Shiv Tandav Stotram — Lyrics with Meaning

Verse 1

Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale galeavalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam | Damad damad damad damanninadavad damarvayam chakara chandatandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam ||1||

With the ground made holy by the Ganga flowing from the forest of his matted hair, a garland of great serpents hanging from his neck, he danced the fierce Tandav to the 'damad-damad' beat of his drum — may that Shiv bring us good.

Verse 2

Jatakatahasambhrama bhramannilimpanirjhari- vilolavichivallari virajamanamurdhani | Dhagad dhagad dhagajjvalal lalatapattapavake kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama ||2||

His head shines with the restless waves of the heavenly Ganga swirling in his matted locks, fire blazes on his forehead, and a young crescent moon adorns his crown — may my love for him grow every moment.

Verse 3

Dharadharendranandini vilasabandhubandhura- sphuraddigantasantati pramodamanamanase | Kripakatakshadhorani niruddhadurdharapadi kvachiddigambare mano vinodametu vastuni ||3||

He is the companion in the joyful play of Parvati, daughter of the mountain king; his heart delights in all beings across the directions; his merciful glance stops even the hardest calamity — may my mind find joy in that sky-clad Lord.

Verse 4

Jatabhujangapingala sphuratphanamaniprabha- kadambakunkumadrava praliptadigvadhumukhe | Madandhasindhura sphurattvaguttariyamedure mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari ||4||

The tawny glow of gems on the hoods of serpents in his hair paints the faces of the directions as if with saffron, and he wears the gleaming hide of a mighty elephant — may my mind find wondrous joy in the Lord of all beings.

Verse 5

Sahasralochana prabhrityasheshalekhashekhara- prasunadhulidhorani vidhusaranghripithabhuh | Bhujangarajamalaya nibaddhajatajutakah shriyai chiraya jayatam chakorabandhushekharah ||5||

The footstool of his feet is grey with pollen falling from the crowns of Indra and all the gods who bow to him; his hair is tied with the king of serpents; the moon rests on his head — may that Shiv grant us lasting prosperity.

Verse 6

Lalatachatvarajvalad dhananjayasphulingabha- nipitapanchasayakam namannilimpanayakam | Sudhamayukhalekhaya virajamanashekharam mahakapali sampade shiro jatalamastu nah ||6||

The sparks of fire blazing on his forehead consumed Kamadev, the god of desire; the king of the gods bows to him; a sliver of the moon graces his head — may that matted-haired head of the great Shiv bring us fortune.

Verse 7

Karalabhalapattika dhagad dhagad dhagajjvala- ddhananjayahutikrita prachandapanchasayake | Dharadharendranandini kuchagrachitrapatraka- prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama ||7||

In the fire blazing on his fearsome forehead, the mighty god of desire was offered up like an oblation; he is the one matchless artist who draws decorative designs for Parvati — may my love rest in the three-eyed Lord.

Verse 8

Navinameghamandali niruddhadurdharasphurat- kuhunishithinitamah prabandhabaddhakandharah | Nilimpanirjharidharastanotu krittisindhurah kalanidhanabandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah ||8||

His throat is dark like a moonless midnight covered by fresh rain clouds; he holds the heavenly Ganga, wears an elephant hide, is graced by the moon and carries the weight of the world — may he spread prosperity for us.

Verse 9

Praphullanilapankaja prapanchakalimaprabha- valambikanthakandali ruchiprabaddhakandharam | Smarachchhidam purachchhidam bhavachchhidam makhachchhidam gajachchhidandhakachchhidam tamantakachchhidam bhaje ||9||

His neck glows with the dark lustre of blooming blue lotuses; he cut down Kamadev, the three cities, the bondage of worldly life, Daksha's sacrifice, the elephant demon, Andhaka and even Yama — I worship that Shiv.

Verse 10

Akharvasarvamangala kalakadambamanjari- rasapravahamadhuri vijrimbhanamadhuvratam | Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje ||10||

Like a bee enjoying the sweet nectar of the blossoms of all-auspicious Parvati's graces, he is the ender of desire, of the three cities, of worldly bondage, of the sacrifice, of the elephant demon, of Andhaka and of death itself — I worship him.

Verse 11

Jayatvadabhravibhrama bhramadbhujangamashvasa- dvinirgamatkramasphurat karalabhalahavyavat | Dhimiddhimiddhimidhvanan mridangatungamangala- dhvanikramapravartita prachandatandavah shivah ||11||

The fierce fire on his forehead flares up with the hissing breath of swiftly whirling serpents, and he dances the mighty Tandav to the rising, auspicious 'dhimi-dhimi' beat of the mridang — victory to that Shiv.

Verse 12

Drishadvichitratalpayor bhujangamauktikasrajor- garishtharatnaloshthayoh suhridvipakshapakshayoh | Trinaravindachakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh samam pravartayanmanah kada sadashivam bhaje ||12||

A stone or a fine bed, a snake or a pearl necklace, a precious gem or a clod of earth, friend or foe, a blade of grass or lotus eyes, common folk or a king — when will I look on all these with an equal mind and worship Sadashiv?

Verse 13

Kada nilimpanirjharinikunjakotare vasan vimuktadurmatih sada shirah sthamanjalim vahan | Vimuktalolalochano lalamabhalalagnakah shiveti mantramuchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham ||13||

When will I live in the groves along the heavenly Ganga, free of wrong thoughts, palms joined above my head, my restless gaze stilled, my forehead marked, chanting the mantra 'Shiv' — when will I be truly happy?

Verse 14

Imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam pathansmaranbruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam | Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam ||14||

Whoever daily reads, remembers and recites this finest of hymns keeps growing purer and soon gains deep devotion to Shiv, the Guru; there is no other way. Meditating on Shiv removes the delusion of embodied beings.

Verse 15

Pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshe | Tasya sthiram rathagajendraturangayuktam lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh ||15||

Whoever reads this hymn of Shiv worship, sung by ten-headed Ravan, at the end of worship on Pradosh evening — tradition says Shambhu grants that person steady prosperity, rich with chariots, elephants and horses.