Stuti · Sanskrit
शिव ताण्डव स्तोत्रम्
Shiv Tandav Stotram
The monumental Sanskrit stotra composed by Ravana, capturing the cosmic rhythm, raw power, and beauty of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance.
Read & reflect
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् । डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥ १ ॥
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि । धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥ २ ॥
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे । कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥ ३ ॥
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे । मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥ ४ ॥
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः । भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥ ५ ॥
Roman reading aid
Jatataveegalajjala Pravahapavitasthale Galeavalambya Lambitam Bhujangatungamalikam | Damaddamaddamaddaman Ninadavaddamarvayam Chakara Chandatandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam || 1 || Jatakatahasambhrama Bhramannilimpanirjhari Vilolaveechivallari Virajamanamurdhani | Dhagaddhagaddhagajjwalal Lalatapattapavake Kishorachandrashekhare Ratih Pratikshanam Mama || 2 || Dharadharendranandini Vilasabandhubandhura Sphuraddigantasantati Pramodamanamanase | Kripakatakshadhorani Niruddhadurdharapadi Kvachiddigambare Mano Vinodametu Vastuni || 3 || Jatabhujangapingala Sphuratphanamani Prabha Kadambakunkumadrava Praliptadigvadhumukhe | Madandhasindhurasphurat Tvaguttareeyamedure Mano Vinodamadbhutam Bibhartu Bhootabhartari || 4 || Sahasralochanaprabhriti Asheshalekhashekhara Prasoonadhoolidhorani Vidhoosaranghripeethabhooh | Bhujangarajamalaya Nibaddhajatajootakah Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam Chakorabandhushekharah || 5 ||
English meaning
English Translation: With His neck consecrated by the sacred waters flowing through His dense forest of matted locks, wearing a magnificent serpent hanging as a garland, while His damaru sounds 'damat, damat, damat' — may Lord Shiva, who performs the fierce cosmic dance (Tandava), bestow eternal auspiciousness upon us! || 1 || Upon whose head waves of the celestial river Ganga surge gracefully through His matted hair, upon whose forehead blazes the sacred fire 'dhagad, dhagad, dhagad', with the crescent moon gracing His crown — may my heart find constant love in Him at every moment! || 2 || Delighting in the company of Mother Parvati, daughter of the mountain king, His mind overflowing with compassion for the entire universe, who dispels impossible hardships through a mere glance of mercy — may my mind seek refuge in that cosmic ascetic! || 3 || With the lustrous gems on the hoods of serpents entwined in His hair radiating reddish-golden light across the horizons, wearing the radiant celestial hide — may my soul experience sublime delight in the Lord of all living beings! || 4 || Whose footstool is sprinkled with the pollen of celestial blossoms offered by Indra and all celestials bowing before Him, whose hair is bound by the serpent king, crowned by the radiant moon — may that supreme Lord grant us lasting spiritual and worldly prosperity! || 5 || Devotional Significance: Shiv Tandav Stotram is among the most dynamic and acoustically magnificent Sanskrit hymns in Sanatana Dharma, encapsulating the ecstatic cosmic rhythm of creation, preservation, and dissolution.