📑 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
🕉️ 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.
📜 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.
📿 Shiv Tandav Stotram Lyrics — Complete 15 Verses
Below are the complete Shiv Tandav Stotram lyrics in Sanskrit (Devanagari) with English transliteration and meaning. 🕉️
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥१॥
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!
विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।
धगद्धगद्धगज्जलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥२॥
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!
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे ।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥३॥
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!
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥४॥
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!
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः ।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥५॥
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!
निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् ।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥६॥
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.
धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके ।
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥७॥
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!
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः ।
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ॥८॥
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!
वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् ।
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥९॥
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!
रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् ।
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥१०॥
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!
विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् ।
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥११॥
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!
गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥१२॥
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?
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् ।
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन्कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥१३॥
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?
पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् ।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥१४॥
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.
शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे ।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥१५॥
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!! 🙏
🔤 Word-by-Word Meaning — Deep Analysis
Verse 1 — Breakdown
- जटाटवी (Jata-atavi) — Dense forest of matted hair
- गलत्-जल-प्रवाह — A stream of flowing water (Ganga)
- भुजङ्ग-तुङ्ग-मालिकाम् — Great garland of serpents
- डमड्डमड्डमड्डम — Onomatopoeic sound of the damaru drum
- चकार चण्ड-ताण्डवं — He performed the fierce Tandava
- तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् — 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.
📖 How to Recite Shiv Tandav Stotram
Step 1: Purification 🚿
Take a bath or wash hands, feet, and face. Wear clean white or saffron clothes.
Step 2: Sacred Space 🪔
Sit facing East or North. Light a diya and incense. Place a Shiva Lingam or Rudraksha mala before you.
Step 3: Opening Prayer 🙏
Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" three times with closed eyes.
Step 4: Recite 📿
Chant all 15 verses slowly with correct pronunciation. Beginners should listen to the video below first.
Step 5: Closing Meditation 🧘
Sit in silence for 5-10 minutes. Visualize Lord Shiva as Nataraja. End with "Om Namah Shivaya." 🕉️
Best Times to Recite ⏰
- 🌅 Brahma Muhurta (4-6 AM)
- 🌆 Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight)
- 📅 Every Monday
- 🌙 Maha Shivaratri
- 🌒 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.
🙏 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."
🕉️ ॐ नमः शिवाय | Om Namah Shivaya 🕉️