Shiva Tandava Stotram

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Shiva Tandava Stotram (शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्) is a stotra, hymn of praise in the Hindu tradition that describes Shiva's power and beauty. It was sung by the son of Rishi Vishrawas (aka Vishrava), Ravana. Both the ninth and tenth quatrains of this hymn conclude with lists of Shiva's epithets as destroyer, even the destroyer of death itself. Alliteration and onomatopoeia create roiling waves of resounding beauty in this example of Hindu devotional poetry.

In the final quatrain of the poem, after tiring of rampaging across the Earth, Ravana asks, "When will I be happy?" Because of the intensity of his prayers and ascetic meditation, of which this hymn was an example, Ravana received from Shiva the boon of indestructibility by all powers on heaven and earth.


It is said that when he was tired of rampaging across the earth, Ravana returned to Lord Shiva to request moksha, release from the bondage of endless rebirth. Lord Shiva replied that he had granted Ravana the boon of indestructibility[citation needed], and that Ravana must instead seek moksha from Lord Vishnu(According to srimadbhagavatam chanto4 chapter6 verses 43 to 50 it is clear that Shiva is ordaining jivas to spiritual world and heavens etc. So Lord Shiva can give liberation to any one. But ravana was jaya who is guarding the entrance of lord vishnu's residence and cursed by four sons of brahma and his destiny lies in the hands of lord vishnu). In this version of Ravana's story, his battle with Rama can be interpreted as a pretext to attain death, and through death, liberation. Ravana's poignant cry in the final quatrain of poetry — "When will I be happy?" is echoed by modern man in his quest for earthly fulfillment and ultimate liberation from its bondage.

A compelling and complex personality, Ravana is for many Hindus a legendary hero, a scholar of immense intelligence and the devoted husband of one of traditional five perfect women, Mandodari.Ravana married Maya's daughter, Mandodari, who was a very beautiful & righteous wife. He had a son by her, named Meghanaada (which means the 'sound of the clouds' or the 'sound of thunder'). Meghanaada defeated Indra, the king of gods, and earned the title of 'Indrajit'. Ravana's great-grandfather was Brahma (God of Ultimate Knowledge). He had advanced knowledge of mathematics, science and Ayurveda.

He was obsessed with his powers and was egoistic, and to display and prove his powers he was about to move Mount Kailash (the abode of Shiva who was his ancestor god). He managed to lift the mountain but Shiva immediately placed it back just by pressing his toe crushing Ravana's fingers in the process. That is when Ravana sings "Tandav Stotra" and he was spared and blessed with chandrahas (moon sword by Lord Shiva) considered one of the most powerful weapons in Hindu Mythology.

Poetic characteristics[edit]

The stotra is in the Panchachaamara chhanda (16 syllables per line of the quatrain, with laghu and guru characters alternating).

||सार्थशिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम् ||

              ||श्रीगणेशाय नमः ||

matted hair-thick as forest-water-flow-consecrated-area

     गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् |
     in the throat-stuck-hanging-snake-lofty-garland 

damat-damat-damat-damat-having sound-drum-this

     चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ||१||
     did-fierce-Tandava-may he shower-on us-Shiva-auspiciousness 

Jatatavee jala jwalapravaha pavitha sthale,
Galae..valambya lambitaam bhujanga tunga malikaam,
Damad damad damad damanninaadavaddamavaryam,
Chakara chandatandavam tanotu naha shivaha shivam. 1

is hanging garland, and the Damaru drum making the sound of
Damat Damat Damat Damat, Lord Shiva did the auspicious dance of
Tandava and may He shower prosperity on us all.

matted hair-a well-agitation-moving-celestial river

    -विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि |

Dhagat dhagat dhagat -flaming-forehead-flat area-fire

     किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ||२||
     baby-moon-crest jewel-love-every moment-for me 

Jata kataha sambhramabhramannillimpa nirzaree,
Vilola veechivallaree viraja mana moordhani,
Dhagaddhagaddhagajjwalallalata patta pavake,
Kishora Chandra shekare ratihi pratikshanam mama. 2

jewel on his head.

King of mountains-daughter-sportive-kith-beautiful-

     स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे |
     glorious-horizon-all living beings-rejoicing-mind 

compassion-look-continuous flow-obstructed-hardships

     क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे(क्वचिच्चिदम्बरे) मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ||३||
     some time-in the omnipresent-mind-pleasure-may seek-in a thing 

Dhara dharendra nandinee vilaasa bhandhu bhandura,
Sphuraddiganta santati pramodha maana maanase,
Krupaa kataaksha dhoranee niruddha durdharaapadi,
Kwachid digambare (kwachicchidambarae) mano vinodametu vastuni. 3

living beings of the glorious universe exist, who is the sportive
invincible hardships with the flow of his compassionate look, who is
all-persuasive (the directions are his clothes).

creeping-snake-reddish brown-shining-hood-gem-luster-

     कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे |
     variegated-red dye-melting-applied-directions-beloved-face 

intoxicated-elephant-glittering-skin-upper garment-covered

     मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ||४||
     mind-pleasure-wonderful-may it seek-in him who supports all life 

Lataa bhujanga pingala sphurat phana mani prabha,
Kadamba kumkuma drava pralipta digwadhuu mukhae,
Madaandha sindhura sphuratwaguttariya medure,
Mano vinodamadhutam bibartu bhoota bhartari. 4

May I seek wonderful pleasure in Lord Shiva, who is supporter
glittering upper garment made of the skin of a huge intoxicated

Indra/Vishnu-and others-all-lined up-heads-

     प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः |

भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक
snake-red-garland (with) tied-locked hair

     श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ||५||
     for the prosperity-for a long time-may he be-Cakora bird-relative-on head 

Sahasra lochana prabhrutyashesha lekha shekhara,
Prasoona dhooli dhoranee vidhuu sarandhri peethabhuhu,
Bhujangaraja Malaya nibaddha jaata jootaka,
Shriyai chiraya jaayatam chakorabandhu shekharaha. 5


forehead-flat area-flaming-fire-sparks-luster

    -निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् |
    devoured-God of Love-bowing-Gods-leader 

सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं

     महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः  ||६||
     for the Siddhi-prosperity-head-locked hair-may it be-to us 

Lalaata chatwara jwaladdhananjaya sphulingabhaa,
Nipeeta pancha sayakam namannilimpa nayakam,
Sudhaa mayookha lekhayaa virajamana shekharam,
Mahaa kapali sampade, shiro jtdalamastu naha. 6

May we get the wealth of Siddhis from Shiva's locks of hair, which
with a crescent moon

dreadful-forehead-flat area-dhagat-dhagat-flaming

     द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके |
     fire-offered-powerful-God of Love 

king of mountains-daughter-breast-tip-colorful-decorative lines

    -प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम |||७||
    drawing-sole-artist -in the three-eyed -deep interest-mine 

Karaala bhaala pattikaa dhagadhagaj jwala-
Ddhananjayaa hutee kruta prachanda pancha sayakae,
Dharadharendra nandinee kuchagra chitrapatraka-
-Prakalpanaika shilpini, trilochane ratir mama. 7

the mountain king.

नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्-
new-cloud-circle -obstructed-harsh-striking-

     कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः |
     new moon-midnight-darkness-tightly-tied-neck 

निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
celestial-river-wearing-may he bless-skin-red

     कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ||८||
     moon-lovely-prosperity-universe-bearer of the burden 

Naveena megha mandalee nirudha durdhara sphurat,
Kahoo nisheethi neetamaha prabandha bandha kandharaha,
Nilimpa nirzaree dharstanotu krutti sindhuraha,
Kalaa nidhaana bandhuraha shriyam jagat durandharaha. 8

of new moon night covered by many layers of clouds.


    -वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् |

स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
Manmatha-killer-city-destroyer-mundane life -destroyer-sacrifice destroyer

     गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ||९||
     elephant-killer-demon-killer-him-destroyer of Lord Yama-I worship 

Prafulla neela pankaja prapancha kalima prabha-
-Valambi kanttha kandalee ruchi prabaddha kandharam,
Smarschidam puraschidham bhavaschidham makhachidham,
Gajacchidaam dhakacchidaam tamantakacchidam bhaje. 9

killer of Manmatha, who destroyed Tripuras, who destroyed the
demon Andhaka, the destroyer of the elephants, and who controlled
the God of death, Yama.

अखर्व(अगर्व) सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी

     रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् |
     enjoyment-flow-sweetness-flaring up-bees 

स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
Manmatha-destroyer-city-destroyer-worldly bond-destroyer -sacrifice-destroyer

     गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ||१०||
     elephant-killer-Andhaka-demon-killer-him-Yama-controller-I worship 

Akharva (Agara) sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjaree,
Rasa pravaha madhuri vijrumbhanaa madhu vratam,
Suraantakam, puraantakam, bhavaantakam, makhaantakam,
Gajaantakandhakaantakam tamantakaantakam bhaje. 10

honey from the beautiful bunch of auspicious Kadamba flowers, who
God of death, Yama.


    -द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् |
    coming out-shaking-evident-dreadful-forehead-fire 


    ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ||११||
    sound-series-caused-fierce-Tandava dance-Shiva 

Jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhrama dbujanga masrhvasa-
-dvinirgamatkramasphurat karaala bhala havya vaat,
Dhimid dhimid dhimi dhvananmrudanga tunga mangala,
Dhwani krama pravartita prachanda tandavaha shivaha. 11

sounds of drum making Dhimid Dhimid sounds, who has the fire


    -गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः |
    most precious-gems-brilliance-friends-enemies-two wings 

तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
grass-lotus-eyes people and the great emperor

    समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे ||१२||
    equal-behaviour-always-Lord Shiva-worship-I 

Sprushad wichitra talpayorbhujanga mouktika srajor-,
Garishtha ratna loshthayoho suhrudwi paksha pakshayoho,
Trunaara vinda chakshushoho prajaamahee mahendrayoho,
Samam pravartyanmanaha kada sadaashivam bhajae. 12

and towards varied ways of the world

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्
when-celestial river-bush-hollow place(in)-living

    विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् |
    released-bad mind-always-on the head-folded hands-

विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
agitation-shaking-eyes-the best-forehead-interested

    शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ||१३||
    "Shiva" -mantra-uttering-when-happy-will-be-I 

Kada nilimpa nirzaree nikunja kotarae vasan,
Vimukta durmateehi sada siraha sthamanjalim vahan,
Vimuktalola lochano lalaama bhaala lagnakaha,
Shiveti mantramuccharan kada sukhee bhavamyaham. 13

and devoted in the God with glorious forehead with vibrating eyes.

इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं
This-indeed-daily-thus-said-the best of the best-stotra

    पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् |
    reading-remembering-saying-a person-sanctity-gets-always 

हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
in Shiva-in Guru-deep devotion-quickly-gets-no-other-way

    विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ||१४||
    removal of delusion-indeed-for the people-blessed Shiva's thought 

Idam hi nityameva mukta muttamottamam stavam,
Pathan smaran bruvan naro vishuddhimeti santatam,
Hare Gurau subhaktimashu yati naanyatha gatim,
Vimohanam hi dehinaam sushakarasya chintanam. 14

Lord Shiva indeed removes the delusion.

पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं

    यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे |
    who-Shiva-worship-dedicated-reads-early in the evening, after sunset

तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
to him-stable-chariot-elephant-horse-having

    लक्ष्मीं सदैव  सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः ||१५||

Poojavasaanasamaye dashavaktrageetam,
Yaha shambhupoojanaparam pathati pradoshe,
Tasya sthiraam radha gajendra turanga yuktam,
Lakshmeem sadaiva sumukhim pradadaati shambhuhu. 15

stable LakShmi (prosperity) with all the richness of chariots, elephants
and horses.

इति श्रीरावण-कृतम्
thus sree-Ravana-done

Iti ShreeRavana-krutam,

Thus ends the Shiva-Tandava Stotra written by Ravana.

Internal links[edit]

Shiv Tandav Stotra at Wikisource (Sanskrit in Latin alphabet)

External links[edit]

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