Shiva Tandava Stotram (śiva tāṇḍava stotram)
The magnificent rhythmic hymn composed by King Ravana in cosmic adoration of Lord Shiva’s ecstatic Tandava dance of power, grace, and dissolution.
jaṭāṭavīgalajjalapravāhapāvitasthale gale'valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅgatuṅgamālikām | ḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamanninādavaḍḍamarvayaṃ cakāra caṇḍatāṇḍavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || १ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):With His neck sanctified by the cascading waters of the holy Ganga flowing from His dense, tangled matted locks, wearing the garland of the supreme serpent king hanging around His neck, Lord Shiva performs His ecstatic and fierce Tandava dance to the rhythmic cadence of the sacred damaru sounding "Damat-Damat". May that all-auspicious Shiva bestow supreme grace and prosperity upon us.
jaṭākaṭāhasambhramabhramannilimpanirjharī- vilolavīcivallarīvirājamānamūrdhani | dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalāṭapaṭṭapāvake kiśoracandraśekhare ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṃ mama || २ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Upon whose cosmic matted head playfully surge the dancing ripples and waves of the celestial river Ganga, on whose forehead blazes the blazing fire of destruction, and on whose crest shines the crescent moon—may my devotion remain eternally absorbed in that Lord Chandrashekhara.
dharādharendranandinīvilāsabandhubandhura- sphuraddigantasantatipramodamānamānase | kṛpākaṭākṣadhoraṇīniruddhadurdharāpadi kvaciddigambare mano vinodametu vastuni || ३ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):He whose heart overflows with cosmic bliss through the affectionate glances of Goddess Parvati, the daughter of the mountain King; whose graceful compassionate look averts the most formidable adversities of devotees—may my mind find pure delight in that all-pervading Lord Digambara.
jaṭābhujaṅgapiṅgalasphuratphaṇāmaṇiprabhā- kadambakuṅkumadravapraliptadigvaadhūmukhe | madāndhasindhurasphurattvaguttarīyamedure mano vinodamadbhutaṃ bibhartu bhūtabhartari || ४ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):The reddish radiance from the gems on the hoods of the serpents coiled in His hair casts a vermilion glow across all directions; He wears the majestic elephant skin as an upper garment—may my soul find ecstasy in that Supreme Lord of all beings (Bhutabhartari).
sahasralocanaprabhṛtyaśeṣalekhaśekhara- prasūnadhūlidhoraṇīvidhūsarāṅghripīṭhabhūḥ | bhujaṅgarājamālayā nibaddhajāṭajūṭakaḥ śriyai cirāya jāyatāṃ cakorabandhuśekharaḥ || ५ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Whose footstool is grayed by the pollen dust falling from the flowery crowns worn by Indra and all celestials bowing in veneration; whose matted locks are tied with the garland of the serpent king—may that Moon-crested Lord grant us everlasting wealth, auspiciousness, and spiritual glory.
Phala Shruti (Spiritual Merits) & Puja Method & Guidelines
Reciting Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by Ravana at the conclusion of worship at dusk (Pradosha) pleases Lord Shiva, bestowing enduring wealth, majestic prosperity, vehicles, and unshakeable inner peace.
Recite with deep energy and rhythm, ideally during Pradosha (dusk) or morning after bath, facing North or East in front of a Shiva Linga or picture of Mahadeva.
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