🕉 Shiva Tandava Stotram – Complete Guide (English)
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🔱 Introduction
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a powerful hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva. It describes His divine dance — the Tandava, which represents creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe.
👑 Who Composed It, When & Why?
The stotram was composed by Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka and a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
- When? In ancient mythological time during the Treta Yuga
- Why?
Ravana tried to lift Mount Kailash (Shiva’s abode). Shiva pressed it down with his toe, trapping Ravana.
In pain and realization of his ego, Ravana sang this powerful hymn to praise Shiva and seek forgiveness.
Pleased with his devotion, Shiva blessed him.
📜 Shiva Tandava Stotram – Line by Line Meaning
🔱 Shiva Tandav Stotram
Experience the divine cosmic dance of Lord Shiva with powerful energy.
Verse 1 (Stotram)
Jata-tavi-galaj-jala-pravaha-pavita-sthale
Gale-avalambya lambitam bhujanga-tunga-malikam |
Damad-damad-damad-daman-ninada-vad-damar-vayam
Chakara chanda-tandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam ||
Jata-tavi-galaj-jala-pravaha-pavita-sthale
Gale-avalambya lambitam bhujanga-tunga-malikam |
Damad-damad-damad-daman-ninada-vad-damar-vayam
Chakara chanda-tandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam ||
Meaning
Shiva performs the fierce Tandava dance, with Ganga flowing through His matted hair, a serpent around His neck, and the powerful sound of His damaru echoing.
Shiva performs the fierce Tandava dance, with Ganga flowing through His matted hair, a serpent around His neck, and the powerful sound of His damaru echoing.
Verse 2 (Stotram)
Jata-kataha-sambhrama-bhraman-nilimpa-nirjhari
Vilola-vichi-vallari-virajamana-murdhani |
Dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jvalal-lalata-patta-pavake
Kishora-chandra-shekhare ratih pratikshanam mama ||
Jata-kataha-sambhrama-bhraman-nilimpa-nirjhari
Vilola-vichi-vallari-virajamana-murdhani |
Dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jvalal-lalata-patta-pavake
Kishora-chandra-shekhare ratih pratikshanam mama ||
Meaning
His head shines with the flowing Ganga, His forehead blazes with fire, and the crescent moon adorns Him—my devotion to Him grows every moment.
His head shines with the flowing Ganga, His forehead blazes with fire, and the crescent moon adorns Him—my devotion to Him grows every moment.
Verse 3 (Stotram)
Dhara-dharendra-nandini-vilasa-bandhu-bandhura
Sphurad-diganta-santati-pramodamana-manase |
Kripa-kataksha-dhorani-niruddha-durdharapadi
Kvachid-digambare mano vinodam-etu vastuni ||
Dhara-dharendra-nandini-vilasa-bandhu-bandhura
Sphurad-diganta-santati-pramodamana-manase |
Kripa-kataksha-dhorani-niruddha-durdharapadi
Kvachid-digambare mano vinodam-etu vastuni ||
Meaning
He is the beloved of Parvati, the one who protects devotees with His grace and whose presence brings joy to the entire universe.
He is the beloved of Parvati, the one who protects devotees with His grace and whose presence brings joy to the entire universe.
Verse 4 (Stotram)
Jata-bhujanga-pingala-sphurat-phana-mani-prabha
Kadamba-kunkuma-drava-pralipta-dig-vadhu-mukhe |
Madandha-sindhura-sphurat-tvag-uttariya-medure
Mano vinodam-adbhutam bibhartu bhuta-bhartari ||
Jata-bhujanga-pingala-sphurat-phana-mani-prabha
Kadamba-kunkuma-drava-pralipta-dig-vadhu-mukhe |
Madandha-sindhura-sphurat-tvag-uttariya-medure
Mano vinodam-adbhutam bibhartu bhuta-bhartari ||
Meaning
Shiva shines with divine radiance, adorned with serpents and wearing elephant skin, sustaining all beings.
Shiva shines with divine radiance, adorned with serpents and wearing elephant skin, sustaining all beings.
Verse 5 (Stotram)
Sahasra-lochana-prabhṛty-ashesh-alekha-shekhara
Prasuna-dhuli-dhorani-vidhusaranghri-pitha-bhuh |
Bhujanga-raja-malaya nibaddha-jata-jutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora-bandhu-shekharah ||
Sahasra-lochana-prabhṛty-ashesh-alekha-shekhara
Prasuna-dhuli-dhorani-vidhusaranghri-pitha-bhuh |
Bhujanga-raja-malaya nibaddha-jata-jutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora-bandhu-shekharah ||
Meaning
All gods worship Him, offering flowers at His feet. He wears the moon and grants prosperity.
All gods worship Him, offering flowers at His feet. He wears the moon and grants prosperity.
Verse 6 (Stotram)
Lalata-chatvara-jvalad-dhananjaya-sphulinga-bha
Nipita-pancha-sayakam naman-nilimpa-nayakam |
Sudha-mayukha-lekhaya virajamana-shekharam
Maha-kapali-sampade-shiro-jatalam-astu nah ||
Lalata-chatvara-jvalad-dhananjaya-sphulinga-bha
Nipita-pancha-sayakam naman-nilimpa-nayakam |
Sudha-mayukha-lekhaya virajamana-shekharam
Maha-kapali-sampade-shiro-jatalam-astu nah ||
Meaning
Shiva burns desire with the fire of His third eye and shines with divine energy.
Shiva burns desire with the fire of His third eye and shines with divine energy.
Verse 7 (Stotram)
Karala-bhala-pattika-dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jvalad
Dhananjaya-huti-kruta-prachanda-pancha-sayake |
Dhara-dharendra-nandini-kuchagra-chitra-patraka
Prakalpanaika-shilpini trilochane ratirmama ||
Karala-bhala-pattika-dhagad-dhagad-dhagaj-jvalad
Dhananjaya-huti-kruta-prachanda-pancha-sayake |
Dhara-dharendra-nandini-kuchagra-chitra-patraka
Prakalpanaika-shilpini trilochane ratirmama ||
Meaning
The three-eyed Shiva destroys desire and is deeply connected with Parvati.
The three-eyed Shiva destroys desire and is deeply connected with Parvati.
Verse 8 (Stotram)
Navina-megha-mandali niruddha-durdhara-sphurat
Kuhu-nishithini-tamah prabandha-baddha-kandharah |
Nilimpa-nirjhari-dharastanotu krutti-sindhurah
Kalanidhana-bandhurah shriyam jagad-dhurandharah ||
Navina-megha-mandali niruddha-durdhara-sphurat
Kuhu-nishithini-tamah prabandha-baddha-kandharah |
Nilimpa-nirjhari-dharastanotu krutti-sindhurah
Kalanidhana-bandhurah shriyam jagad-dhurandharah ||
Meaning
Shiva, with His dark blue throat, protects the universe and grants prosperity.
Shiva, with His dark blue throat, protects the universe and grants prosperity.
Verse 9 (Stotram)
Praphulla-nila-pankaja-prapancha-kalima-prabha
Valambi-kantha-kandali-ruchi-prabaddha-kandharam |
Smarach-chidam purach-chidam bhavach-chidam makhach-chidam
Gajach-chidandhaka-chidam tam-antakach-chidam bhaje ||
Praphulla-nila-pankaja-prapancha-kalima-prabha
Valambi-kantha-kandali-ruchi-prabaddha-kandharam |
Smarach-chidam purach-chidam bhavach-chidam makhach-chidam
Gajach-chidandhaka-chidam tam-antakach-chidam bhaje ||
Meaning
He destroys ego, ignorance, demons, and even death itself.
He destroys ego, ignorance, demons, and even death itself.
Verse 10 (Stotram)
Akharva-sarva-mangala-kala-kadamba-manjari
Rasa-pravaha-madhuri vijrimbhana-madhuvratam |
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam tam-antakantakam bhaje ||
Akharva-sarva-mangala-kala-kadamba-manjari
Rasa-pravaha-madhuri vijrimbhana-madhuvratam |
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam tam-antakantakam bhaje ||
Meaning
Shiva is the ultimate destroyer of negativity and source of divine bliss.
Shiva is the ultimate destroyer of negativity and source of divine bliss.
Verse 11 (Stotram)
Jayat-vadabhra-vibhrama-bhramad-bhujangama-shvasad
Vinirgamat-krama-sphurat-karala-bhala-havya-vat |
Dhimid-dhimid-dhimid-dhvanan-mridanga-tunga-mangala
Dhvani-krama-pravartita prachanda-tandavah shivah ||
Jayat-vadabhra-vibhrama-bhramad-bhujangama-shvasad
Vinirgamat-krama-sphurat-karala-bhala-havya-vat |
Dhimid-dhimid-dhimid-dhvanan-mridanga-tunga-mangala
Dhvani-krama-pravartita prachanda-tandavah shivah ||
Meaning
His Tandava dance resonates with powerful cosmic drum sounds.
His Tandava dance resonates with powerful cosmic drum sounds.
Verse 12 (Stotram)
Drushad-vichitra-talpayor-bhujanga-muktika-srajor
Garishtha-ratna-loshtayoh suhrid-vipaksha-pakshayoh |
Trunaravinda-chakshushoh praja-mahi-mahendrayoh
Sama-pravruttikah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham ||
Drushad-vichitra-talpayor-bhujanga-muktika-srajor
Garishtha-ratna-loshtayoh suhrid-vipaksha-pakshayoh |
Trunaravinda-chakshushoh praja-mahi-mahendrayoh
Sama-pravruttikah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham ||
Meaning
Shiva teaches equality—seeing all things beyond differences.
Shiva teaches equality—seeing all things beyond differences.
Verse 13 (Stotram)
Kada nilimpa-nirjhari-nikunja-kotare vasan
Vimukta-durmatih sada shirah-stham-anjalim vahan |
Vimukta-lola-lochano lalama-bhala-lagnakah
Shiveti mantram-uchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham ||
Kada nilimpa-nirjhari-nikunja-kotare vasan
Vimukta-durmatih sada shirah-stham-anjalim vahan |
Vimukta-lola-lochano lalama-bhala-lagnakah
Shiveti mantram-uchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham ||
Meaning
A devotee seeks peace through meditation and chanting Shiva’s name.
A devotee seeks peace through meditation and chanting Shiva’s name.
Verse 14 (Stotram)
Imam hi nityam-evam-uktam-uttamottamam stavam
Pathan-smaran-bruvan-naro vishuddhim-eti santatam |
Hare gurau subhaktim-ashu yati nanyatha gatim
Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam ||
Imam hi nityam-evam-uktam-uttamottamam stavam
Pathan-smaran-bruvan-naro vishuddhim-eti santatam |
Hare gurau subhaktim-ashu yati nanyatha gatim
Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam ||
Meaning
Regular chanting purifies the soul and leads to devotion and liberation.
Regular chanting purifies the soul and leads to devotion and liberation.
Verse 15 (Stotram)
Puja-vasana-samaye dashavaktra-gitam
Yah shambhu-pujana-param pathati pradoshe |
Tasya sthiram ratha-gajendra-turanga-yuktam
Lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh ||
Puja-vasana-samaye dashavaktra-gitam
Yah shambhu-pujana-param pathati pradoshe |
Tasya sthiram ratha-gajendra-turanga-yuktam
Lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh ||
Meaning
Reciting this during evening worship brings wealth, success, and divine blessings.
Reciting this during evening worship brings wealth, success, and divine blessings.
⏰ When Should You Chant It?
- 🌅 Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta)
- 🌇 Evening (Pradosh Time – most powerful)
- 🌙 Special Days: Maha Shivratri, Mondays
🌟 Benefits of Chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram
- ✔ Removes negative energy
- ✔ Increases confidence and inner power
- ✔ Improves focus and mental clarity
- ✔ Helps control ego and anger
- ✔ Brings spiritual growth and peace
- ✔ Attracts prosperity and success
🔮 Deep Meaning (Symbolism)
- Jata (Hair) → Cosmic energy flow
- Third Eye → Destruction of ignorance
- Ganga → Purity and life force
- Snake → Control over fear and death
- Tandava Dance → Universal cycle of life
🛕 Conclusion
Shiva Tandava Stotram is not just a hymn — it is a cosmic vibration of power, devotion, and transformation. Chanting it with faith connects you deeply with Lord Shiva’s energy and helps you rise above fear, ego, and illusion.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🕉 Har Har Mahadev 🕉


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