ||
Bearer of Ganga, moon-crowned Shankara with trident in hand — I bow my head to the Lord — what can death do to us?
About Mahamrityunjaya Stotram (Markandeya)
Mahamrityunjaya Stotram (Markandeya) is one of the most revered devotional hymns in the Hindu tradition, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mrityunjaya. Recited by millions of devotees, it invokes divine grace, mental steadiness, and protection from negative influences.
Benefits of Recitation
- 13-verse hymn by Sage Markandeya — who conquered Yama through devotion to Shiva
- Each verse ends with 'Kim no mrityuh karishyati' — what can death do to us?
- Distinct from the single-verse Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Rigveda 7.59.12)
- Traditionally recited for Apamrityu protection, disease removal, and longevity
Best Time and Method
Recite the full 13 verses once or thrice on Monday, Maha Shivaratri, or Shravan Somvar. Face north. Offer bilva leaves and water to Shiva linga. For health sankalpa, recite daily for 41 days alongside 108 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra japa.
Astrological Significance
Regular recitation aligns the mind with dharmic discipline — the foundation of all Vedic remedies. Pair this practice with honest conduct, seva (selfless service), and consistency rather than fear-based ritual alone.
Mantra vs Stotram: The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a single Vedic verse for counted japa (108, 1008, or 125,000). This stotram is a continuous hymn — recite it as parayana, then repeat the mantra 108 times within or after.
During Saturn periods affecting health (8th-from-Moon Dhaiya), combine with Shani Remedies. See Saturn Transit Effects for timing.