The Maha Mrityunjay Yagya is said to counter the adverse effects of severe, chronic and sometimes fatal illnesses and health conditions and also prevent untimely death. The Maha Mrityunjay Mantra is also known as the Tryambakam Mantra, which is a verse of the Rigveda. It is recited to pray to Tryambaka, "the three-eyed one", a moniker of Rudra, an avatar of Lord Shiva and is chanted 108 times, an auspicious number in the Hindu culture. Through this puja, devotees undergo long and intense hours of worship spreading over a number of days depending upon the number of ‘japas’ to be recited, to appease Lord Shiva, Lord Maha Mrityunjay Mahadev and the planets Rahu and Ketu. Lord Shiva is worshipped so that he can grant the devotee good health and happiness and rid him of troubles. Lord Maha Mrityunjay Mahadev can conquer death and thus by praying to him one can even stall death. This is also effective in countering the negative effects of the planets Rahu and Ketu caused due to unfavourable positioning. This puja is especially recommended to be performed on birthdays and during prolonged sickness in the family, as this mantra is a moksha mantra and blesses devotees with a mentally, physically, and spiritually long and healthy life.
Note: Lord Shiv represents valor and devotion and must be prayed to if a devotee wishes to put an end to his troubles and miseries in life. Lord Hanuman is often known as ‘Sankat Mochan’, meaning someone who takes away your miseries.