Shiva Tandava Stotram
शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्
What is the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
The Shiva Tandava Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn in praise of Lord Shiva, attributed to Ravana, the scholar-king of Lanka. Its rolling, drum-like syllables describe Shiva's Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and dissolution. Devotees chant it for courage, self-discipline, and relief from fear and obstacles.
Few Sanskrit hymns carry the raw percussive energy of the Shiva Tandava Stotram. Tradition holds that Ravana sang it spontaneously when Shiva pressed Mount Kailash down with his toe, trapping the king who had tried to lift the mountain. Caught and humbled, Ravana poured out these verses, and their rhythm imitates the damaru drumbeat of Shiva’s dance. Below you will find the complete stotram with each verse in Roman script and Devanagari, a plain-English meaning for every verse, chanting guidance, and answers to common questions.
Shiva Tandava Stotram Lyrics
Each verse shows the Roman transliteration first, the Devanagari below it, and a tap-to-open plain-English meaning.
jatatavi galajjala pravaha pavitasthale
gale’valambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam
damaddamaddamaddamanninadavaddamarvayam
chakara chandatandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥१॥
Meaning
From the forest of his matted hair the Ganga pours down, washing the ground where he stands. A great serpent hangs like a garland at his throat, his damaru drum rolls out damad-damad, and Shiva dances the fierce Tandava. May that Shiva spread blessing over us.
jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjhari
vilolavichivallari virajamanamurdhani
dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalata pattapavake
kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी-
विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥२॥
Meaning
The heavenly river churns and swirls inside the bowl of his matted hair, its waves tossing like creepers. Fire flares dhagad-dhagad on the plate of his forehead, and the young crescent moon crowns his head. In that Shiva my heart delights, moment after moment.
dharadharendra nandini vilasabandhu bandhura
sphuraddiganta santati pramoda manamanase
kripakatakshadhorani niruddha durdharapadi
kvachiddigambare manovinodametu vastuni
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर-
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे ।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥३॥
Meaning
May my mind find its joy in Shiva the sky-clad, beloved companion of the mountain king's daughter Parvati, whose sweeping glance of compassion halts even calamities nothing else can stop, and in whose presence all the shining directions rejoice.
jatabhujanga pingala sphuratphana maniprabha
kadamba kunkuma drava pralipta digvadhumukhe
madandha sindhura sphurattvaguttariyamedure
mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा-
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥४॥
Meaning
The tawny snake coiled in his hair carries a jewel in its hood, and its glow spreads like saffron paste over the faces of the maidens of the directions. Wrapped in the flapping hide of a wild elephant, he is the guardian of every being. May my mind hold its wonder-filled delight in him.
sahasralochana prabhrityasheshalekha shekhara
prasunadhuli dhorani vidhusaranghri pithabhuh
bhujangarajamalaya nibaddha jatajutakah
shriyai chiraya jayatam chakorabandhu shekharah
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर-
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः ।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥५॥
Meaning
Indra of the thousand eyes and the whole line of gods bow so low that pollen from the flowers in their crowns powders his footrest grey. His matted hair is bound with the king of serpents for a garland. May that Shiva, wearing the moon the chakora birds love, grant us lasting fortune.
lalata chatvarajvaladdhananjaya sphulingabha
nipita panchasayakam namannilimpanayakam
sudhamayukhalekhaya virajamana shekharam
mahakapali sampade shirojatalamastu nah
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा-
निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् ।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालि सम्पदे शिरो जटालमस्तु नः ॥६॥
Meaning
A single spray of sparks from the fire on his forehead swallowed Kamadeva, the god of the five flower arrows, even as the chief of the gods bowed before him. Nectar rays of the crescent moon shine on his crown. May the matted head of the great skull-bearer bring us prosperity.
karala bhalapattika dhagaddhagaddhagajjvala-
ddhananjayahutikrita prachanda panchasayake
dharadharendra nandini kuchagra chitrapatraka-
prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलद्-
धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके ।
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक-
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥७॥
Meaning
My devotion rests in the three-eyed lord whose forehead blazed dhagad-dhagad and turned the fierce god of the five arrows into an offering, and who alone, the one master artist, traces delicate painted lines for Parvati, daughter of the mountain.
navinameghamandali niruddha durdhara sphurat
kuhu nishithini tamah prabandha baddha kandharah
nilimpa nirjharidharastanotu krittisindhurah
kalanidhana bandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्-
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः ।
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः ॥८॥
Meaning
His throat holds a darkness deep as new-moon midnight wrapped in fresh banks of monsoon cloud. He bears the heavenly river, wears the elephant hide, and is made graceful by the moon, the treasury of light. May he who shoulders the world's burden increase our fortune.
praphulla nila pankaja prapancha kalimaprabha-
valambi kantha kandali ruchi prabaddha kandharam
smarachchhidam purachchhidam bhavachchhidam makhachchhidam
gajachchhidandhakachchhidam tamantakachchhidam bhaje
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा-
वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् ।
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥९॥
Meaning
His throat glows with the darkness of a blue lotus in full bloom. I worship him: the cutter of Kama, of the triple cities, of the bonds of worldly life, of Daksha's sacrifice, of the elephant demon, of Andhaka, and of Death itself.
akharva sarvamangala kalakadambamanjari
rasapravaha madhuri vijrimbhana madhuvratam
smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी-
रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् ।
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥१०॥
Meaning
Like a honey-bee he lingers in the flowing sweetness of the kadamba-cluster arts of the ever-auspicious Goddess. I worship him: the ender of Kama, of the triple cities, of worldly bondage, of Daksha's rite, of the elephant demon, of Andhaka, and the ender of the Ender, Yama himself.
jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhramadbhujangamashvasa-
dvinirgamat kramasphurat karala bhalahavyavat
dhimiddhimiddhimidhvanan mridanga tunga mangala-
dhvanikrama pravartita prachanda tandavah shivah
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वसद्-
विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् ।
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल-
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥११॥
Meaning
Glory to Shiva. The serpent whirls in the swirl of his dance, its hissing breath fanning the terrible fire that leaps from his forehead, while the mridanga rolls its high, auspicious dhimi-dhimi beat and the wild Tandava surges onward to its rhythm.
drishadvichitra talpayorbhujanga mauktika srajo-
rgarishtha ratnaloshthayoh suhridvipaksha pakshayoh
trinaravinda chakshushoh prajamahi mahendrayoh
samapravrittikah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजो-
र्गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥१२॥
Meaning
A rock or a soft couch, a serpent or a string of pearls, a priceless gem or a lump of clay, friend or enemy, a blade of grass or a lotus-eyed beauty, common folk or a king of the earth: when will I look on all of them alike and worship Sadashiva with an even mind?
kada nilimpanirjhari nikunjakotare vasan
vimukta durmatih sada shirahsthamanjalim vahan
vilola lolalochano lalamabhalalagnakah
shiveti mantramuchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् ।
विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥१३॥
Meaning
When will I live in a leafy hollow beside the heavenly Ganga, my palms joined above my head, my restless eyes steadied, the mark on my forehead in place, freed from crooked thought, chanting the mantra Shiva, Shiva – when will that happiness be mine?
imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam
pathan smaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam
hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim
vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं
पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम् ।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥१४॥
Meaning
Whoever reads, remembers, or recites this best of hymns every day is purified without pause and swiftly gains firm devotion to Hara, the great guru. There is no other refuge; the very thought of Shankara frees embodied beings from delusion.
Phalashruti
pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam
yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshe
tasya sthiram rathagajendra turangayuktam
lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः
शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे ।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥१५॥
Meaning
To the one who recites this song of the ten-headed Ravana at the close of Shiva worship in the pradosha hour, Shambhu grants Lakshmi steady and ever-gracious, attended by chariots, elephants, and horses.
Meaning & Significance
The stotram is a sustained word-picture of Shiva as Nataraja, the dancer whose steps set the universe in motion and dissolve it again. Ganga swirls in his matted hair, the crescent moon rests on his crown, the serpent Vasuki glows at his throat, and the drumbeat damat-damat rolls under every line.
Three threads run through the hymn. The first is power: fire from the third eye, the elephant-hide cloak, the pounding of the dance. The second is beauty: the same verses that describe destruction linger on the moonlight, the red twilight glow, and the jewelled hoods of serpents. The third is surrender: from verse to verse Ravana keeps asking one question, when will I be truly devoted to Shiva? The hymn teaches that strength and humility are not opposites; the mightiest being in the three worlds is also the one most worth bowing to.
The metre is Panchachamara, sixteen syllables per quarter with a strict short-long pulse. Chanted at speed it sounds like a drum roll, which is why reciters treat the stotram as both a prayer and a breath practice.
How Do You Chant the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
- Sit facing north or east. – Choose a quiet spot after a bath, light a diya or a stick of incense before a Shiva image or Shivling if you have one.
- Begin with Om Namah Shivaya. – Repeat the mantra three times slowly to settle your breath before the fast verses begin.
- Keep the rhythm, not the speed. – The stotram is metrical; a steady medium pace with clear consonants is better than a rushed recitation. Follow the Roman line until the Sanskrit becomes familiar.
- Chant the full text once. – One complete recitation takes about ten minutes. On Mondays, Pradosha evenings, and Maha Shivratri many devotees chant it three or eleven times.
- Close with a bow. – Finish with Om Namah Shivaya and a moment of silence, offering water or bel leaves if you are at a Shivling.
What Are the Benefits of Chanting the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Devotional tradition connects regular recitation of the Shiva Tandava Stotram with the following results.
- Courage and confidence: The driving rhythm and imagery of the dance are chanted to burn away fear, hesitation, and self-doubt.
- Removal of obstacles: The hymn closes by promising Shiva's steady grace to whoever recites it, and devotees chant it when work or plans feel blocked.
- Focus and discipline: The Panchachamara metre demands full attention; ten minutes of accurate chanting works like a concentration exercise.
- Clearer speech: The dense conjunct consonants are a classical tongue-training text, and regular reciters find their Sanskrit pronunciation improves across every mantra.
- Devotion to Shiva: Ravana's refrain, asking when he will find lasting happiness in Shiva, slowly becomes the chanter's own prayer.
Who Composed the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, is the traditional composer of the Shiva Tandava Stotram. Beyond his role as the antagonist of the Ramayana, Ravana was a Brahmin scholar, a veena player, and one of Shiva’s most intense devotees.
The story behind the hymn comes from the Uttara Kanda tradition. Flush with power, Ravana tried to uproot Mount Kailash itself and carry Shiva home to Lanka. Shiva pressed the mountain down with a single toe, pinning Ravana’s arms beneath it. Trapped, the king did not curse; he sang. For a thousand years, the telling goes, he praised the dancing Shiva in these verses, tearing sinew from his own arms to string a veena. Shiva, pleased by the music and the surrender inside it, released him and gave him the name Ravana, the one who roared. The final verses record the phalashruti, the fruit of recitation, promising devotion, prosperity, and Shiva’s grace to those who read it daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
The Shiva Tandava Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of praise describing Lord Shiva's cosmic Tandava dance. Tradition attributes it to Ravana, the king of Lanka, who sang it while pinned under Mount Kailash. It is one of the most widely chanted Shiva stotras.
Who wrote the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka and a devoted Shiva bhakta, is the traditional composer. He is said to have sung it spontaneously after Shiva pinned him beneath Mount Kailash, and Shiva freed him in response to the hymn.
How many verses does the Shiva Tandava Stotram have?
The standard recension has fifteen verses: thirteen describing Shiva's Tandava dance, followed by two closing verses that state the fruits of recitation. Longer sixteen or seventeen verse versions circulate online, but the extra verses are not part of the commonly accepted text.
What are the benefits of chanting the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Devotees chant it for courage, focus, freedom from fear and obstacles, and deepening devotion to Shiva. The phalashruti promises purity, steadiness, and Shiva's grace to those who recite it daily.
When should I chant the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Early morning after a bath and the Pradosha period around sunset are both considered ideal. Mondays, Pradosham days, and Maha Shivratri are especially favoured. A complete recitation takes about ten to twelve minutes.
Is the Shiva Tandava Stotram difficult to chant?
It is one of the more demanding Sanskrit hymns because of its fast metre and dense conjunct consonants. Beginners should start slowly with the Roman transliteration, keep the rhythm steady, and build speed over a few weeks of daily practice.
Can I chant the Shiva Tandava Stotram without knowing Sanskrit?
Yes. Chanting with sincerity matters more than perfect grammar. Use the Roman transliteration on this page, listen to a reliable rendition to absorb the rhythm, and read the verse meanings so the images stay in mind while you chant.
What does Tandava mean?
Tandava is Shiva's vigorous cosmic dance, which sets creation, preservation, and dissolution in motion. In the stotram the dance is pictured with the damaru drumbeat, fire, and the trembling of the worlds, with Shiva calm at the centre of it all.
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥