Shiva Tandava Stotram in Gujarati

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.

જટાટવી Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

ગલજ્જલપ્રવાહ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

પાવિતસ્થલે Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

ગલે Gale

on his neck

અવલમ્બ્ય Avalambya

having hung

લમ્બિતાં ભુજઙ્ગતુઙ્ગમાલિકામ્ Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ડમડ્ડમડ્ડમડ્ડમન્નિનાદવત્ Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ડમર્વયમ્ Damarvayam

this damaru drum

ચકાર ચણ્ડતાણ્ડવં Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

તનોતુ નઃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

શિવઃ શિવમ્ 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.

જટાકટાહ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

સમ્ભ્રમભ્રમત્ Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

નિલિમ્પનિર્ઝરી Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

વિલોલવીચિવલ્લરી Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

વિરાજમાનમૂર્ધનિ Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ધગદ્ધગદ્ધગજ્જ્વલત્ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

લલાટપટ્ટપાવકે Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

કિશોરચન્દ્રશેખરે Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

રતિઃ પ્રતિક્ષણં મમ 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.

ધરાધરેન્દ્રનન્દિની Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

વિલાસબન્ધુબન્ધુર Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

સ્ફુરદ્દિગન્તસન્તતિ Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

પ્રમોદમાનમાનસે Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

કૃપાકટાક્ષધોરણી Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

નિરુદ્ધદુર્ધરાપદિ Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

ક્વચિત્ Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

દિગમ્બરે Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

મનો વિનોદમ્ એતુ Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

વસ્તુનિ 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.

જટાભુજઙ્ગ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

પિઙ્ગલસ્ફુરત્ફણામણિપ્રભા Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

કદમ્બકુઙ્કુમદ્રવ Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

પ્રલિપ્તદિગ્વધૂમુખે Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

મદાન્ધસિન્ધુર Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

સ્ફુરત્ત્વગુત્તરીયમેદુરે Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

મનો વિનોદમ્ અદ્ભુતં બિભર્તુ Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ભૂતભર્તરિ 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.

સહસ્રલોચનપ્રભૃતિ Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

અશેષલેખશેખર Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

પ્રસૂનધૂલિધોરણી Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

વિધૂસરાઙ્ઘ્રિપીઠભૂઃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ભુજઙ્ગરાજમાલયા Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

નિબદ્ધજાટજૂટકઃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

શ્રિયૈ ચિરાય જાયતાં Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

ચકોરબન્ધુશેખરઃ 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.

લલાટચત્વર Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

જ્વલદ્ધનઞ્જયસ્ફુલિઙ્ગભા Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

નિપીતપઞ્ચસાયકં Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

નમન્નિલિમ્પનાયકમ્ Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

સુધામયૂખલેખયા Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

વિરાજમાનશેખરં Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

મહાકપાલિ Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

સમ્પદે Sampade

for prosperity

શિરો જટાલમ્ અસ્તુ નઃ 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.

કરાલભાલપટ્ટિકા Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ધગદ્ધગદ્ધગજ્જ્વલદ્ધનઞ્જય Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

આહુતીકૃતપ્રચણ્ડપઞ્ચસાયકે Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ધરાધરેન્દ્રનન્દિની Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

કુચાગ્રચિત્રપત્રકપ્રકલ્પન Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

એકશિલ્પિનિ Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ત્રિલોચને Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

રતિર્મમ 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.

નવીનમેઘમણ્ડલી Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

નિરુદ્ધદુર્ધરસ્ફુરત્ Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

કુહૂનિશીથિનીતમઃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

પ્રબન્ધબદ્ધકન્ધરઃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

નિલિમ્પનિર્ઝરીધરઃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

તનોતુ Tanotu

may he spread

કૃત્તિસિન્ધુરઃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

કલાનિધાનબન્ધુરઃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

શ્રિયં Shriyam

prosperity

જગદ્ધુરન્ધરઃ 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.

પ્રફુલ્લનીલપઙ્કજ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

પ્રપઞ્ચકાલિમપ્રભાવલમ્બિ Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

કણ્ઠકન્દલીરુચિપ્રબદ્ધકન્ધરમ્ Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

સ્મરચ્છિદં Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

પુરચ્છિદં Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ભવચ્છિદં Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

મખચ્છિદં Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

ગજચ્છિદ્ Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

અન્ધકચ્છિદં Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

તમ્ અન્તકચ્છિદં ભજે 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.

અખર્વ Akharva

boundless, never small

સર્વમઙ્ગલા Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

કલાકદમ્બમઞ્જરી Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

રસપ્રવાહમાધુરી Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

વિજૃમ્ભણામધુવ્રતમ્ Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

સ્મરાન્તકં પુરાન્તકં Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ભવાન્તકં મખાન્તકં Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

ગજાન્તકાન્ધકાન્તકં Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

તમ્ અન્તકાન્તકં ભજે 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.

જયતુ Jayatu

victory to

અદભ્રવિભ્રમભ્રમત્ Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ભુજઙ્ગમશ્વસદ્વિનિર્ગમત્ Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

ક્રમસ્ફુરત્કરાલભાલહવ્યવાટ્ Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ધિમિદ્ધિમિદ્ધિમિદ્ધ્વનત્ Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

મૃદઙ્ગતુઙ્ગમઙ્ગલધ્વનિક્રમ Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

પ્રવર્તિતપ્રચણ્ડતાણ્ડવઃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

શિવઃ 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?

દૃષદ્વિચિત્રતલ્પયોઃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ભુજઙ્ગમૌક્તિકસ્રજોઃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

ગરિષ્ઠરત્નલોષ્ઠયોઃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

સુહૃદ્વિપક્ષપક્ષયોઃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

તૃણારવિન્દચક્ષુષોઃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

પ્રજામહીમહેન્દ્રયોઃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

સમપ્રવૃત્તિકઃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

કદા સદાશિવં ભજામ્યહમ્ 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?

કદા Kada

when

નિલિમ્પનિર્ઝરીનિકુઞ્જકોટરે Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

વસન્ Vasan

living

વિમુક્તદુર્મતિઃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

સદા શિરઃસ્થમ્ અઞ્જલિં વહન્ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

વિલોલલોલલોચનઃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

લલામભાલલગ્નકઃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

શિવેતિ મન્ત્રમ્ ઉચ્ચરન્ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

કદા સુખી ભવામ્યહમ્ 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.

નિલિમ્પનાથનાગરીકદમ્બ Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

મૌલમલ્લિકાનિગુમ્ફ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

નિર્ભરક્ષરન્મધૂષ્ણિકા Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

મનોહરઃ Manoharah

enchanting

તનોતુ નો મનોમુદં Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

વિનોદિનીમ્ અહર્નિશં Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

પરશ્રિયઃ પરં પદં Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

તદઙ્ગજત્વિષાં ચયઃ 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.

પ્રચણ્ડવાડવાનલપ્રભા Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

શુભપ્રચારણી Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

મહાષ્ટસિદ્ધિકામિનીજન Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

અવહૂતજલ્પના Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

વિમુક્તવામલોચના Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

વિવાહકાલિકધ્વનિઃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

શિવેતિ મન્ત્રભૂષણા Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

જગજ્જયાય જાયતામ્ 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.