Having explained the first two pada of the mantra, Śukrācārya continued to explain the remaining two pada. Since the Puruṣa (ātmā – Shiva) is the granter of sustenance to prākṛti (body/nature), he is ‘ Pusti-vardhana’.” You, I, Brahma, Vishnu, the Munis and even Indra & devas are maintained/sustained (by the ātmā and that is Him). Starting with the Mahātattva (primordial state of matter/energy) to the individual parts of creation, the entire sustenance of the physically created beings (both animate and inanimate) is done by the imperishable Puruṣa. That inward dwelling spirit (atman), the Puruṣa Shiva is the real sustainer of Prākṛti (and not vice-versa as all people perceive). In all the bhutas (modes of existence), in the three Guṇa (nature of creation as being Satva, Rajas or Tamas), in the ten indriya (five jñāna-indriya or senses and five karma-indriya or organs of action), in all the devas (33 devas are the source of all illumination and enlightenment) and the ganas (hosts of demi-gods), Shiva exists and pervades as the illumine ātmā (soul) and is their essence. Sugandhim refers to the fragrance of the flower that spreads in all directions, and in a similar way Shiva is present in the entire creation, both animate and inanimate. This is the first foot of the mantra (composed of eight syllables).” Know Him to be the nirākāra (formless) Sadāśiva as He is above this physical mode and is their Maheśvara.
He is the lord of the three heavens created by the dominance of the three Guṇa – Rajas (Brahma), Sattva (Vishnu) and Tamas (Shiva).
He is the father of all physical creation through the three mūrti bhūta – Pṛthvi (solid), Jala (liquid) and Tejas or agni (energy). He is the father (cause and source) of the three energies (agni) – āvāhaniya, garhapatya and dakṣināgni. He is Sadāśiva, the teacher of the three tattva – Ātmā tattva, Vidyā tattva and Shiva tattva. He is Maheśvara, the lord of the three guṇa’s – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. He is the father and lord of the three mandala’s – Surya, Soma and Agni mandala. Tryaṁbakka is the name of Lord Shiva as the father of the three worlds – bhū, bhuva and svarga lokas. Śukrācārya said “The first pada is त्रयंबक्कं यजामहे (trayaṁbakkaṁ yajāmahe) and means – we worship or sing the praise of Lord Tryaṁbakka. Śukrācārya said “O! Dadhicha, I pray to Lord Shiva and give you the upadeśa (advise, wisdom, teaching) of the highest Mahā Mṛtyuṅjaya mantra.” The mantra is in Anuṣṭubh Chandas and accordingly, is divided into four padas composed of eight syllables each.
The mantra and explanation given by Śukrācārya to Ṛṣi Dadhicha when the latter’s body was cut and thrown by Raja Kṣuva, is recorded in the Shiva Purāṇa. This mantra was given (śruti) to Vasiṣṭha Maharṣi for the welfare of this world. The definition of Tapasvi Yoga comes from this penance as Saturn (punishment, hard toil), Ketu (smoke blown into the nose and other forms of self-inflicted torture) and Venus (desire and its renunciation) must come together to define the personal ability of the Tapasvi.Īfter the penance, Lord Shiva taught the Mahāmṛtyuṅjaya mantra to Śukrācārya, who under very compelling circumstances had to teach this to the son of Brihaspati and that is how the devas also got the mantra. Since Śukrācārya (Venus in astrology) passed the penance he was glorified as the Tapasvi Raja (the king of the spiritual discipline and penance). Even Bṛhaspati was shocked at the prospect of such a terrible penance and calmly settled to observe Śukrācārya accept the challenge of Indra and succeed. The Mahā-mṛtyuṅjaya mantra was taught by Lord Shiva to Śukrācārya the preceptor of the demons after he succeeded in the impossible test of hanging upside down from a tree for twenty years (Vimśottari daśā period) with smoke blowing into him from a fire lit beneath.