Exploring Shiva Mrityunjaya's Dhyana Shloka

oṃ candrārkāgni-vilocanaṃ smita-mukhaṃ padmadvayāntaḥ sthitaṃ
mudrā-pāśa-mṛgākṣa-sūtra vilasat pāṇi himāṃśuprabham
koṭīrendugalant-sudhāsnuta-tanuṃ hārādi-bhūṣojjvalaṃ
kāntyā-viśva-vimohanaṃ paśupatiṃ mṛtyuñjayaṃ bhāvayet ॥

Om! I meditate on the One who has eyes in the form of the Sun, Moon and Fire, a smiling face, who is in the lotus, who shows mudra and holds noose, an antelope (mriga) and a rudraksha bead. The one who enchants the entire universe with his brilliance, whose body is washed by countless rays of lunar nectar, who shines like the peaks of the Himalayas, adorned with a garland of flowers, the conqueror of death.

The dhyana shloka of the mula mantra of Shiva Mrityunjaya begins with the description of his 3 eyes, which are in the form of Sun, Moon, and Fire. This description encodes a vast amount of symbolism that is potent for the understanding of Mrityunjaya's mantra. First, we can see the Sun as that which heats up and burns the karmas, Fire as that which burns everything to ashes, and finally the Moon as that which cools down and brings joy to the devotee in the form of lunar nectar or Amrita. We can also take these 3 eyes to symbolize the 3 mandalas in the human body - Agni Mandala in the lower belly area, Surya Mandala in the central area of the body, and Soma Mandala in the head area. Lastly, we can also take these 3 eyes to symbolize the 3 major nadis in the human body. The Moon and Sun are associated with the Ida and Pingala nadis, as we commonly understand through Ha-Tha yoga. Ha represents the Sun and Tha represents the Moon and through Hatha Yoga, the yogi transcends both of these and moves the Prana into the Sushumna nadi. The Fire represents the fire of Kundalini that awakens and rises through the Sushumna nadi.

Next, we can analyze some of the things he is holding - such as the Mriga or deer. The deer symbolizes the perception of Anahata Nada. The deer, in anticipation of any predators or hunters, constantly and very sensitively listens to any noises and rustles. Similarly, the sadhaka always pays attention to the subtlest sounds that get revealed during his sadhana. Mrityunjaya awakens this possibility for us. He is also seen as holding a pasha or noose. This pasha can symbolize the binding power of Mrityunjaya, allowing us to have control over rash actions or negative, animalistic behaviors. The pasha can also symbolize Mrityunjaya's control over our spiritual journey, because he ensures that we are successful and stay on our path. As life brings obstacles and various circumstances, Mrityunjaya ensures that we never stray from our yogic path. He also displays the Abhaya mudra, which denotes his ability to remove fear for his devotees, specifically the fear of death. Lastly, he holds a rudraksha mala, which symbolizes mantra japa and the immersion into oneself through the repetition of the mantra. It is also a symbol of speech and sounds. 

The last part that I will mention is Mrityunjaya's body which is dripping in lunar nectar. This lunar nectar is the Amrita that flows from the Soma Mandala. Shiva is often seen with a moon and the river Ganga on his head, both of which symbolize the cooling, joyous nature of the Amrita. Mrityunjaya allows this Amrita to flow through his Anugraha-Shakti, flowing down from the top of the head through the Sushumna Nadi. This graceful Shakti removes all of the veiling power of Maya and allows the devotee to see clearly and see the Truth about this world. We are all constantly drowning in the illusory nature of Maya but it is this grace of Mrityunjaya that saves us from death. While it can physically manifest itself as a physical saving of death, the true meaning of Mrityunjaya is that which saves us from Avidya. We no longer remain ignorant of the nature of this world and we begin to see all as Shiva and that which is the cycle of life and death can not touch one who has this realization. Death is only an issue for someone who is attached to this body. 

Jai Shiva Mrityunjaya! Jai Shiv Gorakh!