Mrityunjaya Trayambaka Shiva

इच्छाज्ञानक्रियारूपा सा चैका शक्तिरुत्तमा।
तया प्रकुरुते नित्यं शक्तिमान् स शिवः स्मृतः॥ Netra Tantra : २२-१८॥

Notes:
Shiva is endowed with, or, is the Lord of the TriShaktis (Iccha, Gyana, Kriya)of which His 3 eyes are representative, hence He is also known as Trayambaka or Trinetradhari.
The 3 eyes also are considered to represent the 3 channels or the Sun-Moon-Fire (चन्द्रार्क वैश्वानर लोचनाय...).
The secrets of Mrityunjaya Sadhana lie in the understanding of these 3 eyes, and how the Energy (Kundalini) rising upwards converts the Water below to Fire above.
One needs to understand as to which 'yagya' one is inviting 'Trayambaka' (त्र्यंबकम् यजामहे...) in order to attain 'Moksha' from 'Mrityu' (मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्..) and what is sacrificed in that yagya. Therein lies the secret of the Mrityunjaya Mantra.

Pranava and Panchakshara

praṇava and pañcākṣara

Vidyeshvara Samhita of Shiva Purana describes praṇava (प्रणव).
AUM (ॐ) is the subtle (sūkṣma) praṇava and pañcākṣara (पञ्चाक्षर) is the gross (स्थूल) ) praṇava.
AUM (ॐ) comprises of a+u+m+nāda+biṁdu (अ+उ+म्+नाद+बिंदु).
pañcākṣara (पञ्चाक्षर), or popularly known as the Shiva Panchakshara, is the five-syllable mantra “namaḥ śivāya” {॥ नमः शिवाय॥}.

Some shlokas from Vidyeshvara Samhita of Shiva Purana regarding praṇava and pañcākṣara:

प्रः प्रपञ्चो न नास्तीति युष्माकम् प्रणवं विदुः।
प्रकर्षेण नयेद्यस्मान्मोक्षं वः प्रणवं विदुः॥

सूक्ष्ममेकाक्षरं विद्यात्स्थूलं पञ्चाक्षरं विदुः।
सूक्ष्ममव्यक्तपञ्चार्णम् सुव्यक्तार्णम् तथेतरत्॥

अकारश्च उकारश्च मकारश्च ततः परम्।
बिन्दुनादयुतं तद्धि शब्दकालकलान्वितम्॥

शिवनाम नमः पूर्वं चतुर्थ्यां पञ्चतत्त्वकम्।
स्थूलप्रणवरूपं हि शिवपञ्चाक्षरं द्विजाः॥

Vidyeshvara Samhita further states that the best period for pañcākṣara japa is from śukla caturdaśī to kṛśṇa caturdaśī, especially during kṛśṇa caturdaśī and the months of bhādrapada and māgha.

According to Shiva Purana, māgha kṛśṇa caturdaśī is to be observed as MahaShivaratri.

Shiva and Ardra

Vidyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana mentions that worship of Shiva is especially significant during:

- Ardra Nakshatra or MahaArdra of that of aśvin kṛśṇa caturdaśī;

- MahaArdra of jyeṣṭha caturdaśī;

- Ardra Nakshatra of any tithi of margaśīrṣa.

The period of Ardra Nakshatra (Moon transiting Ardra Nakshatra) comes at least once in a solar month.

MahaArdra is the period of Ardra Nakshatra coinciding with Surya Sankranti (transit of Sun from one zodiac sign / rasi to next).

According to Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva appeared as a Pillar/Column of Light in the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.:

यत्पुनः स्तम्भरूपेण स्वाविरासमहं पुरा।

स कालो मार्गशीर्षे तु स्यादार्द्राऋक्षमर्भकौ॥

Shiva says (Ref: Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva Purana) that whosover sees me and Uma on this day and seeks (refuge in) my insignia is dearer to me than even Guha (Kartikeya, Shiva’s son):

आर्द्रार्यां मार्गशीर्षे तु यः पश्येमामुमासखम्।

मद्वेरमपि वा लिङ्गं स गुहादपि मे प्रियः॥

Ardra-Darshana is observed during the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.

Kalabhairava Ashtami

Kalabhairava Ashtami is observed on the 8th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) of the month of Mrigashira/Margasheersha.

 According to ShataRudra Samhita of Shiva Purana,
Parameshvara appeared in form of Bhairava the Krishna Ashtami of Margashirsha month.

कृष्णाष्टम्यां तु मार्गस्य मासस्य परमेश्वरः।
आविर्बभूव सल्लीलो भैरवात्मा सताम्प्रियः॥


The ShataRudra Samhita states:

विश्वंभर्त्तुं समर्थोऽसि भीषणद्भैरवः स्मृतः।
त्वत्तो भेष्यति कालोऽपि ततस्त्वं कालभैरवः॥

You are capable of sustaining the world, “terrifying” – thus, remembered as Bhairava
of You will be terrified the Kaala too, thus will You be eulogized as Kalabhairava.

In accordance with the Shiva Purana, Vrata for Kalabhairava can be observed on Shukla Ashtami of Mrigashira month. Worship of Kalabhairava can be observed on all Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithis or even Tuesdays.

Shiva - The Mysterious One

आत्मसंस्थं शिवं त्यक्तवा बहिःस्थं यः समर्चयेत्।
हस्तस्थं पिण्डमुत्सृज्य भ्रमते जीविताशया॥

abnegating the Shiva stated within the Self, worshipping that which is without;
(one) discards the body in hand, (and) wanders deluded in hope of staying alive.
                                                                                              
- Shiva Samhita:5(71)

Nataraja Abhisheka

Nataraja Abhisheka is performed during the period of Ardra Nakshatra (Moon transiting Ardra Nakshatra), which happens at least once in a solar month.

Vidyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana mentions that worship of Shiva is especially significant during:


- Ardra Nakshatra or MahaArdra of that of Ashvin Krishna Chaturdashi;

- MahaArdra of Jyeshtha Chaturdashi;

- Ardra Nakshatra of any tithi of Mrigashira/Mrigasheersha.


...to be updated...

Guru and Healer

गुरुवे सर्व लोकानां
भेषजे भव रोगिणां।
निधये सर्व विद्यानां
दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः॥

(the One who is the)
Guru of all realms
Remedy to the ailment of mundane existence;
Treasure of All Knowledge
Obeisance to (that) Dakshinamurty.