Shiva Tandava Stotram In English
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a powerful Sanskrit hymn composed by Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka and a great devotee of Lord Shiva. This stotram describes the cosmic dance (Tandava) of Lord Shiva, symbolizing the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. The hymn is known for its rhythmic intensity, profound meaning, and deep spiritual significance.
Origin of Shiva Tandava Stotram
According to Hindu mythology, Ravana, an ardent devotee of Shiva, composed this stotram to appease the Lord after attempting to lift Mount Kailash, Shiva’s abode. As the story goes, when Ravana tried to move Kailash in arrogance, Shiva pressed it down with his toe, trapping Ravana beneath it. Realizing his mistake, Ravana sang this hymn in devotion, and Shiva, pleased with his dedication, blessed him with a divine sword, the Chandrahas.
Structure and Meaning
The Shiva Tandava Stotram consists of stanzas (shlokas) written in the powerful Anushtubh meter, creating a rhythmic and energetic flow that reflects the intensity of Shiva’s dance. Each verse describes different attributes of Lord Shiva, glorifying his divine form, cosmic dance, and ultimate power.
Key Themes of the Stotram:
- Description of Shiva’s Tandava Dance – The hymn vividly portrays Lord Shiva’s dance of destruction, representing the eternal rhythm of the universe.
- Glorification of Shiva’s Appearance – His matted hair, crescent moon, river Ganga flowing from his locks, serpent ornaments, and ash-covered body are beautifully described.
- Symbolism of Creation & Destruction – The stotram explains how Shiva’s dance is not just about destruction but also the regeneration of the universe.
- Praise of Shiva’s Power & Compassion – The hymn highlights Shiva’s role as the supreme protector and destroyer, showing his fierce yet benevolent nature.
Shiva Tandava Stotram In English
jaṭāṭavīgalajjalapravāhapāvitasthalē
galēvalambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅgatuṅgamālikām ।
ḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamanninādavaḍḍamarvayaṃ
chakāra chaṇḍatāṇḍavaṃ tanōtu naḥ śivaḥ śivam ॥ 1 ॥
jaṭākaṭāhasambhramabhramannilimpanirjharī-
-vilōlavīchivallarīvirājamānamūrdhani ।
dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalāṭapaṭṭapāvakē
kiśōrachandraśēkharē ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṃ mama ॥ 2 ॥
dharādharēndranandinīvilāsabandhubandhura
sphuraddigantasantatipramōdamānamānasē ।
kṛpākaṭākṣadhōraṇīniruddhadurdharāpadi
kvachiddigambarē manō vinōdamētu vastuni ॥ 3 ॥
jaṭābhujaṅgapiṅgaḻasphuratphaṇāmaṇiprabhā
kadambakuṅkumadravapraliptadigvadhūmukhē ।
madāndhasindhurasphurattvaguttarīyamēdurē
manō vinōdamadbhutaṃ bibhartu bhūtabhartari ॥ 4 ॥
sahasralōchanaprabhṛtyaśēṣalēkhaśēkhara
prasūnadhūḻidhōraṇī vidhūsarāṅghripīṭhabhūḥ ।
bhujaṅgarājamālayā nibaddhajāṭajūṭaka
śriyai chirāya jāyatāṃ chakōrabandhuśēkharaḥ ॥ 5 ॥
lalāṭachatvarajvaladdhanañjayasphuliṅgabhā-
-nipītapañchasāyakaṃ namannilimpanāyakam ।
sudhāmayūkhalēkhayā virājamānaśēkharaṃ
mahākapālisampadēśirōjaṭālamastu naḥ ॥ 6 ॥
karālaphālapaṭṭikādhagaddhagaddhagajjvala-
ddhanañjayādharīkṛtaprachaṇḍapañchasāyakē ।
dharādharēndranandinīkuchāgrachitrapatraka-
-prakalpanaikaśilpini trilōchanē matirmama ॥ 7 ॥
navīnamēghamaṇḍalī niruddhadurdharasphurat-
kuhūniśīthinītamaḥ prabandhabandhukandharaḥ ।
nilimpanirjharīdharastanōtu kṛttisindhuraḥ
kaḻānidhānabandhuraḥ śriyaṃ jagaddhurandharaḥ ॥ 8 ॥
praphullanīlapaṅkajaprapañchakālimaprabhā-
-vilambikaṇṭhakandalīruchiprabaddhakandharam ।
smarachChidaṃ purachChidaṃ bhavachChidaṃ makhachChidaṃ
gajachChidāndhakachChidaṃ tamantakachChidaṃ bhajē ॥ 9 ॥
agarvasarvamaṅgaḻākaḻākadambamañjarī
rasapravāhamādhurī vijṛmbhaṇāmadhuvratam ।
smarāntakaṃ purāntakaṃ bhavāntakaṃ makhāntakaṃ
gajāntakāndhakāntakaṃ tamantakāntakaṃ bhajē ॥ 10 ॥
jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujaṅgamaśvasa-
-dvinirgamatkramasphuratkarālaphālahavyavāṭ ।
dhimiddhimiddhimidhvananmṛdaṅgatuṅgamaṅgaḻa
dhvanikramapravartita prachaṇḍatāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ ॥ 11 ॥
dṛṣadvichitratalpayōrbhujaṅgamauktikasrajōr-
-gariṣṭharatnalōṣṭhayōḥ suhṛdvipakṣapakṣayōḥ ।
tṛṣṇāravindachakṣuṣōḥ prajāmahīmahēndrayōḥ
samaṃ pravartayanmanaḥ kadā sadāśivaṃ bhajē ॥ 12 ॥
kadā nilimpanirjharīnikuñjakōṭarē vasan
vimuktadurmatiḥ sadā śiraḥsthamañjaliṃ vahan ।
vimuktalōlalōchanō lalāṭaphālalagnakaḥ
śivēti mantramuchcharan sadā sukhī bhavāmyaham ॥ 13 ॥
imaṃ hi nityamēvamuktamuttamōttamaṃ stavaṃ
paṭhansmaranbruvannarō viśuddhimētisantatam ।
harē gurau subhaktimāśu yāti nānyathā gatiṃ
vimōhanaṃ hi dēhināṃ suśaṅkarasya chintanam ॥ 14 ॥
pūjāvasānasamayē daśavaktragītaṃ yaḥ
śambhupūjanaparaṃ paṭhati pradōṣē ।
tasya sthirāṃ rathagajēndraturaṅgayuktāṃ
lakṣmīṃ sadaiva sumukhiṃ pradadāti śambhuḥ ॥ 15 ॥
Significance and Benefits of Chanting
Chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram is considered highly auspicious and spiritually uplifting. It is believed to:
- Invoke Shiva’s Blessings – Devotees who recite this hymn with devotion are said to receive Lord Shiva’s divine grace.
- Remove Fear & Negativity – The powerful vibrations of this stotram dispel fear, negative energies, and obstacles.
- Enhance Concentration & Strength – The rhythmic chanting sharpens focus, mental clarity, and spiritual strength.
- Attract Success & Prosperity – Shiva’s blessings bring success in personal and professional life.
- Purify the Soul – The hymn leads to inner purification, helping in self-realization and spiritual growth.
Best Time & Method to Chant
- Early morning or evening, preferably on Mondays or during Shiva-related occasions like Maha Shivaratri.
- Chanting it 21 times or 108 times brings maximum benefits.
- It is best recited with devotion and concentration in front of a Shiva Lingam or an image of Lord Shiva.
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a powerful devotional hymn that embodies the grandeur of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance.
