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🕉 Shiv Tandav Stotram

📜 Shiv Tandav Stotram

Stotra

AuthorRavana (by tradition)

LanguageSanskrit

MetrePanchachamara

Verses15

Recitation timeabout 6–8 minutes

SpecialPradosh-kaal, Monday, Shravan

The Shiv Tandav Stotram is famous for its sound and rhythm — every line echoes like the damru and mridang. By tradition it was sung by Ravana, a devotee of Shiva, to please him when he was pinned under Mount Kailash.

📖 Full text — with meaning

Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.

जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥१॥

Jatatavigalajjalapravahapavitasthale Gale'valambya Lambitam Bhujangatungamalikam | Damaddamaddamaddamanninadavaddamarvayam Chakara Chandatandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam ||1 ||

He whose locks, like a forest, let the Ganga's stream sanctify the ground, around whose neck hangs a garland of great serpents, and who danced the fierce Tandava to the «dam-dam» of the damru — may that Shiva bring us well-being.

जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥२॥

Jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjhari- Vilolavichivallarivirajamanamurdhani | Dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalatapattapavake Kishorachandrashekhare Ratih Pratikshanam Mama ||2 ||

In whose head, like a cauldron of matted hair, the restless waves of the celestial river whirl, on whose forehead fire blazes «dhag-dhag» and who wears the crescent moon — may my love for that Shiva remain every moment.

धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥३॥

Dharadharendranandinivilasabandhubandhura Sphuraddigantasantatipramodamanamanase | Kripakatakshadhoraniniruddhadurdharapadi Kvachiddigambare Mano Vinodametu Vastuni ||3 ||

Companion in the play of the mountain-king's daughter (Parvati), whose mind rejoices in the beings of all directions, whose stream of merciful glances stops even the hardest calamity — may my mind find joy in that sky-clad Shiva.

जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥४॥

Jatabhujangapingalasphuratphanamaniprabha Kadambakunkumadravapraliptadigvadhumukhe | Madandhasindhurasphurattvaguttariyamedure Mano Vinodamadbhutam Bibhartu Bhutabhartari ||4 ||

The yellow glow of the jewels on the hoods of the serpents in his locks makes the faces of the directions look smeared with saffron, and he wears the hide of a maddened elephant — may my mind find wondrous joy in that lord of beings.

सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥५॥

Sahasralochanaprabhrityasheshalekhashekhara Prasunadhulidhorani Vidhusaranghripithabhuh | Bhujangarajamalaya Nibaddhajatajutaka Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam Chakorabandhushekharah ||5 ||

Whose footstool is grey with the pollen of the flowers on the crowns of Indra and all the gods, whose matted locks are tied with the king of serpents — may that moon-crested Shiva give us lasting prosperity.

ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्। सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः॥६॥

Lalatachatvarajvaladdhananjayasphulingabha- Nipitapanchasayakam Namannilimpanayakam | Sudhamayukhalekhaya Virajamanashekharam Mahakapalisampadeshirojatalamastu Nah ||6 ||

Who burnt Kamadeva with the spark of the fire on the altar of his forehead, to whom the king of gods bows, whose head shines with the crescent moon — may that matted-haired Mahakapali give us wealth.

कराल भालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥७॥

Karala Bhalapattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvala- Ddhananjayahutikritaprachandapanchasayake | Dharadharendranandinikuchagrachitrapatraka- Prakalpanaikashilpini Trilochane Ratirmama ||7 ||

Who offered the fierce Kamadeva as an oblation into the fire blazing on his terrible forehead, and who is the only artist to paint ornaments on Parvati — may my love be for that three-eyed one.

नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः॥८॥

Navinameghamandaliniruddhadurdharasphurat- Kuhunishithinitamah Prabandhabaddhakandharah | Nilimpanirjharidharastanotu Krittisindhurah Kalanidhanabandhurah Shriyam Jagaddhurandharah ||8 ||

Whose neck is dark like the thick darkness of a new-moon midnight covered by new clouds, who holds the Ganga, wears the elephant hide, is lovely with the moon and bears the burden of the world — may that Shiva give us prosperity.

प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे॥९॥

Praphullanilapankajaprapanchakalimaprabha- Valambikanthakandaliruchiprabaddhakandharam | Smarachchhidam Purachchhidam Bhavachchhidam Makhachchhidam Gajachchhidandhakachchhidam Tamantakachchhidam Bhaje ||9 ||

Whose neck shines dark like a bed of blooming blue lotuses, who cut down Kama, Tripura, worldly bondage, Daksha's sacrifice, Gajasura, Andhaka and even Yama (death) — I worship that Shiva.

अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥१०॥

Akharvasarvamangalakalakadambamanjari Rasapravahamadhurivijrimbhanamadhuvratam | Smarantakam Purantakam Bhavantakam Makhantakam Gajantakandhakantakam Tamantakantakam Bhaje ||10 ||

Who is the bee drinking the sweet nectar of the kadamba-blossom of the arts of Sarvamangala (Parvati), and who ends Kama, Tripura, worldly life, the sacrifice, Gajasura, Andhaka and Yama — I worship that Shiva.

जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥११॥

Jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujangamashvasa- Dvinirgamatkramasphuratkaralabhalahavyavat | Dhimiddhimiddhimidhvananmridangatungamangala Dhvanikramapravartita Prachandatandavah Shivah ||11 ||

On whose forehead a terrible fire flares from the hissing of swiftly circling serpents, and whose fierce Tandava goes on to the auspicious «dhimi-dhimi» of the mridang — victory to that Shiva.

दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः। तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥१२॥

Drishadvichitratalpayorbhujangamauktikasrajor- Garishtharatnaloshthayoh Suhridvipakshapakshayoh | Trinaravindachakshushoh Prajamahimahendrayoh Samam Pravartayanmanah Kada Sadashivam Bhaje ||12 ||

Treating alike a stone and a fine bed, a serpent and a pearl necklace, a precious gem and a lump of clay, friend and foe, a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed woman, the people and the emperor — when shall I worship Sadashiva?

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥१३॥

Kada Nilimpanirjharinikunjakotare Vasan Vimuktadurmatih Sada Shirah Sthamanjalim Vahan | Vilolalolalochano Lalamabhalalagnakah Shiveti Mantramuchcharan Kada Sukhi Bhavamyaham ||13 ||

When shall I, living in a grove by the Ganga, free from evil thoughts, with folded hands on my head, with tilak on my forehead, chanting the mantra «Shiva», be happy?

इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम्॥१४॥

Imam Hi Nityamevamuktamuttamottamam Stavam Pathansmaranbruvannaro Vishuddhimeti Santatam | Hare Gurau Subhaktimashu Yati Nanyatha Gatim Vimohanam Hi Dehinam Sushankarasya Chintanam ||14 ||

Whoever daily reads, remembers and speaks this best of hymns stays ever pure and quickly gains firm devotion to the Guru (Shiva) — there is no other way; meditation on Shankar removes the delusion of beings.

पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः॥१५॥

Pujavasanasamaye Dashavaktragitam Yah Shambhupujanaparam Pathati Pradoshe | Tasya Sthiram Rathagajendraturangayuktam Lakshmim Sadaiva Sumukhim Pradadati Shambhuh ||15 ||

Whoever recites this hymn sung by the ten-headed (Ravana) at the end of puja in Pradosh-kaal, Shambhu gives him lasting, gracious Lakshmi with chariots, elephants and horses.

📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)

Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.

📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)

23 Oct (Friday) — Pradosh Vrat
26 Oct (Monday)
2 Nov (Monday)
6 Nov (Friday) — Pradosh Vrat
9 Nov (Monday)
16 Nov (Monday)

Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.

🪔 How to chant / recite

Time: Pradosh-kaal (around sunset) — the last verse speaks of reciting in Pradosh.
Method: After Shiva puja, before the Shivalinga, with rhythm and clear pronunciation.
Practice: The Panchachamara metre is fast — first learn slowly with the Roman script/meaning, then recite in rhythm.
Count: Once daily; 3 times on Monday/Pradosh.

🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)

🧺 Items needed

Shivalinga or picture of Shiva-parivar
Pure water and raw milk (abhishek)
Bilva leaves (three-leaved, unbroken)
Dhatura, aak flowers (as per tradition)
White sandalwood, bhasma, akshata
Incense, ghee lamp
Fruits and sweets as bhog
Rudraksha mala (for japa)

🪷 Procedure

Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil — by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa — your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Do abhishek on the Shivalinga with water, then milk (and if possible curd, ghee, honey, sugar — panchamrit), then water again, chanting «Om Namah Shivaya».
Offer white sandalwood and bhasma, akshata, bilva leaves (smooth side towards the linga), dhatura and aak flowers.
Show incense and lamp, offer bhog; then chant the mantra / recite Shiv Chalisa / Rudrashtakam.
Sing «Om Jai Shiv Omkara»; the parikrama of a Shivalinga is half — the outlet (somasutra) is not crossed.
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.

⚠️ Rules & precautions

Ketaki flowers and tulsi are traditionally not offered to Shiva; turmeric-kumkum is offered to Mother Parvati, not on the linga.
Bilva leaves should be unbroken; a bilva leaf can be washed and offered again.
Monday, Pradosh (trayodashi) and Masik Shivaratri are special days for Shiva.
Water/milk offered on the linga should not fall at the feet — pour it into a plant.

📜 Story / origin

The story goes that Ravana began to lift Mount Kailash; Shiva pressed it down with his toe and Ravana's arm was trapped. In pain Ravana sang this hymn — pleased, Shiva freed him and gave him the name «Ravana» (the one who roared).

🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)

A prayer for Shiva-bhakti, firmness of mind and freedom from fear.
The belief in prosperity from reciting at the end of Pradosh puja (verse 15).
The equanimity of verse 12 — the same mind in joy and sorrow, friend and foe — is its greatest lesson.

These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Shiv Tandav Stotram?

By tradition Ravana; the last verse calls it «sung by the ten-headed one».

When should it be recited?

In Pradosh-kaal (around sunset), especially on Mondays, Pradosh Vrat and Maha Shivaratri.

How many verses does it have?

15 in the popular version; 17 or 19 in some editions.

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Note: recite with devotion and correct pronunciation; for special anushthans take guidance from a learned acharya.

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