The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

The mrityunjaya mantra is considered one of the maha mantras or great

Sanskrit mantras because of its potency to give protection and manifold
blessings. Maha mrityunjaya literally means the great victory over death.
It is associated with Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance, and the liberator
from the cycle of death and rebirth. It is therefore a life giving mantra that
not only protects the physical body and gives health, but purifies the mind
at a deep level.
Om tryambakam yajamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
urvarukamiva bandhanan
mrityor mukshiya mamritat.
"I bow down to that three-eyed Lord Shiva, who is full of sweet fragrance,
who nourishes all living beings. May He free me from the bondage of
samsara and death, just as a ripe cucumber is separated from the vine.
May I be fixed in immortality!"
Shiva is said to have three eyes, because he sees the past, present, and
future simultaneously. He is the lord of the three worlds - physical, astral,
and causal. He is also beyond the three gunas - sattva, rajas, and tamas - or
creation, sustenance, and destruction. As we chant the maha mrityunjaya
mantra we identify with Shiva, develop his attributes, and receive his
blessings.
In the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, sage Parashara prescribes the maha
mrityunjaya mantra as an astrological remedial measure on at least 24
separate occasions. For instance, in Chapter 55 verse 52 he says,
"In this critical period, with the recitation (japa) of mrityunjaya mantra
the evil effects will get mellowed down (reduced) with the blessings of
Lord Shiva."