Shiv Tandav Stotram
Draft — pending review. This text has been sourced and translated per our editorial policy, but has not yet completed human review against sung versions. Wording may change.
verse 1
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजंगतुंगमालिकाम्।
Jaṭāṭavī-galaj-jala-pravāha-pāvita-sthale gale'valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga-tuṅga-mālikām
In the place made sacred by the stream of the celestial river falling through the wilderness of his matted locks, wearing on his neck the tall garland of coiling serpents hanging down,
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥1॥
Ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍaman-nināda-vaḍḍamarvayaṃ cakāra caṇḍa-tāṇḍavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam
who, to the resounding beat 'damat-damat-damat' of his damaru drum, performed the fierce tandava dance -- may that Shiva grant us auspiciousness.
verse 2
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि।
Jaṭā-kaṭāha-sambhrama-bhraman-nilimpa-nirjharī vilola-vīci-vallarī-virājamāna-mūrdhani
On whose head the heavenly river whirls in confusion within the cavity of his matted hair, radiant with the swaying creeper-like row of trembling waves,
धगद्धगद्धगज्जलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥2॥
Dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jalal-lalāṭa-paṭṭa-pāvake kiśora-candra-śekhare ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṃ mama
with the fire crackling 'dhagad-dhagad' on his forehead-plate -- may my devotion grow with every passing moment toward this youthful, moon-crested Lord.
verse 3
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे।
Dharā-dharendra-nandinī-vilāsa-bandhu-bandhura sphurad-diganta-santati-pramoda-māna-mānase
Bound in tender, delightful companionship with the daughter of the mountain-king, his mind ever rejoicing, radiant to the farthest horizons,
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्विगम्बरे मनोविनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥3॥
Kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-dhoraṇī-niruddha-durdhara-āpadi kvacid-digambare mano-vinodametu vastuni
whose row of compassionate glances holds back every unbearable calamity -- may my mind find its delight, now and then, in that sky-clad form.
verse 4
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे।
Jaṭā-bhujaṅga-piṅgala-sphurat-phaṇā-maṇi-prabhā kadamba-kuṅkuma-drava-praliptadigvadhū-mukhe
The glow of jewels on the raised hoods of the tawny serpents coiled in his matted hair, the faces of the directions as if anointed with the flowing saffron of kadamba blossoms,
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥4॥
Madāndha-sindhura-sphurattva-guttarīya-medure mano vinodamadbhutaṃ bibhartu bhūtabhartari
and whose splendid upper garment, the flapping hide of a rutting elephant, adorns him -- may my mind carry its wondrous delight in the Lord who sustains all beings.
verse 5
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः।
Sahasra-locana-prabhṛty-aśeṣa-lekha-śekhara prasūna-dhūli-dhoraṇī-vidhūsarāṅghri-pīṭhabhūḥ
At whose footstool the ground turns grey with the ceaseless dust of flowers offered by the crowned gods, led by thousand-eyed Indra,
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥5॥
Bhujaṅga-rāja-mālayā nibaddha-jāṭa-jūṭakaḥ śriyai cirāya jāyatāṃ cakora-bandhu-śekharaḥ
his matted crown-knot bound by a garland of the king of serpents -- may that friend of the moon (the moon-crested one) forever be the source of lasting glory for us.
verse 6
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्।
Lalāṭa-catvara-jvalad-dhanañjaya-sphuliṅga-bhā nipīta-pañca-sāyakaṃ naman-nilimpa-nāyakam
By whose blazing sparks on the courtyard of his forehead the five-arrowed love-god (Kama) was consumed, and before whom the lord of the gods bows down,
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः॥6॥
Sudhā-mayūkha-lekhayā virājamāna-śekharaṃ mahā-kapāli-sampade śiro-jaṭālamastu naḥ
may his matted crown, resplendent with the crescent streak of the nectar-moon, become for us the source of the great fortune fit for the great skull-bearing Lord.
verse 7
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्जलद् धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके।
Karāla-bhāla-paṭṭikā-dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jalad dhanañjayāhutī-kṛta-pracaṇḍa-pañca-sāyake
On whose fearsome forehead-band the fire crackles 'dhagad-dhagad', by which the fierce five arrows of desire were offered up into the flame,
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥7॥
Dharā-dharendra-nandinī-kucāgra-citra-patraka prakalpa-naika-śilpini trilocane ratirmama
in that three-eyed one, the peerless artist who traces the ornamental design upon the breast of the mountain-king's daughter -- may my devotion abide.
verse 8
नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत् कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः।
Navīna-megha-maṇḍalī-niruddha-durdhara-sphurat kuhū-niśīthinī-tamaḥ-prabandha-baddha-kandharaḥ
Whose throat is wrapped as if by the unbroken darkness of the new-moon night, held fast within a ring of newly massed, flashing storm clouds,
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः॥8॥
Nilimpa-nirjharī-dharas-tanotu kṛtti-sindhuriḥ kalā-nidhāna-bandhuriḥ śriyaṃ jagad-dhurandhara
may that bearer of the celestial river, wrapped in the elephant-hide, friend of every treasury of art, chief bearer of the world's burden, extend to us his glory.
verse 9
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्।
Praphulla-nīla-paṅkaja-prapañca-kālima-prabhā valambikantha-kandalī-ruci-prabaddha-kandharam
Whose throat is bound about by the loveliness of a cluster of trembling blue lotus-buds, dark as the fully-blossomed blue lotus itself,
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे॥9॥
Smara-cchidaṃ pura-cchidaṃ bhava-cchidaṃ makha-cchidaṃ gaja-cchida-andhaka-cchidaṃ tam-antaka-cchidaṃ bhaje
I worship him: destroyer of desire, destroyer of the triple city, destroyer of worldly bondage, destroyer of the sacrifice, destroyer of the elephant-demon and of Andhaka, that very destroyer of Death itself.
verse 10
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गला कलाकदम्बमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्।
Akharva-sarva-maṅgalā kalā-kadamba-mañjarī rasa-pravāha-mādhurī vijṛmbhaṇā-madhuvratam
The undiminished source of every auspiciousness, the flowering cluster of every art, the sweetness flowing as pure essence, the honeybee ever reveling in that abundant sweetness,
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥10॥
Smarāntakaṃ purāntakaṃ bhavāntakaṃ makhāntakaṃ gajāntakāndhakāntakaṃ tamantakāntakaṃ bhaje
I worship him: ender of desire, ender of the triple city, ender of worldly bondage, ender of the sacrifice, ender of the elephant-demon and of Andhaka, the very ender of Death himself.
verse 11
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमस्फुरत् द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्।
Jayatvad-abhra-vibhrama-bhramad-bhujaṅgama-sphurat dvinir-gamat-krama-sphurat-karāla-bhāla-havyavāṭ
Victorious is the offering-fire blazing on his fearsome forehead, as the vast, sky-filling illusion of coiling serpents whirls and twists, surging forth wave upon wave,
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥11॥
Dhimid-dhimid-dhimi-dhvanan-mṛdaṅga-tuṅga-maṅgala dhvani-krama-pravartita-pracaṇḍa-tāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ
Shiva is victorious, whose fierce tandava dance unfolds to the rhythm of the resounding 'dhimid-dhimid-dhimi' beat of the tall, auspicious mridanga drum.
verse 12
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर् गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः।
Dṛṣad-vicitra-talpayor-bhujaṅga-mauktika-srajor gariṣṭha-ratna-loṣṭhayoḥ suhṛd-vipakṣa-pakṣayoḥ
To whom a bed of rugged stone and a bed strung with pearls and serpents are alike, to whom a precious jewel and a lump of clay are the same, to whom friend and enemy are equal,
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समं प्रव्रितिक: कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम्॥12॥
Tṛṇāravinda-cakṣuṣoḥ prajā-mahī-mahendrayoḥ samaṃ pravṛtikaḥ kadā sadāśivaṃ bhajāmyaham
to whom a blade of grass and a lotus-petal eye are equal, to whom a common subject and a mighty king are the same -- when, with such an even mind, shall I worship the ever-auspicious Shiva?
verse 13
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन्।
Kadā nilimpa-nirjharī-nikuñja-koṭare vasan vimukta-durmatiḥ sadā śiraḥ-stham añjaliṃ vahan
When, dwelling in a hollow of the grove beside the celestial river, my evil intent released, forever bearing my folded hands upon my head,
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥13॥
Vimukta-lola-locano lalāma-bhāla-lagnakaḥ śiveti mantram uccaran kadā sukhī bhavāmyaham
my restless glance stilled, my forehead marked with the sacred sign, chanting the mantra 'Shiva' -- when, oh when, shall I become truly happy?
verse 14
निलिम्प नाथनागरी कदम्ब मौलमल्लिका- निगुम्फनिर्भक्षरन्म धूष्णिकामनोहरः।
Nilimpa-nātha-nāgarī-kadamba-maula-mallikā-nigumpha-nirbhakṣaran-madhūṣṇikā-manoharaḥ
Charming with the honey dripping from the strung jasmine-and-kadamba garlands worn in the crowns of the graceful ladies of the immortal Lord's court,
तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनींमहनिशं परिश्रय परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः॥14॥
Tanotu no mano-mudaṃ vinodinīm-ahaniśaṃ pariśraya paraṃ padaṃ tad-aṅgaja-tviṣāṃ cayaḥ
may he extend to us a delight of mind that renews itself day and night; and may we, taking refuge in that supreme abode, come to share in the very radiance of his form.
verse 15
प्रचण्ड वाडवानल प्रभाशुभप्रचारणी महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनी जनावहूत जल्पना।
Pracaṇḍa-vāḍavānala-prabhā-śubha-pracāraṇī mahāṣṭa-siddhi-kāminī janāvahūta-jalpanā
She who spreads abroad the fierce, auspicious radiance of the submarine fire, the maiden of the eight great powers, summoned by the murmured prayers of her devotees,
विमुक्त वाम लोचनो विवाहकालिकध्वनिः शिवेति मन्त्रभूषगो जगज्जयाय जायताम्॥15॥
Vimukta-vāma-locano vivāha-kālika-dhvaniḥ śiveti mantra-bhūṣago jagaj-jayāya jāyatām
whose restless left eye is stilled, whose voice resounds at the hour of sacred union, chanting the mantra 'Shiva' -- may this ornament of the mantra arise for the victory of the world.
verse 16
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम्।
Imaṃ hi nityam-evam-uktam-uttamottamaṃ stavaṃ paṭhan-smaran-bruvan-naro viśuddhim-eti santatam
Whoever constantly recites, remembers, or utters this ever-proclaimed, most excellent of hymns, attains unbroken purification,
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम्॥16॥
Hare gurau subhaktim āśu yāti nānyathā gatiṃ vimohanaṃ hi dehinām suśaṅkarasya cintanam
and swiftly gains true devotion to Hara, the Guru, finding no other path; for the very contemplation of the auspicious Shankara frees all embodied beings from delusion.
phalashruti
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे।
Pūjāvasāna-samaye daśavaktra-gītaṃ yaḥ śambhu-pūjanaparam paṭhati pradoṣe
Whoever, at the close of worship, devoted to the worship of Shambhu, recites this song composed by the ten-headed one (Ravana) in the evening twilight,
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः॥17॥
Tasya sthirāṃ ratha-gajendra-turaṅga-yuktāṃ lakṣmīṃ sadaiva sumukhiṃ pradadāti śambhuḥ
to him Shambhu ever grants a lasting fortune, joined with chariots, lordly elephants, and horses, and a gracious, radiant prosperity.
colophon
इति श्रीरावणकृतं शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम्।
Iti śrī-rāvaṇa-kṛtaṃ śiva-tāṇḍava-stotraṃ sampūrṇam
Thus concludes the glorious Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by Ravana.
Sourced and cross-checked against two independent sources; our meanings are written in our own words, never copied. Personal, devotional use — including printing and sharing short excerpts with attribution — is free and encouraged.