Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
मृत्युञ्जय-विद्या-प्रादुर्भावः
The Manifestation/Transmission of the Mṛtyuñjaya Vidyā
इति ते कथितं व्यास यथा प्राप्ता तपोबलात् । मृत्युंजयाभिधा विद्या किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि
iti te kathitaṃ vyāsa yathā prāptā tapobalāt | mṛtyuṃjayābhidhā vidyā kimanyacchrotumicchasi
Demikianlah, wahai Vyāsa, telah kukhabarkan kepadamu bagaimana ilmu suci bernama “Mṛtyuṃjayā” diperoleh melalui kekuatan tapa. Apalagi yang ingin engkau dengar?
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Nīlakaṇṭha
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: Mṛtyuṃjaya-vidyā is thematically tied to healing and conquest of death; Vaidyanātha (the ‘Lord as Physician’) is widely associated with relief from disease and fear of death, aligning with Mṛtyuṃjaya traditions (though this verse itself is a narrative closure).
Significance: Pilgrimage and worship are sought for ārogya (health), longevity, and mitigation of mṛtyu-bhaya through Śiva’s grace.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse seals the teaching by stressing that liberating mantra-knowledge (vidyā) is gained through tapas and grace, pointing to Śiva as Mṛtyuṃjaya—the Lord who transcends death and grants freedom from bondage.
By naming the vidyā as “Mṛtyuṃjayā,” it directs devotion to Saguna Śiva as the compassionate Lord who protects devotees; such mantra-vidyā is traditionally practiced alongside Linga worship, where Śiva is approached as Pati (the Lord) who removes pāśa (bondage).
A clear takeaway is disciplined japa of the Mṛtyuṃjaya mantra supported by tapas—regular repetition with purity, devotion to Śiva, and steady inner concentration (dhyāna) to overcome fear of death and deepen liberation-oriented bhakti.