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Shiva Tandava Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

शिव तांडव स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Shiva Tandava Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Jatatavi galajjala pravaha pavitasthale
  2. Verse 2. Jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjhari
  3. Verse 3. Dharadharendra nandini vilasabandhu bandhura
  4. Verse 4. Jatabhujanga pingala sphuratphana maniprabha
  5. Verse 5. Sahasralochana prabhrityasheshalekha shekhara
  6. Verse 6. Lalata chatvarajvaladdhananjaya sphulingabha
  7. Verse 7. Karala phalapattika dhagaddhagaddhagajjvala
  8. Verse 8. Navinameghamandali niruddha durdhara sphurat
  9. Verse 9. Praphulla nila pankaja prapancha kalimaprabha
  10. Verse 10. Akharva sarvamangala kalakadambamanjari
  11. Verse 11. Jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhramadbhujangamashvasa
  12. Verse 12. Drishadvichitra talpayorbhujanga mauktika srajo
  13. Verse 13. Kada nilimpanirjhari nikunjakotare vasan
  14. Verse 14. Imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam
  15. Verse 15. Pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam
  16. Verse 16. Iti shriravanakritam shivatandavastotram sampurnam
Verse 1#

Jatatavi galajjala pravaha pavitasthale

जटाटवी गलज्जल प्रवाह पावितस्थले गलेवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्

Jatatavi galajjala pravaha pavitasthale Galevalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam Damaddamaddamaddamanninadavaddamarvayam Chakara chandatandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam

MeaningFrom the dense forest of his matted hair the holy Ganga's stream flows, sanctifying the ground; a lofty garland of serpents hangs upon his neck. Beating the damaru drum with the sound 'damad-damad-damad-daman', Shiva performed the fierce Tandava — may He spread auspiciousness upon us.

Verse 2#

Jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjhari

जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी विलोलवीचिवल्लरी विराजमानमूर्धनि धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाट पट्‍टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम

Jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjhari Vilolavichivallari virajamanamurdhani Dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalata pattapavake Kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama

MeaningMy mind delights every moment in Shiva — on whose head the celestial Ganga whirls amid the matted locks, on whose forehead the fire blazes 'dhagad-dhagad-dhagad', and who wears the crescent moon as his crest-jewel.

Verse 3#

Dharadharendra nandini vilasabandhu bandhura

धराधरेन्द्र नन्दिनी विलासबन्धु बन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्त सन्तति प्रमोद मानमानसे कृपाकटाक्षधोरणी निरुद्ध दुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनोविनोदमेतु वस्तुनि

Dharadharendra nandini vilasabandhu bandhura Sphuraddiganta santati pramoda manamanase Kripakatakshadhorani niruddha durdharapadi Kvachiddigambare manovinodametu vastuni

MeaningMay my mind find delight in the sky-clad Shiva — the loving companion of Parvati (daughter of the mountain king), whose mind rejoices in all the worlds, and whose merciful sidelong glance holds back the direst calamities.

Verse 4#

Jatabhujanga pingala sphuratphana maniprabha

जटाभुजङ्ग पिङ्गल स्फुरत्फणा मणिप्रभा कदम्ब कुङ्कुम द्रव प्रलिप्त दिग्वधूमुखे मदान्ध सिन्धुर स्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि

Jatabhujanga pingala sphuratphana maniprabha Kadamba kunkuma drava pralipta digvadhumukhe Madandha sindhura sphurattvaguttariyamedure Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari

MeaningMay my mind hold wondrous delight in Shiva, sustainer of beings — the glow of the gem-hooded tawny serpents in his matted hair smears the faces of the directions like kadamba-kunkuma paste, and the elephant-hide is his glistening upper garment.

Verse 5#

Sahasralochana prabhrityasheshalekha shekhara

सहस्रलोचन प्रभृत्यशेषलेख शेखर प्रसूनधूलि धोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रि पीठभूः भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्ध जाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धु शेखरः

Sahasralochana prabhrityasheshalekha shekhara Prasunadhuli dhorani vidhusaranghri pithabhuh Bhujangarajamalaya nibaddha jatajutakah Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakorabandhu shekharah

MeaningMay Shiva grant us lasting prosperity — whose footstool is grey with the flower-pollen falling from the heads of Indra and all the bowing gods, whose matted hair is bound by the king of serpents, and who bears the moon (friend of the chakora) as his crest.

Verse 6#

Lalata chatvarajvaladdhananjaya sphulingabha

ललाट चत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जय स्फुलिङ्गभा निपीत पञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमान शेखरं महाकपालि सम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः

Lalata chatvarajvaladdhananjaya sphulingabha Nipita panchasayakam namannilimpanayakam Sudhamayukhalekhaya virajamana shekharam Mahakapali sampade shirojatalamastu nah

MeaningMay the matted locks of Shiva grant us great fortune — who drank up the five-arrowed Kama in the fire blazing on his forehead, before whom the lord of gods bows, and who is adorned by the nectar-rayed crescent moon.

Verse 7#

Karala phalapattika dhagaddhagaddhagajjvala

कराल फालपट्‍टिका धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृत प्रचण्ड पञ्चसायके धराधरेन्द्र नन्दिनी कुचाग्र चित्रपत्रक प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम

Karala phalapattika dhagaddhagaddhagajjvala Ddhananjayahutikrita prachanda panchasayake Dharadharendra nandini kuchagra chitrapatraka Prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama

MeaningMy delight is in the three-eyed Shiva — the one supreme artist who painted the designs upon Parvati's breast, into whose terrible forehead-fire the fierce five-arrowed Kama was offered as oblation.

Verse 8#

Navinameghamandali niruddha durdhara sphurat

नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्ध दुर्धर स्फुरत् कुहू निशीथिनी तमः प्रबन्ध बद्ध कन्धरः निलिम्प निर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधान बन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः

Navinameghamandali niruddha durdhara sphurat Kuhu nishithini tamah prabandha baddha kandharah Nilimpa nirjharidharastanotu krittisindhurah Kalanidhana bandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah

MeaningMay Shiva grant us prosperity — whose neck is dark as a bank of fresh clouds on a moonless midnight, who bears the Ganga and the elephant-hide, the resting-place of the moon, the bearer of the burden of the worlds.

Verse 9#

Praphulla nila pankaja prapancha kalimaprabha

प्रफुल्ल नील पङ्कज प्रपञ्च कालिमप्रभा वलम्बि कण्ठ कन्दली रुचि प्रबद्ध कन्धरम् स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे

Praphulla nila pankaja prapancha kalimaprabha Valambi kantha kandali ruchi prabaddha kandharam Smarachchhidam purachchhidam bhavachchhidam makhachchhidam Gajachchhidandhakachchhidam tamantakachchhidam bhaje

MeaningI worship Shiva — whose throat is dark and lovely like a full-blown blue lotus, like the cosmic gloom; the destroyer of Kama, of the three cities, of worldly existence, of Daksha's sacrifice, of the elephant-demon, of Andhaka, and even of Yama (death).

Verse 10#

Akharva sarvamangala kalakadambamanjari

अखर्व सर्वमङ्गला कलाकदम्बमञ्जरी रसप्रवाह माधुरी विजृम्भणा मधुव्रतम् स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे

Akharva sarvamangala kalakadambamanjari Rasapravaha madhuri vijrimbhana madhuvratam Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam Gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje

MeaningI worship Shiva, the bee who drinks the sweet flowing nectar of the ever-auspicious blossoming flower of all the arts — the ender of Kama, of Tripura, of existence, of the sacrifice, of the elephant-demon, of Andhaka, and the very ender of Death.

Verse 11#

Jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhramadbhujangamashvasa

जयत्वदभ्र विभ्रम भ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस द्विनिर्गमत् क्रमस्फुरत् कराल फालहव्यवाट् धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन् मृदङ्ग तुङ्ग मङ्गल ध्वनिक्रम प्रवर्तित प्रचण्ड ताण्डवः शिवः

Jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhramadbhujangamashvasa Dvinirgamat kramasphurat karala phalahavyavat Dhimiddhimiddhimidhvanan mridanga tunga mangala Dhvanikrama pravartita prachanda tandavah shivah

MeaningMay Shiva, who dances the fierce Tandava, be victorious — amid the hissing of the writhing serpents and the terrible fire blazing on his forehead, to the auspicious 'dhimid-dhimid' beat of the lofty mridanga drum.

Verse 12#

Drishadvichitra talpayorbhujanga mauktika srajo

दृषद्विचित्र तल्पयोर्भुजङ्ग मौक्तिक स्रजो र्गरिष्ठ रत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्ष पक्षयोः तृणारविन्द चक्षुषोः प्रजामही महेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम्

Drishadvichitra talpayorbhujanga mauktika srajo Rgarishtha ratnaloshthayoh suhridvipaksha pakshayoh Trinaravinda chakshushoh prajamahi mahendrayoh Samapravrittikah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham

MeaningWhen, with an equal eye toward a couch of stones and a bed of jewels, a serpent and a pearl-garland, gravel and precious gems, friend and foe, a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty, the common people and the mighty emperor — shall I worship Sadashiva?

Verse 13#

Kada nilimpanirjhari nikunjakotare vasan

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरी निकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्त दुर्मतिः सदा शिरस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् विलोल लोललोचनो ललामफाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्

Kada nilimpanirjhari nikunjakotare vasan Vimukta durmatih sada shirasthamanjalim vahan Vilola lolalochano lalamaphalalagnakah Shiveti mantramuchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham

MeaningWhen, dwelling in a hollow amid the thickets by the Ganga, free of evil thought, ever bearing folded hands upon my head, my restless eyes purified, reciting the mantra 'Shiva' — when shall I become truly happy?

Verse 14#

Imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam

इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन् स्मरन् ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम् हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम्

Imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam Pathan smaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam

MeaningReciting, remembering or reading this most excellent hymn daily, a person is ever purified and swiftly attains deep devotion to Hara and the Guru; there is no other way — the contemplation of Shankara surely dispels the delusion of embodied beings.

Verse 15#

Pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam

पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्र तुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः

Pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam Yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshe Tasya sthiram rathagajendra turangayuktam Lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh

MeaningWhoever, at dusk (Pradosh) after completing the worship of Shambhu, recites this song by the ten-faced Ravana — upon him Shambhu bestows enduring Lakshmi (prosperity), complete with chariots, elephants and horses.

Verse 16#

Iti shriravanakritam shivatandavastotram sampurnam

इति श्रीरावणकृतं शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम्

Iti shriravanakritam shivatandavastotram sampurnam

MeaningThus concludes the Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by the ten-headed Ravana.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

जटाटवी
Jatatavee
Dense forest of matted hair
गलज्जल
Galajjala
Flowing water (Ganga)
भुजङ्ग
Bhujanga
Serpent
तुङ्गमालिका
Tunga Malika
Lofty garland
डमड्डम
Damad Damad
Sound of the damaru drum
चण्डताण्डव
Chanda Tandava
Fierce cosmic dance
शिवम्
Shivam
Auspiciousness, Shiva
निलिम्पनिर्झरी
Nilimpa Nirjhari
River of the gods (Ganga)
ललाटपट्ट
Lalata Patta
Surface of the forehead
किशोरचन्द्र
Kishora Chandra
Crescent moon
शेखर
Shekhara
Crown, crest
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनी
Dharadharendra Nandini
Daughter of the king of mountains (Parvati)
कृपाकटाक्ष
Kripa Kataksha
Merciful glance
दिगम्बर
Digambara
Sky-clad (Shiva)
कदम्बकुङ्कुम
Kadamba Kunkuma
Kadamba flowers and vermillion
भूतभर्तरि
Bhutabhartari
Lord of all beings

Origin & History

Source: Composed independently

Author: Ravana, King of Lanka

Period: Treta Yuga (mythological era)

According to the Ramayana, Ravana was one of the greatest Shiva devotees. When he tried to lift Mount Kailash, Shiva pressed it down, crushing Ravana's fingers. In agony and devotion, Ravana composed the Shiva Tandava Stotram — so powerful that Shiva blessed him with an invincible sword.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
It was composed by Ravana, the king of Lanka, who was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva despite being the antagonist of the Ramayana.
What is the Tandava?
Tandava is the divine cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. It represents the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. The Rudra Tandava is the fierce form performed at the time of cosmic dissolution.
When should I chant Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Best chanted on Mondays, during Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight), on Maha Shivaratri, or during Shravan month. It can also be chanted any time you need Shiva's protection.
Is Shiva Tandava Stotram dangerous to chant?
No. It is a devotional hymn praising Lord Shiva. However, it carries intense energy, so chant with respect and pure intention. It is not recommended to chant casually or disrespectfully.

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