The Shiv Tandav Stotram is a powerful hymn composed by Ravana, dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Tandava dance. Chanting this rhythmic hymn is believed to bring inner strength and spiritual awakening, making it a revered practice for devotees.
Introduction
The Shiv Tandav Stotram is one of the most powerful and electrifying hymns in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Shiva – the destroyer and transformer among the Holy Trinity. Composed by Ravana, the great devotee and king of Lanka, this stotra (hymn) captures the fierce beauty, rhythmic energy, and divine glory of Lord Shiva’s Tandava dance.
The Story Behind Shiv Tandav Stotram
According to legends, Ravana once tried to lift Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, to show his power. Angered by this arrogance, Lord Shiva pressed the mountain down with his toe, trapping Ravana. Realizing his mistake and overwhelmed by Shiva’s might, Ravana sang the Shiv Tandav Stotram in praise and surrender. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva forgave him and granted him blessings.
This divine composition showcases Ravana’s poetic brilliance and intense devotion towards Lord Shiva.
Structure and Meaning
The Shiv Tandav Stotram consists of 16 rhythmic stanzas, each rich with vivid imagery, Sanskrit alliteration, and devotional intensity. The hymn describes:
- Lord Shiva’s majestic form, adorned with snakes and ashes
- The crescent moon resting on his matted hair
- The Ganga flowing through his locks
- The roaring damru and his wild, ecstatic dance
- The destruction of ignorance and ego through divine fire
Each verse is a masterpiece of rhythm and vibration, invoking a trance-like state in the listener or chanter.
Watch the Shiv Tandav Stotram Video
Benefits of Chanting Shiv Tandav Stotram
- Spiritual Awakening: Elevates the mind and soul to higher states of consciousness.
- Inner Strength: Fills the chanter with courage, clarity, and fearlessness.
- Removal of Negativity: Destroys evil energies, mental blocks, and inner darkness.
- Blessings of Lord Shiva: Attracts Shiva’s grace, protection, and transformation.
- Improved Focus: Enhances mental clarity and concentration.
- Vibrational Healing: The powerful rhythm positively influences the body’s energy centers.
Why Listen to Shiv Tandav Stotram During Shravan Month
The month of Shravan (Sawan) is especially dear to Lord Shiva. Devotees perform fasting, Rudrabhishek, and chant mantras to seek blessings. Listening to or chanting the Shiv Tandav Stotram during this holy month:
- Magnifies its spiritual effects
- Deepens your connection with Lord Shiva
- Cleanses your karmas and strengthens your devotion
Watch the Shiv Tandav Stotram Video
We at BhaktiMeShakti have created a powerful video version of this divine stotram with soulful visuals and vibrations to help you meditate and connect with Lord Shiva.
Lyrics of Shiv Tandav Stotram by Ravan
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥1॥
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी
विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥2॥
धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे ।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे(क्वचिच्चिदम्बरे) मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥3॥
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥4॥
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः ।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥5॥
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा
निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् ।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥6॥
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल
द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके ।
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥7॥
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः ।
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ॥8॥
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा
वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् ।
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥9॥
अगर्व सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी
रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् ।
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥10॥
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस
द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् ।
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥11॥
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्
गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
समं प्रव्रितिक: कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम ॥12॥
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् ।
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥13॥
निलिम्प नाथनागरी कदम्ब मौलमल्लिका-
निगुम्फनिर्भक्षरन्म धूष्णिकामनोहरः ।
तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनींमहनिशं
परिश्रय परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः ॥14॥
प्रचण्ड वाडवानल प्रभाशुभप्रचारणी
महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनी जनावहूत जल्पना ।
विमुक्त वाम लोचनो विवाहकालिकध्वनिः
शिवेति मन्त्रभूषगो जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥15॥
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं
पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् ।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ॥16॥
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं
यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे ।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥17॥
इति श्रीरावण कृतम्
शिव ताण्डव स्तोत्र संपूर्णम
ॐ नमः शिवाय, ॐ नमः शिवाय, ॐ नमः शिवाय
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the spiritual significance of chanting the Shiv Tandav Stotram?
Chanting this hymn is believed to instill inner strength and remove negative energies, attracting the blessings of Lord Shiva for spiritual awakening.
Who is the author of the Shiv Tandav Stotram?
The Shiv Tandav Stotram was composed by Ravana, a great devotee and the demon king of Lanka.
Why are the Shiv Tandav lyrics so fast and rhythmic?
The fast rhythm of the lyrics mimics the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, creating powerful vibrations for a meditative experience.
Is it necessary to know the meaning of the Shiv Tandav lyrics to receive their benefits?
While the sound itself is beneficial, understanding the meaning of the lyrics can deepen your devotion and make the practice more profound.
Where can I find a reliable translation of the Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics in English?
You can find reliable translations on many spiritual websites and in books dedicated to Hindu hymns.
How can I use the Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics in English for my practice?
Reading the translation helps you meditate on the hymn’s meaning and connect more deeply with its spiritual essence.
What is the significance of the Shiv Tandav dance?
The Shiv Tandav dance is a cosmic, powerful dance performed by Lord Shiva. It symbolizes the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the universe, representing the fierce energy of destruction that paves the way for new beginnings.
Where can I find the authentic Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics?
The most authentic Shiv Tandav lyrics are in their original Sanskrit. You can find them in ancient texts and on reputable online platforms, often with Devanagari script, English transliteration, and a translation to help you understand the meaning.
How do the Shiv Tandav lyrics describe Lord Shiva?
The lyrics are rich with vivid imagery, describing Lord Shiva’s fierce and majestic form. They detail his matted hair, the crescent moon on his head, the flow of the Ganga, and his association with cosmic destruction and creation through his Tandava dance.
How can the Shiv Tandav Stotram help with mental health?
The Shiv Tandav dance symbolizes the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction, with Shiva destroying ignorance to allow for new beginnings.
