Shiv Tandav Stotram
Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale
Galeavalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam
Damad damad damaddama ninadavadamarvayam
Chakara chandtandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam
Jata kata hasambhrama bhramanilimpanirjhari
Vilolavichivalarai virajamanamurdhani
Dhagadhagadhagajjva lalalata pattapavake
Kishora chandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama
Dharadharendrana ndinivilasabandhubandhura
Sphuradigantasantati pramodamanamanase
Krupakatakshadhorani nirudhadurdharapadi
Kvachidigambare manovinodametuvastuni
Jata bhujan gapingala sphuratphanamaniprabha
Kadambakunkuma dravapralipta digvadhumukhe
Madandha sindhu rasphuratvagutariyamedure
Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari
Sahasra lochana prabhritya sheshalekhashekhara
Prasuna dhulidhorani vidhusaranghripithabhuh
Bhujangaraja malaya nibaddhajatajutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora bandhushekharah
Lalata chatvarajvaladhanajnjayasphulingabha
nipitapajnchasayakam namannilimpanayakam
Sudha mayukha lekhaya virajamanashekharam
Maha kapali sampade shirojatalamastunah
Karala bhala pattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvala
Ddhanajnjaya hutikruta prachandapajnchasayake
Dharadharendra nandini kuchagrachitrapatraka
Prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama
navina megha mandali niruddhadurdharasphurat
Kuhu nishithinitamah prabandhabaddhakandharah
nilimpanirjhari dharastanotu krutti sindhurah
Kalanidhanabandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah
Praphulla nila pankaja prapajnchakalimchatha
Vdambi kanthakandali raruchi prabaddhakandharam
Smarachchidam purachchhidam bhavachchidam makhachchidam
Gajachchidandhakachidam tamamtakachchidam bhaje
Akharvagarvasarvamangala kalakadambamajnjari
Rasapravaha madhuri vijrumbhana madhuvratam
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje
Jayatvadabhravibhrama bhramadbhujangamasafur
Dhigdhigdhi nirgamatkarala bhaal havyavat
Dhimiddhimiddhimidhva nanmrudangatungamangala
Dhvanikramapravartita prachanda tandavah shivah
Drushadvichitratalpayor bhujanga mauktikasrajor
Garishtharatnaloshthayoh suhrudvipakshapakshayoh
Trushnaravindachakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh
Sama pravartayanmanah kada sadashivam bhaje
Kada nilimpanirjhari nikujnjakotare vasanh
Vimuktadurmatih sada shirah sthamajnjalim vahanh
Vimuktalolalochano lalamabhalalagnakah
Shiveti mantramuchcharan sada sukhi bhavamyaham
Imam hi nityameva muktamuttamottamam stavam
Pathansmaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam
Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim
Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam
Origin of Shiv Tandav Stotram
Sadhguru: Ravana was a fierce devotee of Shiva and there are many stories about them. A devotee shouldn’t become great, but he was a great devotee. He came to Kailash all the way from down south – I want you to just imagine walking all the way – and began to sing Shiva’s praises. He had a drum which he used to set the beat and composed 1008 verses extempore, which is called the Shiva Tandava Stotram.
Shiva was so pleased and enamoured listening to this music. As he sang, slowly, Ravana started climbing Kailash from its Southern Face. When Ravana was almost on top, and with Shiva still engrossed in this music, Parvati saw this man climbing up.
There is space only for two people on top! So Parvati tried to bring Shiva out of his musical rapture. She said, “This man is coming all the way up!” But Shiva was too engrossed in the music and poetry. Then finally, Parvati managed to bring him out of being enthralled, and when Ravana reached the peak, Shiva just pushed him off with his feet. Ravana went sliding down the South Face of Kailash. They say his drum was dragging behind him as he slid down and it left a furrow on the mountain all the way down. If you look at the South Face, you will see a wedge-like scar in the center going straight down.
It is a little inappropriate to distinguish or to discriminate between one face of Kailash and the other, but the South Face is dear to us because Agastya Muni merged into the South Face. It is just a South Indian prejudice that we like the South Face and I think it is the most beautiful face! It is definitely the whitest face because it is very snowy there.
In many ways it is the most intense face but very few people go to the South Face. It is far less accessible and involves a more difficult route than the other faces, and only certain type of people go there.
Meaning and Significance
The Shiv Tandav Stotram is a hymn to the Hindu god Shiva, praising his cosmic dance, the Tandava. It is believed to have been composed by the demon king Ravana, who was a devotee of Shiva.
The hymn is divided into 15 verses, each of which describes a different aspect of Shiva’s Tandava. The first verse describes Shiva’s appearance as he dances, with his matted locks flying, his skin ablaze with fire, and his third eye open wide. The subsequent verses describe the effects of Shiva’s dance on the universe, including the destruction of evil, the creation of new life, and the liberation of souls from the cycle of birth and death.
Here is a brief summary of the meanings of each verse of the Shiv Tandav Stotram:
Verse 1: Describes Shiva’s appearance as he dances, with his matted locks flying, his skin ablaze with fire, and his third eye open wide.
Verse 2: Describes the power of Shiva’s Tandava to shake the foundations of the universe.
Verse 3: Describes the destruction of evil spirits and demons as a result of Shiva’s dance.
Verse 4: Describes the creation of new life as a result of Shiva’s dance.
Verse 5: Describes the liberation of souls from the cycle of birth and death as a result of Shiva’s dance.
Verse 6: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of joy and happiness for all beings.
Verse 7: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of protection for his devotees.
Verse 8: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of strength and power for his devotees.
Verse 9: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of wisdom and knowledge for his devotees.
Verse 10: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of love and compassion for his devotees.
Verse 11: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of peace and tranquility for his devotees.
Verse 12: Describes Shiva’s dance as a source of bliss and liberation for his devotees.
Verse 13: Describes the power of Shiva’s Tandava to overcome all obstacles.
Verse 14: Describes the benefits of chanting the Shiv Tandav Stotram.
Verse 15: Concludes the hymn with a prayer to Shiva, asking for his blessings.
The Shiv Tandav Stotram is a powerful and moving hymn that praises Shiva’s cosmic dance, the Tandava. It is a hymn that can be enjoyed by people of all faiths, as it is a celebration of the divine power and energy of Shiva.
