Shiv Tandav Stotram - with Meaning

Shiva Tandava Stotram was composed by great wise king – Ravana to appease his Master, Guru Lord Shiva. In Hindu Mythology, Ravana was the powerful king who kidnapped Sita and was later killed by Lord Ram – The 5th Lord Vishnu Avatar.

Shiva Tandava Stotram – History

It is believed that Ravana was the wisest of all kings but he was cursed by the God(s) for his arrogant attitude towards animals. He was born to fulfill the curse. Many people with half the knowledge would argue about his evil intentions and crooked actions but this was inevitable. He was a part of the life cycle which was already devised. He knew his karma could have made the difference but his EGO and power did not leave him any choice. When Lord Ram finally took Ravana down in the war, Lord Ram and Laxman sat beside him and took knowledge from him about Lord Shiva. His dedication towards the almighty Shiva helped him become the most powerful king, this universe has ever seen but being the son of a brahman and Raksha, he was bound to act like a lost soul. Hence the curse came true and the era of Ravana came to an end.

Shiva Tandava Stotram

Jatatavee galajjala pravaha pavitasthale,
Gale avalabhya lambithaam bhujanga tunga malikaam,
Damaddamaddama ddama ninnadava damarvayam,
Chakara chanda tandavam tanotu na shivh shivam. 1

That Shiva, Who have long-garlands of the snake king (cobra) at the neck which is purified by the flow of trickling water-drops in the forest-like twisted hair-locks, Who danced the fierce Tāṇḍava-dance to the music of a sounding-drum, — may bless us.[1]

Jata kataha sambhramabhramanillimpa nirjari,
Vilola veechi vallari viraja mana moordhani,
Dhaga dhaga dhaga jjwala lalata patta pavake,
Kishora Chandra shekare ratih prati kshanam mama. 2

At every moment, may I find pleasure in Shiva, Whose head is situated in between the creeper-like unsteady waves of Nilimpanirjharī (Gańgā), in whose head unsteadily fire (energy) is fuming the like twisted hair-locks, Who has crackling and blazing fire at the surface of forehead, and Who has a crescent-moon (young moon) at the forehead.[2]

Dhara dharendra nandini vilasa bhandhu bhandura,
Sphuradriganta santati pramoda mana manase,
Kripa kataksha dhorani niruddha durdharapadi,
Kwachi digambare mano vinodametu vastuni. 3

May my mind seeks happiness in Shiva, Whose mind has the shining universe and all the living-beings inside, Who is the charming sportive-friend of the daughter of the mountain-king of the Earth ( Himālaya's daughter parvati), Whose uninterrupted series of merciful-glances conceals immense-troubles, and Who has direction as His clothes.[3]

Jata bhujanga pingala sphurat phana mani prabha,
Kadamba kumkuma drava pralipta digwadhu mukhe,
Madhandha sindhura sphuratwagu uttariyamedure,
Manovinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhoota bhartari. 4

May my mind hold in Shiva, by Whom — with the light from the jewels of the shining-hoods of creeper-like yellow-snakes — the face of Dikkanyās’ are smeared with Kadamba-juice like red Kuńkuma, Who looks dense due to the glittering skin-garment of an intoxicated elephant, and Who is the Lord of the ghosts.[4]

Lalata chatwara jwaladdhanam jaya sphulingaya,
Nipeeta pancha sayakam namannilimpanayakam,
Sudha mayookha lekhaya virajamana shekharam,
Maha kapali sampade, sirijjatalamastunah. 5

For a long time, may Shiva — Whose foot-basement is grey due to the series of pollen dust from flowers at the head of Indra (Sahasralocana) and all other demi-gods, Whose matted hairlocks are tied by a garland of the king of snakes, and Who has a head-jewel of the friend of cakora bird — produce prosperity.[5]

Sahastralochana prabhrityashesha lekha shekhara,
Prasoona dhooli dhorani vidhu saranghripeethabhuh,
Bhujangaraja Malaya nibaddha jaata jootakah,
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora bandhu shekharah. 6

May we acquire the possession of tress-locks of shiva, Which absorbed the five-arrows (of Kaamadeva) in the sparks of the blazing fire stored in the rectangular-forehead, Which are being bowed by the leader of supernatural-beings, Which have an enticing-forehead with a beautiful streak of crescent-moon.[6]

Karala bhala pattika dhagaddhadhagaddha gajjwala,
Ddhananjayahuti kruta prachanda panchasayake ,
Dharadharendra nandini kuchagra chithrapathraka,
Prakalpanaikashilpini, trilochane ratirmama. 7

May I find pleasure in Trilocana, Who offered the five great-arrows (of Kāmadeva) to the blazing and chattering fire of the plate-like forehead, and Who is the sole-artist placing variegated artistic lines on the breasts of the daughter of Himālaya (Pārvatī).[7]

Naveena megha mandali niruddha durdharatsphurat,
Kuhuh nisheethineetamah prabhandha baddha kandharah,
Nilimpa nirjhari dharastanotu krutti sundarah,
Kalanidhana bandhurah shriyam jagat durandharah. 8

May Shiva — Whose cord-tied neck is dark like a night with shining-moon obstructed by a group of harsh and new clouds, Who holds the River Gańgā, Whose cloth is made of elephant-skin, Who has a curved and crescent moon placed at the forehead, and Who bears the universe — expand [my] wealth.[8]

Prafulla neela pankaja prapancha kalimaprabha,
Valambi kantha kandali ruchi prabandha kandharam,
Smarchchhidam purachchhidam bhavachchhidam makhachchhidam,
Gajachchhidandha kachchhidam tamant kachchhidam bhaje. 9

I adore Shiva, Who supports the dark glow of blooming blue lotus series at around the girdle of His neck, Who cuts-off Smara (Kāmadeva), Who cuts-off Pura, Who cuts-off the mundane existence, Who cuts-off the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who cuts-off the demon Gaja, Who cuts-off Andhaka, and Who cuts-off Yama (death).[9]

Akharva sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjari,
Rasa pravaha madhuri vijrumbhane madhuvritam,
Smrantakam, purantakam, bhavantakam, makhantakam,
Gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje. 10

I adore Shiva, Who only eats the sweet-flow of nectar from the beautiful flowers of Kadamba-trees which are the abode of all important auspicious qualities, Who destroys Smara (Kāmadeva), Who destroys Pura, Who destroys the mundane existence, Who destroys the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who destroys the demon Gaja, Who destroys Andhaka, and Who destroys Yama (death).[10]

Jayatwadabhra vibhrama bhramadbujanga mashwasad,
Vinirgamat, kramasphurat, karala bhala havya vaat,
Dhimiddhimiddhimi maddhwanan mridanga tunga mangala,
Dhwani krama pravartitah prachanda tandawah shivah. 11

May Shiva, Whose dreadful forehead has oblations of plentiful, turbulent and wandering snake-hisses — first coming out and then sparking, Whose fierce tāṇḍava-dance is set in motion by the sound-series of the auspicious and best-drum (ḍamaru) — which is sounding with ‘dhimit-dhimit’ sounds, be victorious.[11]

Drushadwichitra talpayor bhujanga mauktikastrajor,
Garishtha ratna loshtayoh suhrid wipaksha pakshayoh,
Trinara vinda chakshushoh praja mahee mahendrayoh,
Samapravrittikah katha sadashivam bhajamyaham. 12

When will I adore SadāShiva with an equal vision towards varied ways of the world, a snake or a pearl-garland, royal-gems or a lump of dirt, friend or enemy sides, a grass-eyed or a lotus-eyed person, and common men or the king.[12]

Kada nilimpa nirjharee nikunja kotare vasan,
Vimukta durmatih sada shirahstha manjali vahan,
Vilola lola lochane lalama bhala lagnakah,
Shiveti mantra muchcharan kada sukhee bhavamyaham. 13

Living in the hollow of a tree in the thickets of River Gańgā, always free from ill-thinking, bearing añjali at the forehead, free from lustful eyes, and forehead and head bonded, when will I become content while reciting the mantra ‘‘Shiva?’’[13]

Nilimpnath naagaree kadamb mauli mallika,
nigumpha nirbharkshanm dhooshnika manoharah.
tanotu no manomudam vinodineem maharshinam,
parshriyam param padam tadanjatvisham chayah.14

Divine beauty of different parts of Lord Shiv which are enlighted by fragrence of the flowers decorating the twisted hairlocks of angles may always bless us with happiness and pleasure.[14]

prachanda wadavaanal prabha shubh pracharinee,
mahaasht siddhi kaaminee janavahoot jalpana.
vimukta vaam lochano vivaah kaalikdhvanih,
shiveti mantra bhooshano jagajjayaay jaaytaam.15

The Shakti (energy) which is capable of burning all the sins and spreading welfare of all and the pleasent sound produced by angles during enchanting the pious Shiv mantra at the time of Shiv-Parvati Vivah may winover & destroy all the sufferings of the world.[15]

Imam hi nitya meva mukta muttamottamstavam,
Pathantaram bhunannaro vishuddhmeti santatam,
Hare Gurau sa bhaktimashu yati nanyatha gati,
Vimohanam hi dehinaa tu shankarasya chitanam. 16

Reading, remembering, and reciting this eternal, having spoken thus, and the best among best eulogy indeed incessantly leads to purity. In preceptor Hara (Śhiva) immediately the state of complete devotion is achieved; no other option is there. Just the thought of Śhiva (Śhańkara) is enough for the people.[16]

Poojavasana samaye dasha vaktra geetam,
Yah shambhu poojana param pathati pradoshe,
Tasyasthiraam ratha gajendra turanga yuktaam,
Lakshmeem sadaiva sumukheem pradadaati shambuh. 17

At the time of prayer-completion, that who reads this song by Daśavaktra (Rāvaṇa) after the prayer of Śambhu — Śambhu gives him stable wealth including chariots, elephants and horses, and beautiful face.[17]