Shiva Tandav Stotram (рд╢рд┐рд╡ рддрд╛рдВрдбрд╡ рд╕реНрддреЛрддреНрд░)
Significance & Importance
The Shiva Tandava Stotram is one of the most powerful and artistically magnificent hymns in all of Sanskrit literature. Attributed to Ravana тАФ the ten-headed demon king of Lanka from the Ramayana тАФ this stotra is paradoxically one of the greatest devotional compositions ever created, demonstrating that even a being feared as a villain possessed extraordinary devotion and literary genius.
According to tradition, Ravana composed this hymn while performing intense penance to Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash. So profound was his devotion that he allegedly plucked the strings of his own veins as accompaniment, and his ten heads chanted in perfect unison. The stotra's thunderous rhythm тАФ 'Jatatavee galajjal pravaha pavitasthale' тАФ mimics the cosmic drumbeat of Shiva's tandava dance itself, with its heavy compound Sanskrit words creating a verbal earthquake that readers can feel in their chest.
The Tandava described here is Shiva's cosmic dance of simultaneous creation and destruction. Each of the seventeen verses paints an increasingly vivid portrait of Shiva in his most fearsome and magnificent form: matted locks whipping through space while the Ganga cascades from them, serpent garlands coiling around his blue throat, the crescent moon adorning his brow, and his third eye blazing with the fire that could consume the universe. The stotra systematically destroys all limitations тАФ Shiva is 'Smarachchhidam' (destroyer of desire), 'Purachchhidam' (destroyer of the three cities of ego), and 'Bhavachchhidam' (destroyer of worldly existence).
This hymn holds special significance in Shaivite tantric traditions, where it is recited during Pradosha Kaal (the auspicious twilight hour) for Shiva's blessings. The final verse promises that whoever recites this stotra during evening worship will receive enduring prosperity. The Shiva Tandava remains a cultural touchstone тАФ recited in temples, performed in classical dance, and beloved by millions who find in its thunderous verses an encounter with the raw, awesome power of the divine.
English Transliteration
Shiv Tandav Stotram Jatatavee Galajjal Pravaha Paavitasthale Galeyavalambya Lambitaam Bhujanga Tunga Maalikaam. Damaddamaddamaddaman Ninaadavaddamarvayam Chakaara Chandtaandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam. ||1|| Jata Kata Hasambhram Bhramannilimpanirjhari. Vilola Veechi Vallari Viraajmaanmoordhani. Dhagaddhagaddhagajjvala Llalaatapattapaavake Kishorachandrashekhare Ratih Pratikshnam Mam. ||2|| Dhara Dharendra Nandini Vilaas Bandhubandhu Ra- Sphuradrugant Santati Pramod Maanmaanase. Kripaakataksha Dhaarani Niruddhadurdharaapadi Kvachid Vigambare Mano Vinodametu Vastuni. ||3|| Jata Bhujangapingal Sphuratphanamaniprabha- Kadambakunkuma Dravapraliptadigvadhoomukhe. Madaandh Sindhu Rsphurattvaguttariyamedure Mano Vinoddabhutam Bibhartu Bhootabhartari. ||4|| Sahasra Lochan Prabhritya Sheshalekhashekhara- Prasoona Dhoolidhoranee Vidhusaranghripruthbhuh. Bhujangaraaj Maalaya Nibaddhajaatajootakah Shriye Chiraay Jaayataam Chakor Bandhushekharah. ||5|| Lalaat Chatvarajvaladdhananjayasphuringabha- Nipeetapanchasaayakam Nimannilimpanaayakam. Sudhaa Mayukh Lekhayaa Viraajmaanshekaram Mahaa Kapaali Sampade Shirojatalamastunah. ||6|| Karaal Bhaal Pattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvala- Ddhananjaya Dhareekrutaprachandapanchasaayake. Dharaadhareandra Nandini Kuchaagrachitrapattaka- Prakalpanaikashilpini Trilochane Ratirmama. ||7|| Naveen Megh Mandali Niruddhurdharasphura- Tkuhu Nisheethineetamah Prabandhbandhukandharah. Nilimpanirjhari Dharastanotu Kritti Sindhurah Kalaanidhaanbandhurah Shriyam Jaganddhurandarah. ||8|| Praphulla Neel Pankaj Prapanchakaalimacchhata- Vidambi Kanthakandha Raaruchi Prabandhkandaram. Smarachchhidam Purachchhidam Bhavachchhidam Makhachchhidam Gajachchhidaandhkachchhidam Tamantakachchhidam Bhaje. ||9|| Agarvasarvmangala Kalaakadambamanjari- Rasapravah Maadhuri Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam. Smaraantakam Puraatakam Bhavaantakam Makhaantakam Gajaantakaandhkaantakam Tamantakaantakam Bhaje. ||10|| Jayatvadabhravibhram Bhramadbhujangamasphurad- Dhagaddhagadvinirgamatkraal Bhaal Havyavaat- Dhimiddhimiddhimi Nnanmridangatungamangala- Dhvanikramapravartita Prachand Taandavah Shivah. ||11|| Drishadvichitrataalpayorbhujang Mauktikmasrajo- Rgarishtharatnaloshtayoh Suhridvipakshapakshayoh. Trinaaravindachakshushoh Prajaamahimahendrayoh Samam Pravartayanmanah Kadaa Sadasshivam Bhaje. ||12|| Kadaa Nilimpanirjhari Nikujakotare Vasan Vimuktadurmtih Sadaa Shirahsthamanjlim Vahan. Vimuktalolalochano Lalaambhaallagnak Shiveti Mantramuccharan Kadaa Sukhi Bhavaamyaham. ||13|| Nilimpa Naathanagari Kadamb Maulamallikaa- Nigumphanirbhaxranmadhushnikaamanoharah. Tanotu No Manomudam Vinodinimmahanisham Parishray Param Padam Tadangajatvishaam Chayah. ||14|| Prachand Vaadavaanaal Prabhashubhprachaarani Mahashtasiddhikaamini Jaanaavahoot Jalpanaa. Vimukta Vaam Lochano Vivaahkaalikadhvanih Shiveti Mantrabhooshago Jagajjayaay Jaayataam. ||15|| Imam Hi Nityameva Muktamuttamottamam Stavam Pathansmaran Bruvannaro Vishuddhimeti Santatam. Hare Gurau Subhaktimashuyaati Naanyathaa Gatim Vimohanam Hi Dehinaam Tu Shankarasya Chintanam. ||16|| Pujavasaansamaye Dashvaktrageetam Yah Shambhoopoojanmidam Pathati Pradoshe. Tasya Sthiraam Rathgajendratuangayuktam Lakshmi Sadaiva Sumukhim Pradadaati Shambhuh. ||17|| || Iti Shiv Tandav Stotram Sampoornam ||