Shiva Tandava Stotram (शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्)
The Shiva Tandava Stotram (शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्) is an awe-inspiring, high-voltage devotional hymn composed by King Ravana of Lanka when his pride was shattered under Mount Kailash. Overwhelmed by the cosmic grandeur and fierce grace of Lord Shiva performing His Tandava dance, Ravana burst into extemporaneous poetry composed in the rapid, intoxicating Panchachamara meter. Chanting this stotra invigorates the nervous system, dissolves fear and ego, awakens inner willpower, and attracts Mahadev's infinite benevolence.
Daily Recitation & Round Tracker
Recommendation: 1 or 3 times daily with rhythmic clarity. Tap the counter each time you finish a recitation.
॥ Dhyānam (Meditation Shloka) ॥
ध्यायेन्नित्यं महेशं रजतगिरिनिभं चारुचंद्रावतंसं रत्नाकल्पोज्ज्वलांगं परशुमृगवराभीतिहस्तं प्रसन्नम् । पद्मासीनं समंतात् स्तुतममरगणैर्व्याघ्रकृत्तिं वसानं विश्वाद्यं विश्वबीजं निखिलभयहरं पंचवक्त्रं त्रिनेत्रम् ॥
Dhyāyen-nityaṁ maheśaṁ rajata-giri-nibhaṁ cāru-candrāvataṁsaṁ Ratnākalpojjvalāṅgaṁ paraśu-mṛga-varābhīti-hastaṁ prasannam | Padmāsīnaṁ samantāt stutam-amara-gaṇair-vyāghra-kṛttiṁ vasānaṁ Viśvādyaṁ viśva-bījaṁ nikhila-bhaya-haraṁ pañca-vaktraṁ trinetram ||
Let us constantly meditate on Mahesha, radiant like the silver mountain Kailash, adorned with the delightful crescent moon, His limbs glowing with jewel-like splendor, holding an axe and a deer in His hands while displaying the fear-dispelling (Abhaya) and boon-granting (Varada) mudras, seated serenely in the lotus posture, praised on all sides by celestial gods, draped in tiger skin, the primal cause and cosmic seed of the universe, the destroyer of all fears, having five faces and three omniscient eyes.
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् । डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥ १ ॥
Jaṭā-ṭavī-galaj-jala-pravāha-pāvita-sthale Gale'valambya lambitāṁ bhujaṅga-tuṅga-mālikām | Ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍaman-nināda-vaḍ-ḍamarvayaṁ Cakāra caṇḍa-tāṇḍavaṁ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1 ||
With His neck consecrated by the holy currents of water flowing down from His forest-like dense matted hair, wearing a lofty serpent coiled around His throat like a grand garland, and dancing the fierce cosmic Tandava to the rhythmic, pulsating beats of the Damaru echoing 'Damad-Damad-Damad-Damad' — may that auspicious Lord Shiva expand supreme welfare upon us all.
जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिंपनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि । धधद्धधद्धधज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचंद्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥ २ ॥
Jaṭā-kaṭāha-sambhrama-bhraman-nilimpa-nirjharī- Vilola-vīci-vallarī-virājamāna-mūrdhani | Dhadhad-dhadhad-dhadhaj-jvalal-lalāṭa-paṭṭa-pāvake Kiśora-candra-śekhare ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṁ mama || 2 ||
May my heart find relentless delight every moment in Lord Shiva, upon whose majestic head the celestial river Ganga churns in tempestuous spiraling waves through the deep cauldron of His matted locks, upon whose broad forehead a blazing fire burns with a crackling roar 'Dhadhad-Dhadhad', and whose crown is graced by the youthful crescent moon.
धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर- स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे । कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥ ३ ॥
Dharā-dharendra-nandinī-vilāsa-bandhu-bandhura- Sphurad-dig-anta-santati-pramodamāna-mānase | Kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-dhoraṇī-niruddha-durdharāpadi Kvacid-digambare mano vinodam-etu vastuni || 3 ||
May my mind rejoice in that Supreme Reality cloaked in the open skies (Digambara), whose cosmic consciousness rejoices in the graceful companionship of the daughter of the mountain king (Goddess Parvati), and whose continuous shower of compassionate glances halts and dissolves even the most insurmountable calamities of His devotees.
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा- कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे । मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥ ४ ॥
Jaṭā-bhujaṅga-piṅgala-sphurat-phaṇā-maṇi-prabhā- Kadamba-kuṅkuma-drava-pralipta-dig-vadhū-mukhe | Madāndha-sindhura-sphurat-tvag-uttarīya-medure Mano vinodam-adbhutaṁ bibhartu bhūta-bhartari || 4 ||
May my spirit experience wondrous joy in the Master of all beings (Bhutanatha), the brilliant glow radiating from the jewels on the hoods of the tawny serpents in His hair painting the faces of the maidens of the eight directions with liquid vermilion, His form resplendent in an upper garment made of the skin of a mighty intoxicated elephant.
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर- प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः । भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥ ५ ॥
Sahasra-locana-prabhṛty-aśeṣa-lekha-śekhara- Prasūna-dhūli-dhoraṇī-vidhūsarāṅghri-pīṭha-bhūḥ | Bhujaṅga-rāja-mālayā nibaddha-jāṭa-jūṭakaḥ Śriyai cirāya jāyatāṁ cakora-bandhu-śekharaḥ || 5 ||
May that Lord who crowns the moon (friend of the Chakora bird) bestow lasting prosperity upon us — He whose sacred footstool is dusted grey by the continuous streams of flower pollen falling from the crowns of Indra and all bowed celestial beings, and whose massive coils of matted hair are held bound by the king of serpents.
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् । सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥ ६ ॥
Lalāṭa-catvara-jvalad-dhanañjaya-sphuliṅga-bhā- Nipīta-pañca-sāyakaṁ naman-nilimpa-nāyakam | Sudhā-mayūkha-lekhayā virājamāna-śekharaṁ Mahā-kapāli-sampade śiro-jaṭālam-astu naḥ || 6 ||
May Lord Shiva, whose towering matted crown is adored by the nectar-beamed crescent moon, who consumed Kamadeva (the god of desire) with the fire leaping from the sacrificial altar of His forehead, and before whom the leader of gods (Indra) bows down, grant us the supreme spiritual treasure of the Mahakapali.
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके । धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥ ७ ॥
Karāla-bhāla-paṭṭikā-dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jvala- -ddhanañjayāhutī-kṛta-pracaṇḍa-pañca-sāyake | Dharādhirendra-nandinī-kucāgra-citra-patraka- -prakalpanaika-śilpini trilocane ratir-mama || 7 ||
May my deep devotion remain anchored in the Three-Eyed Lord, whose blazing forehead fire burned Kamadeva to ashes, and whose divine artistic touch adores Goddess Parvati.
नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः । निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ॥ ८ ॥
Navīna-megha-maṇḍalī-niruddha-durdhara-sphurat- -kuhū-niśīthinī-tamaḥ-prabandha-baddha-kandharaḥ | Nilimpa-nirjharī-dharas-tanotu kṛtti-sindhuraḥ Kalā-nidhāna-bandhuraḥ śriyaṁ jagad-dhurandharaḥ || 8 ||
May the bearer of the celestial Ganga, adorned with the radiant crescent moon and wearing the elephant hide, whose throat is dark like a dense new moon raincloud, bestow boundless prosperity upon us.
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् । स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमंतकच्छिदं भजे ॥ ९ ॥
Praphulla-nīla-paṅkaja-prapañca-kālima-prabhā- -valambi-kaṇṭha-kandalī-ruci-prabaddha-kandharam | Smara-chidaṁ pura-chidaṁ bhava-chidaṁ makha-chidaṁ Gaja-chiddhān-dhaka-chidaṁ tam-antaka-chidaṁ bhaje || 9 ||
I worship Lord Shiva, whose neck glows with the dark luster of blooming blue lotuses, the vanquisher of Kamadeva, destroyer of Tripura, cutter of worldly bonds, dissolver of Daksha's sacrifice, and conqueror of death itself.
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी- रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् । स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥ १० ॥
Akharva-sarva-maṅgalā-kalā-kadamba-mañjarī- -rasa-pravāha-mādhurī-vijṛmbhaṇā-madhuvratam | Smarāntakaṁ purāntakaṁ bhavāntakaṁ makhāntakaṁ Gajāntakāndhakāntakaṁ tam-antakāntakaṁ bhaje || 10 ||
I adore the supreme Lord, who drinks the nectar of Goddess Parvati's divine virtues like a bee upon kadamba blossoms, the slayer of lust, ego, and mortality.
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् । धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल- ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥ ११ ॥
Jayatvad-abhra-vibhrama-bhramad-bhujaṅgama-śvasa- -dvinirgamat-krama-sphurat-karāla-bhāla-havyavāṭ | Dhimiddhimid-dhimi-dhvanan-mṛdaṅga-tuṅga-maṅgala- -dhvani-krama-pravartita-pracaṇḍa-tāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ || 11 ||
All glories to Lord Shiva, whose fierce forehead fire blazes brighter with the hissing breath of celestial serpents, performing His cosmic Tandava dance to the thunderous rhythm 'Dhimid Dhimid' of the auspicious mridangam!
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः । तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥ १२ ॥
Dṛṣad-vicitra-talpayor-bhujaṅga-mouktika-srajor- -gariṣṭha-ratna-loṣṭhayoḥ suhṛd-vipakṣa-pakṣayoḥ | Tṛṇāravinda-cakṣuṣoḥ prajā-mahī-mahendrayoḥ Sama-pravṛttikaḥ kadā sadāśivaṁ bhajāmy-aham || 12 ||
When shall I attain that supreme equanimity of mind, viewing a stone and a bed of roses, a serpent and a garland of pearls, a precious gem and a lump of clay, friend and foe, grass and lotus, subject and emperor as equal, worshipping Lord Sadashiva?
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् । विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥ १३ ॥
Kadā nilimpa-nirjharī-nikuñja-koṭare vasan Vimukta-durmatiḥ sadā śiraḥ-stham-añjaliṁ vahan | Vimukta-lola-locano lalāma-bhāla-lagnakaḥ Śiveti mantram-uccaran kadā sukhī bhavāmy-aham || 13 ||
Living in a quiet cave on the banks of celestial Ganga, freed from negative thoughts, folding my hands upon my head, gazing into the divine third eye of Shiva, chanting 'Shiva, Shiva' - when shall I attain that eternal supreme bliss?
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति संततम् । हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥ १४ ॥
Imaṁ hi nityam-evam-uktam-uttamottamaṁ stavaṁ Paṭhan-smaran-bruvan-naro viśuddhim-eti santatam | Hare gurau subhaktim-āśu yāti nānyathā gatiṁ Vimohanaṁ hi dehināṁ suśaṅkarasya cintanam || 14 ||
Whoever recites, remembers, or hears this supreme hymn every day attains eternal purity, deep devotion to Lord Shiva and the Guru, and freedom from the illusions of worldly existence.
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे । तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥ १५ ॥
Pūjāvasāna-samaye daśa-vaktra-gītaṁ Yaḥ śambhu-pūjana-paraṁ paṭhati pradoṣe | Tasya sthirāṁ ratha-gajendra-turaṅga-yuktāṁ Lakṣmīṁ sadaiva sumukhīṁ pradadāti śambhuḥ || 15 ||
Whoever chants this sacred hymn sung by Ravana at the conclusion of Shiva puja during the auspicious Pradosha time, Lord Shambhu grants him unwavering wealth, chariots, elephants, horses, and lifelong divine favor.
Phalaśruti (Sacred Fruits of Recitation)
He who recites this sacred hymn composed by the ten-headed king at the end of every puja will possess the unwavering friendship of Lord Shiva, rides high upon celestial chariots, and gains unshakeable prosperity in this realm followed by union with Shiva in the highest abode.