Shiva Tandava Stotram in Bengali

His neck made holy by the streams of the Ganga pouring from the forest of his matted hair, a great garland of serpents hanging at his throat, his damaru sounding "damad damad damad", Shiva danced the fierce Tandava. May that Shiva spread auspiciousness for us all.

জটাটবী Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

গলজ্জলপ্রবাহ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

পাবিতস্থলে Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

গলে Gale

on his neck

অবলম্ব্য Avalambya

having hung

লম্বিতাং ভুজঙ্গতুঙ্গমালিকাম্ Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ডমড্ডমড্ডমড্ডমন্নিনাদবৎ Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ডমর্বয়ম্ Damarvayam

this damaru drum

চকার চণ্ডতাণ্ডবং Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

তনোতু নঃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

শিবঃ শিবম্ Shivah Shivam

Shiva, auspiciousness

His head shines with the restless waves of the celestial Ganga whirling in the cauldron of his matted hair; on his forehead a fire blazes "dhagad dhagad"; he wears the young crescent moon as his crown. May my love for this Shiva grow every moment.

জটাকটাহ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

সম্ভ্রমভ্রমৎ Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

নিলিম্পনির্ঝরী Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

বিলোলবীচিবল্লরী Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

বিরাজমানমূর্ধনি Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ধগদ্ধগদ্ধগজ্জ্বলৎ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ললাটপট্টপাবকে Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

কিশোরচন্দ্রশেখরে Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

রতিঃ প্রতিক্ষণং মম Ratih Pratikshanam Mama

my love, every moment

He delights in the playful grace of Parvati, daughter of the mountain king; his mind rejoices in all creation, shining to the ends of the directions; the stream of his merciful glances halts even the hardest misfortunes. May my mind find its joy in that Supreme Reality, Digambara, clothed only by the sky.

ধরাধরেন্দ্রনন্দিনী Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

বিলাসবন্ধুবন্ধুর Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

স্ফুরদ্দিগন্তসন্ততি Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

প্রমোদমানমানসে Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

কৃপাকটাক্ষধোরণী Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

নিরুদ্ধদুর্ধরাপদি Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

ক্বচিৎ Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

দিগম্বরে Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

মনো বিনোদম্ এতু Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

বস্তুনি Vastuni

in that Supreme Reality

The tawny light of the gems on the hoods of the serpents in his hair paints the faces of the directions as if with saffron; he wears the glossy hide of a maddened elephant as his upper cloth. May my mind find a wondrous joy in him, the sustainer of all beings.

জটাভুজঙ্গ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

পিঙ্গলস্ফুরত্ফণামণিপ্রভা Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

কদম্বকুঙ্কুমদ্রব Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

প্রলিপ্তদিগ্বধূমুখে Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

মদান্ধসিন্ধুর Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

স্ফুরত্ত্বগুত্তরীয়মেদুরে Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

মনো বিনোদম্ অদ্ভুতং বিভর্তু Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ভূতভর্তরি Bhutabhartari

in the sustainer of all beings

His footstool is grey with pollen falling from the flowers in the crowns of Indra and all the gods as they bow; his knot of matted hair is tied with a garland of the king of serpents. May he whose crest is the moon, beloved of the chakora bird, grant us lasting prosperity.

সহস্রলোচনপ্রভৃতি Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

অশেষলেখশেখর Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

প্রসূনধূলিধোরণী Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

বিধূসরাঙ্ঘ্রিপীঠভূঃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ভুজঙ্গরাজমালয়া Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

নিবদ্ধজাটজূটকঃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

শ্রিয়ৈ চিরায় জায়তাং Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

চকোরবন্ধুশেখরঃ Chakora Bandhu Shekharah

he whose crest is the moon, friend of the chakora bird

From the broad plane of his forehead the sparks of a blazing fire swallowed Kamadeva, the god of five arrows; the lord of the gods bows before him; his crest shines with the slender streak of the nectar-rayed moon. May that matted head of the great Kapali bring us true wealth.

ললাটচত্বর Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

জ্বলদ্ধনঞ্জয়স্ফুলিঙ্গভা Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

নিপীতপঞ্চসায়কং Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

নমন্নিলিম্পনায়কম্ Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

সুধাময়ূখলেখয়া Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

বিরাজমানশেখরং Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

মহাকপালি Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

সম্পদে Sampade

for prosperity

শিরো জটালম্ অস্তু নঃ Shiro Jatalam Astu Nah

may that matted head be for us

Into the fire blazing "dhagad dhagad" on his fierce forehead he offered mighty Kamadeva as an oblation; and he alone is the artist who paints loving ornamental designs on the bosom of Parvati, the mountain king's daughter. My heart's love is for the three-eyed Lord.

করালভালপট্টিকা Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ধগদ্ধগদ্ধগজ্জ্বলদ্ধনঞ্জয় Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

আহুতীকৃতপ্রচণ্ডপঞ্চসায়কে Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ধরাধরেন্দ্রনন্দিনী Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

কুচাগ্রচিত্রপত্রকপ্রকল্পন Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

একশিল্পিনি Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ত্রিলোচনে Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

রতির্মম Ratir Mama

is my love

His throat is dark as a new-moon midnight wrapped in dense, fresh rain-clouds; he bears the celestial Ganga, wears the elephant's hide, is lovely with the moon, and carries the burden of the whole world. May that Shiva spread prosperity for us.

নবীনমেঘমণ্ডলী Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

নিরুদ্ধদুর্ধরস্ফুরৎ Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

কুহূনিশীথিনীতমঃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

প্রবন্ধবদ্ধকন্ধরঃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

নিলিম্পনির্ঝরীধরঃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

তনোতু Tanotu

may he spread

কৃত্তিসিন্ধুরঃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

কলানিধানবন্ধুরঃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

শ্রিয়ং Shriyam

prosperity

জগদ্ধুরন্ধরঃ Jagad Dhurandharah

who bears the burden of the world

His throat glows with the deep blue sheen of fully bloomed blue lotuses. I worship him who destroyed Kama and the three demon cities, who cuts the bonds of worldly life, who ended Daksha's sacrifice, who slew the elephant demon and Andhaka, and who conquered even Yama, death himself.

প্রফুল্লনীলপঙ্কজ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

প্রপঞ্চকালিমপ্রভাবলম্বি Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

কণ্ঠকন্দলীরুচিপ্রবদ্ধকন্ধরম্ Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

স্মরচ্ছিদং Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

পুরচ্ছিদং Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ভবচ্ছিদং Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

মখচ্ছিদং Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

গজচ্ছিদ্ Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

অন্ধকচ্ছিদং Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

তম্ অন্তকচ্ছিদং ভজে Tam Antakachchhidam Bhaje

I worship him who subdued Yama, death itself

He is the bee who revels in the sweet, flowing nectar of the boundless cluster of graces of Parvati, the all-auspicious. I worship him who ended Kama, Tripura, worldly bondage and Daksha's sacrifice, who ended Gajasura and Andhaka, and who is the ender of Death itself.

অখর্ব Akharva

boundless, never small

সর্বমঙ্গলা Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

কলাকদম্বমঞ্জরী Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

রসপ্রবাহমাধুরী Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

বিজৃম্ভণামধুব্রতম্ Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

স্মরান্তকং পুরান্তকং Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ভবান্তকং মখান্তকং Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

গজান্তকান্ধকান্তকং Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

তম্ অন্তকান্তকং ভজে Tam Antakantakam Bhaje

I worship him, the ender of Death

Victory to Shiva! As the serpents whirl in wide, swift circles about him, their hissing breath fans the fire on his fierce forehead higher and higher; and to the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga sounding "dhimid dhimid dhimid", he dances the fierce Tandava.

জয়তু Jayatu

victory to

অদভ্রবিভ্রমভ্রমৎ Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ভুজঙ্গমশ্বসদ্বিনির্গমৎ Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

ক্রমস্ফুরৎকরালভালহব্যবাট্ Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ধিমিদ্ধিমিদ্ধিমিদ্ধ্বনৎ Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

মৃদঙ্গতুঙ্গমঙ্গলধ্বনিক্রম Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

প্রবর্তিতপ্রচণ্ডতাণ্ডবঃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

শিবঃ Shivah

Shiva

A rock or a fine bed, a snake or a string of pearls, a precious gem or a lump of clay, friend or foe, a blade of grass or a lotus-eyed beauty, a common subject or an emperor: when will I look on all of these with an even mind and simply worship Sadashiva?

দৃষদ্বিচিত্রতল্পয়োঃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ভুজঙ্গমৌক্তিকস্রজোঃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

গরিষ্ঠরত্নলোষ্ঠয়োঃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

সুহৃদ্বিপক্ষপক্ষয়োঃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

তৃণারবিন্দচক্ষুষোঃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

প্রজামহীমহেন্দ্রয়োঃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

সমপ্রবৃত্তিকঃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

কদা সদাশিবং ভজাম্যহম্ Kada Sadashivam Bhajamyaham

when shall I worship Sadashiva?

Many recordings sing the last line as "समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे" (samam pravartayan manah kada sadashivam bhaje). We print "समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम्". The meaning is the same: when will I, with an even mind, worship Sadashiva?

When will I live in a hollow among the groves beside the celestial Ganga, free of wrong thoughts, my palms always joined above my head, my eyes moist and restless with longing, my mind fixed on the Lord whose forehead bears the crescent, chanting the mantra "Shiva"? When will I be truly happy?

কদা Kada

when

নিলিম্পনির্ঝরীনিকুঞ্জকোটরে Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

বসন্ Vasan

living

বিমুক্তদুর্মতিঃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

সদা শিরঃস্থম্ অঞ্জলিং বহন্ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

বিলোললোললোচনঃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

ললামভাললগ্নকঃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

শিবেতি মন্ত্রম্ উচ্চরন্ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

কদা সুখী ভবাম্যহম্ Kada Sukhi Bhavamyaham

when shall I be truly happy?

Made lovelier by the sweet fragrance dripping from the jasmine garlands woven into the hair of the celestial women of Indra's city, the radiance that streams from Shiva's limbs is the supreme home of all glory. May it fill our minds with delight, day and night.

নিলিম্পনাথনাগরীকদম্ব Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

মৌলমল্লিকানিগুম্ফ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

নির্ভরক্ষরন্মধূষ্ণিকা Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

মনোহরঃ Manoharah

enchanting

তনোতু নো মনোমুদং Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

বিনোদিনীম্ অহর্নিশং Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

পরশ্রিয়ঃ পরং পদং Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

তদঙ্গজত্বিষাং চয়ঃ Tad Angaja Tvisham Chayah

the mass of radiance from his limbs

Shlokas 14 and 15 appear in the common Sanskrit edition but are left out of many popular recordings.

May the sound heard at the wedding of Shiva and the lovely-eyed Parvati, echoed by the calls of the maidens who are the eight great siddhis, bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean and spreading auspiciousness, and adorned by the mantra "Shiva", bring victory to the whole world.

প্রচণ্ডবাডবানলপ্রভা Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

শুভপ্রচারণী Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

মহাষ্টসিদ্ধিকামিনীজন Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

অবহূতজল্পনা Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

বিমুক্তবামলোচনা Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

বিবাহকালিকধ্বনিঃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

শিবেতি মন্ত্রভূষণা Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

জগজ্জয়ায় জায়তাম্ Jagaj Jayaya Jayatam

may it bring victory to the world

This is the hardest verse to render; commentators divide its long compounds in different ways, and the meaning given here is one traditional reading.