๐ Table of Contents
1. Introduction — What is Shiv Tandav Stotram?
2. Historical Background — Origin & Story
3. Complete Lyrics — All 15 Verses
4. Word-by-Word Meaning — Deep Analysis
5. Benefits of Reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram
6. How to Recite — Step-by-Step Guide
7. Audio & Video — Listen & Learn
๐️ What is Shiv Tandav Stotram?
Have you ever experienced a prayer so powerful that it sends vibrations coursing through your entire body? Shiv Tandav Stotram is exactly that — a thunderous hymn that captures the raw, untamed energy of Lord Shiva's cosmic dance. Composed in the majestic Sanskrit language, these Shiv Tandav lyrics are widely regarded as one of the most potent prayers in the Hindu spiritual tradition.
The Shiv Tandav Stotram is not merely a devotional song — it is a sonic explosion of divine energy. Each syllable reverberates with the primordial vibration of the cosmos. The Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics paint a vivid, breathtaking portrait of Lord Shiva in His most fierce and magnificent form: matted locks swirling with the sacred Ganga, a serpent coiled around His neck, the crescent moon adorning His crown, and the thunderous beat of His damaru echoing through the three worlds.
This hymn holds an extraordinary position in Hindu devotion. Unlike many stotrams composed by sages and saints, the Shiv Tandav Stotram was composed by Ravana, the legendary ten-headed king of Lanka. This fact alone makes it unique, for it demonstrates that Lord Shiva's grace transcends all boundaries.
Modern research suggests that the rhythmic patterns found in Sanskrit mantras — especially the percussive sounds like "Damad-damad-damaddama" and "Dhagad-dhagad-dhagajjvala" — create specific vibrational frequencies that positively influence the nervous system and promote a deep meditative state.
๐ The Origin Story — How Ravana Composed Shiv Tandav Stotram
The story behind the Shiv Tandav Stotram is as dramatic and powerful as the hymn itself. It takes us back to the mythical age of the Ramayana, to the towering figure of Ravana — a being of immense contradictions.
Ravana, despite being classified as an Asura, was born into a Brahmin lineage. He was a master of the Vedas, an accomplished musician, a brilliant scholar, and above all — an unwavering devotee of Lord Shiva. His ten heads symbolized his mastery over the four Vedas, six Shastras, and his formidable intellect.
The pivotal event occurred at Mount Kailash. Consumed by pride, Ravana attempted to uproot the mountain. Lord Shiva, disturbed from meditation, simply pressed His toe against the mountain. The mountain crashed down, crushing Ravana's fingers beneath it. In that moment of agony and awakening, Ravana tore out his own intestinal cord to use as strings, fashioned a veena from one of his heads, and sang the Shiv Tandav Stotram.
Understanding the Tandava Dance
The word Tandava refers to the cosmic dance performed by Lord Shiva as Nataraja. It represents the eternal cycle of Srishti (creation), Sthiti (preservation), Samhara (destruction), Tirobhava (concealment), and Anugraha (grace). There are seven recognized forms of Tandava including Ananda Tandava, Rudra Tandava, and others. The Nataraja statue at CERN symbolizes this connection between Shiva's cosmic dance and modern physics.
๐ฟ Shiv Tandav Stotram Lyrics — Complete 15 Verses
Below are the complete Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics in Sanskrit (Devanagari) with English transliteration and meaning. ๐️
เคเคฒेเคฝเคตเคฒเคฎ्เคฌ्เคฏ เคฒเคฎ्เคฌिเคคां เคญुเคเค्เคเคคुเค्เคเคฎाเคฒिเคाเคฎ् ।
เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎเคจ्เคจिเคจाเคฆเคตเคก्เคกเคฎเคฐ्เคตเคฏं
เคเคाเคฐ เคเคฃ्เคกเคคाเคฃ्เคกเคตं เคคเคจोเคคु เคจः เคถिเคตः เคถिเคตเคฎ् ॥เฅง॥
Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale
Galeavalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam |
Damad damad damaddama ninadavadamarvayam
Chakara Chandtandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam ||1||
Meaning: From Lord Shiva's matted hair flows the holy river Ganga, consecrating His neck. From His neck hangs the serpent like a garland. From His Damaru comes the Damad-Damad-Damad sound filling the air. Lord Shiva performs His passionate Tandava dance — may the Lord bless us all!
เคตिเคฒोเคฒเคตीเคिเคตเคฒ्เคฒเคฐीเคตिเคฐाเคเคฎाเคจเคฎूเคฐ्เคงเคจि ।
เคงเคเคฆ्เคงเคเคฆ्เคงเคเค्เคเคฒเคฒ्เคฒเคฒाเคเคชเค्เคเคชाเคตเคे
เคिเคถोเคฐเคเคจ्เคฆ्เคฐเคถेเคเคฐे เคฐเคคिः เคช्เคฐเคคिเค्เคทเคฃं เคฎเคฎ ॥เฅจ॥
Jata kata hasambhrama bhramanilimpanirjhari
Vilolavichivalarai Virajamanamurdhani |
Dhagadhagadhagajjva lalalata pattapavake
Kishora chandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama ||2||
Meaning: As the waves of the sacred Ganga move through Lord Shiva's matted hair, it glorifies His head. A brilliant fire burns on His forehead, and the crescent moon is a jewel on His head. May we find constant joy in Him!
เคธ्เคซुเคฐเคฆ्เคฆिเคเคจ्เคคเคธเคจ्เคคเคคिเคช्เคฐเคฎोเคฆเคฎाเคจเคฎाเคจเคธे ।
เคृเคชाเคเคाเค्เคทเคงोเคฐเคฃीเคจिเคฐुเคฆ्เคงเคฆुเคฐ्เคงเคฐाเคชเคฆि
เค्เคตเคिเคฆ्เคฆिเคเคฎ्เคฌเคฐे เคฎเคจो เคตिเคจोเคฆเคฎेเคคु เคตเคธ्เคคुเคจि ॥เฅฉ॥
Dharadharendrana ndinivilasabandhubandhura
Sphuradigantasantati pramodamanamanase |
Krupakatakshadhorani nirudhadurdharapadi
Kvachidigambare manovinodametuvastuni ||3||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, consort of Parvati, in whose mind the universe exists, whose compassionate glance removes all hardships, who wears the directions as His apparel. May my mind find bliss in Him!
เคเคฆเคฎ्เคฌเคुเค्เคुเคฎเคฆ्เคฐเคตเคช्เคฐเคฒिเคช्เคคเคฆिเค्เคตเคงूเคฎुเคे ।
เคฎเคฆाเคจ्เคงเคธिเคจ्เคงुเคฐเคธ्เคซुเคฐเคค्เคค्เคตเคुเคค्เคคเคฐीเคฏเคฎेเคฆुเคฐे
เคฎเคจो เคตिเคจोเคฆเคฎเคฆ्เคญुเคคं เคฌिเคญเคฐ्เคคु เคญूเคคเคญเคฐ्เคคเคฐि ॥เฅช॥
Jata bhujan gapingala sphuratphanamaniprabha
Kadambakunkuma dravapralipta digvadhumukhe |
Madandha Sindhu rasphuratvagutariyamedure
Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari ||4||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who shines radiantly from the gem on the serpent's hood. Kadamba-like vermilion is smeared on the faces of the Goddesses of direction. He wears a cloak of elephant hide. May I find pleasure in that Lord of Bhoota!
เคช्เคฐเคธूเคจเคงूเคฒिเคงोเคฐเคฃी เคตिเคงूเคธเคฐाเค्เค्เคฐिเคชीเค เคญूः ।
เคญुเคเค्เคเคฐाเคเคฎाเคฒเคฏा เคจिเคฌเคฆ्เคงเคाเคเคूเคเคः
เคถ्เคฐिเคฏै เคिเคฐाเคฏ เคाเคฏเคคां เคเคोเคฐเคฌเคจ्เคงुเคถेเคเคฐः ॥เฅซ॥
Sahasra lochana prabhritya sheshalekhashekhara
Prasuna dhulidhorani vidhusaranghripithabhuh |
Bhujangaraja malaya nibaddhajatajutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora bandhushekharah ||5||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose footrest is decorated by flower-dust from all gods — Indra, Vishnu, and others. His matted locks are bound by the king of serpents. His head holds the moon as a crown. May He bless us with prosperity!
เคจिเคชीเคคเคชเค्เคเคธाเคฏเคं เคจเคฎเคจ्เคจिเคฒिเคฎ्เคชเคจाเคฏเคเคฎ् ।
เคธुเคงाเคฎเคฏूเคเคฒेเคเคฏा เคตिเคฐाเคเคฎाเคจเคถेเคเคฐं
เคฎเคนाเคเคชाเคฒिเคธเคฎ्เคชเคฆेเคถिเคฐोเคเคाเคฒเคฎเคธ्เคคु เคจः ॥เฅฌ॥
Lalata chatvarajvaladhanajnjayasphulingabha
Nipitapajnchasayakam namannilimpanayakam |
Sudha mayukha lekhaya virajamanashekharam
Maha kapali sampade shirojatalamastu nah ||6||
Meaning: May Lord Shiva, who devoured the God of Love with the fire on His forehead, who is revered by celestial leaders, whose forehead glows with the crescent moon — shower blessings on us for the wealth of Siddhis.
เคงเคจเค्เคเคฏाเคนुเคคीเคृเคคเคช्เคฐเคเคฃ्เคกเคชเค्เคเคธाเคฏเคे ।
เคงเคฐाเคงเคฐेเคจ्เคฆ्เคฐเคจเคจ्เคฆिเคจीเคुเคाเค्เคฐเคिเคค्เคฐเคชเคค्เคฐเค
เคช्เคฐเคเคฒ्เคชเคจैเคเคถिเคฒ्เคชिเคจि เคค्เคฐिเคฒोเคเคจे เคฐเคคिเคฐ्เคฎเคฎ ॥เฅญ॥
Karala bhala pattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvala
Ddhanajnjaya hutikruta prachandapajnchasayake |
Dharadharendra nandini kuchagrachitrapatraka
Prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama ||7||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose forehead burns with Dhagad-Dhagad sound, who offered the five arrows of Love to the fire, the master artist of creation. May we repose in the Three-Eyed Lord!
เคुเคนूเคจिเคถीเคฅिเคจीเคคเคฎः เคช्เคฐเคฌเคจ्เคงเคฌเคฆ्เคงเคเคจ्เคงเคฐः ।
เคจिเคฒिเคฎ्เคชเคจिเคฐ्เคเคฐीเคงเคฐเคธ्เคคเคจोเคคु เคृเคค्เคคिเคธिเคจ्เคงुเคฐः
เคเคฒाเคจिเคงाเคจเคฌเคจ्เคงुเคฐः เคถ्เคฐिเคฏं เคเคเคฆ्เคงुเคฐंเคงเคฐः ॥เฅฎ॥
Navina Megha Mandali niruddhadurdharasphurat
Kuhu Nishithinitamah Prabandhabaddhakandharah |
Nilimpanirjhari Dharastanotu Krutti sindhurah
Kalanidhanabandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah ||8||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose neck is dark as clouds on the new moon night, who wears the moon and celestial river on His head, who bears the universe's weight. May He bless us with prosperity!
เคตเคฒเคฎ्เคฌिเคเคฃ्เค เคเคจ्เคฆเคฒीเคฐुเคिเคช्เคฐเคฌเคฆ्เคงเคเคจ्เคงเคฐเคฎ् ।
เคธ्เคฎเคฐเค्เคिเคฆं เคชुเคฐเค्เคिเคฆं เคญเคตเค्เคिเคฆं เคฎเคเค्เคिเคฆं
เคเคเค्เคिเคฆाเคจ्เคงเคเค्เคिเคฆं เคคเคฎเคจ्เคคเคเค्เคिเคฆं เคญเคे ॥เฅฏ॥
Praphulla nila pankaja prapajnchakalimchatha
Vdhambi Kanthakandali Raruchi Prabaddhakandharam |
Smarachchidam purachchhidam bhavachchidam makhachchidam
Gajachchidandhakachidam tamamtakachchidam bhaje ||9||
Meaning: Lord Shiva whose neck shines like fully-bloomed blue lotus. He destroyed Manmatha, Tripura, worldly bonds, sacrifices, Gajasura, Andhaka, and Yama. I worship Him!
เคฐเคธเคช्เคฐเคตाเคนเคฎाเคงुเคฐीเคตिเคृเคฎ्เคญเคฃाเคฎเคงुเคต्เคฐเคคเคฎ् ।
เคธ्เคฎเคฐाเคจ्เคคเคं เคชुเคฐाเคจ्เคคเคं เคญเคตाเคจ्เคคเคं เคฎเคाเคจ्เคคเคं
เคเคाเคจ्เคคเคाเคจ्เคงเคाเคจ्เคคเคं เคคเคฎเคจ्เคคเคाเคจ्เคคเคं เคญเคे ॥เฅงเฅฆ॥
Akharvagarvasarvamangala kalakadambamajnjari
Rasapravaha madhuri vijrumbhana madhuvratam |
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje ||10||
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, around whom bees fly from the sweet Kadamba flower scent. He destroyed Manmatha, Tripura, worldly bonds, sacrifices, the elephant demon, Andhaka, and the God of Death. I worship Him!
เคตिเคจिเคฐ्เคเคฎเคค्เค्เคฐเคฎเคธ्เคซुเคฐเคค्เคเคฐाเคฒเคญाเคฒเคนเคต्เคฏเคตाเค् ।
เคงिเคฎिเคฆ्เคงिเคฎिเคฆ्เคงिเคฎिเคง्เคตเคจเคจ्เคฎृเคฆเค्เคเคคुเค्เคเคฎเค्เคเคฒ
เคง्เคตเคจिเค्เคฐเคฎเคช्เคฐเคตเคฐ्เคคिเคคเคช्เคฐเคเคฃ्เคกเคคाเคฃ्เคกเคตः เคถिเคตः ॥เฅงเฅง॥
Jayatvadabhravibhrama bhramadbhujangamasafur
Dhigdhigdhi nirgamatkarala bhaal havyavat |
Dhimiddhimiddhimidhva nanmrudangatungamangala
Dhvanikramapravartita prachanda tandavah shivah ||11||
Meaning: Lord Shiva has fire on His forehead ever-increasing from the serpent's breath. His Tandava dance is in tune with the auspicious Dhimid-Dhimid mridanga sounds. Victory to Lord Shiva!
เคเคฐिเคท्เค เคฐเคค्เคจเคฒोเคท्เค เคฏोः เคธुเคนृเคฆ्เคตिเคชเค्เคทเคชเค्เคทเคฏोः ।
เคคृเคฃाเคฐเคตिเคจ्เคฆเคเค्เคทुเคทोः เคช्เคฐเคाเคฎเคนीเคฎเคนेเคจ्เคฆ्เคฐเคฏोः
เคธเคฎเคช्เคฐเคตृเคค्เคคिเคः เคเคฆा เคธเคฆाเคถिเคตं เคญเคाเคฎ्เคฏเคนเคฎ् ॥เฅงเฅจ॥
Drushadvichitratalpayor bhujanga mauktikasrajor
Garishtharatnaloshthayoh Suhrudvipakshapakshayoh |
Trushnaravindachakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh
Sama pravartayanmanah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham ||12||
Meaning: Towards a snake and a garland, a gem and dirt, friends and enemies, grass and lotus, commoners and emperors — Lord Shiva sees all equally. When can I worship Sadashiva with such equanimity?
เคตिเคฎुเค्เคคเคฆुเคฐ्เคฎเคคिः เคธเคฆा เคถिเคฐःเคธ्เคฅเคฎเค्เคเคฒिं เคตเคนเคจ् ।
เคตिเคฎुเค्เคคเคฒोเคฒเคฒोเคเคจो เคฒเคฒाเคฎเคญाเคฒเคฒเค्เคจเคः
เคถिเคตेเคคि เคฎเคจ्เคค्เคฐเคฎुเค्เคเคฐเคจ्เคเคฆा เคธुเคी เคญเคตाเคฎ्เคฏเคนเคฎ् ॥เฅงเฅฉ॥
Kada nilimpanirjhari nikujnjakotare vasanh
Vimuktadurmatih sada shirah sthamajnjalim vahanh |
Vimuktalolalochano lalamabhalalagnakah
Shiveti Mantramuchcharan Sada Sukhi Bhavamyaham ||13||
Meaning: When can I be happy — living near the Ganga, clasping hands in prayer, devoted to the Lord, washing away impure thoughts with the mantra of Shiva?
เคชเค เคจ्เคธ्เคฎเคฐเคจ्เคฌ्เคฐुเคตเคจ्เคจเคฐो เคตिเคถुเคฆ्เคงिเคฎेเคคिเคธंเคคเคคเคฎ् ।
เคนเคฐे เคुเคฐौ เคธुเคญเค्เคคिเคฎाเคถु เคฏाเคคि เคจाเคจ्เคฏเคฅा เคเคคिं
เคตिเคฎोเคนเคจं เคนि เคฆेเคนिเคจां เคธुเคถเค्เคเคฐเคธ्เคฏ เคिเคจ्เคคเคจเคฎ् ॥เฅงเฅช॥
Imam hi nityameva muktamuttamottamam stavam
Pathansmaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam |
Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim
Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam ||14||
Meaning: Anyone who reads, remembers, and recites this supreme Stotram is purified forever, leading to salvation through devotion to Shiva. The mere thought of Lord Shiva removes all delusion.
เคถเคฎ्เคญुเคชूเคเคจเคชเคฐं เคชเค เคคि เคช्เคฐเคฆोเคทे ।
เคคเคธ्เคฏ เคธ्เคฅिเคฐां เคฐเคฅเคเคेเคจ्เคฆ्เคฐเคคुเคฐเค्เคเคฏुเค्เคคां
เคฒเค्เคท्เคฎीं เคธเคฆैเคต เคธुเคฎुเคीं เคช्เคฐเคฆเคฆाเคคि เคถเคฎ्เคญुः ॥เฅงเฅซ॥
Puja vasanasamaye dashavaktragitam
Yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshhe |
Tasya sthiram rathagajendraturangayuktam
Lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh ||15||
Meaning: One who recites this Shiv Tandav Stotram by Ravana during Pradosha is blessed with wealth of chariots, elephants, and horses. Lord Shambhu gives such devotees eternal prosperity. Om Namah Shivaya!! ๐
๐ค Word-by-Word Meaning — Deep Analysis
Verse 1 — Breakdown
- เคเคाเคเคตी (Jata-atavi) — Dense forest of matted hair
- เคเคฒเคค्-เคเคฒ-เคช्เคฐเคตाเคน — A stream of flowing water (Ganga)
- เคญुเคเค्เค-เคคुเค्เค-เคฎाเคฒिเคाเคฎ् — Great garland of serpents
- เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎเคก्เคกเคฎ — Onomatopoeic sound of the damaru drum
- เคเคाเคฐ เคเคฃ्เคก-เคคाเคฃ्เคกเคตं — He performed the fierce Tandava
- เคคเคจोเคคु เคจः เคถिเคตः เคถिเคตเคฎ् — May Shiva bestow auspiciousness
Poetic Devices Used
- Shabdalankara: Heavy alliteration — "Damad-damad," "Dhagad-dhagad," "Dhimid-dhimid"
- Samaasa: Extensive long compound words (6-8 roots joined)
- Upama: Comparisons of Shiva's neck to dark clouds
- Chandas: Consistent rhythmic metre creating trance-inducing effect
✨ Benefits of Reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram
Spiritual Awakening
Activates higher chakras and deepens divine connection.
Divine Protection
Creates a shield of positive energy against negativity.
Inner Strength
Fills with courage and confidence. Destroys fear at its root.
Material Prosperity
Verse 15 promises abundance and material success.
Mental Peace
Rhythmic vibrations calm the nervous system.
Harmonious Relationships
Enhances family harmony. 51 days resolves marital issues.
Victory in Disputes
Ensures success in legal matters and against adversaries.
Planetary Remedy
Neutralizes negative planetary influences. 100x during eclipses.
๐ How to Recite Shiv Tandav Stotram
Step 1: Purification ๐ฟ
Take a bath or wash hands, feet, and face. Wear clean white or saffron clothes.
Step 2: Sacred Space ๐ช
Sit facing East or North. Light a diya and incense. Place a Shiva Lingam or Rudraksha mala before you.
Step 3: Opening Prayer ๐
Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" three times with closed eyes.
Step 4: Recite ๐ฟ
Chant all 15 verses slowly with correct pronunciation. Beginners should listen to the video below first.
Step 5: Closing Meditation ๐ง
Sit in silence for 5-10 minutes. Visualize Lord Shiva as Nataraja. End with "Om Namah Shivaya." ๐️
Best Times to Recite ⏰
- ๐ Brahma Muhurta (4-6 AM)
- ๐ Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight)
- ๐ Every Monday
- ๐ Maha Shivaratri
- ๐ During eclipses (100x benefits)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Shiv Tandav Stotram?
Ravana, the king of Lanka and Lord Shiva's most devoted follower, composed this hymn when trapped under Mount Kailash.
How many verses are in Shiv Tandav?
The commonly recited version has 15 verses (shlokas) in Sanskrit.
What are the benefits?
Spiritual awakening, removal of negative energies, mental strength, material prosperity, stress reduction, divine protection, and family harmony.
When is the best time to recite?
Brahma Muhurta (4-6 AM), Pradosh Kaal (twilight), Mondays, Maha Shivaratri, during eclipses (100x). But anytime with devotion works.
What is the meaning of Shiv Tandav?
Lord Shiva's cosmic dance as Nataraja representing the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe.
Can I recite Shiv Tandav daily?
Yes! No restrictions. Daily recitation amplifies spiritual benefits significantly.
What language is it written in?
Classical Sanskrit in Devanagari script. English transliterations are available on this page.
How long does it take to recite?
8-12 minutes at moderate pace. Beginners may need 15-20 minutes.
Is it really written by Ravana?
Yes. According to Hindu tradition, Ravana composed it spontaneously while trapped under Mount Kailash as an act of devotion.
What are the health benefits?
The sound vibrations of "Damad," "Dhagad," and "Jhimid" benefit spinal health, lower back pain, and slipped disc issues. The rhythm strengthens the spine.
๐ Conclusion
The Shiv Tandav Stotram stands as one of the most extraordinary compositions in devotional literature. Born from Ravana's pain and devotion beneath Mount Kailash, these 15 verses capture the indescribable magnificence of Lord Shiva's cosmic dance.
Start today. As Verse 14 says: "Anyone who reads, remembers, and recites this Stotram is purified forever."
๐️ เฅ เคจเคฎः เคถिเคตाเคฏ | Om Namah Shivaya ๐️