Shiva Tandava Stotram in Kannada

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.

ಜಟಾಟವೀ Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

ಗಲಜ್ಜಲಪ್ರವಾಹ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

ಪಾವಿತಸ್ಥಲೇ Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

ಗಲೇ Gale

on his neck

ಅವಲಂಬ್ಯ Avalambya

having hung

ಲಂಬಿತಾಂ ಭುಜಂಗತುಂಗಮಾಲಿಕಾಮ್ Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ಡಮಡ್ಡಮಡ್ಡಮಡ್ಡಮನ್ನಿನಾದವತ್ Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ಡಮರ್ವಯಮ್ Damarvayam

this damaru drum

ಚಕಾರ ಚಂಡತಾಂಡವಂ Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

ತನೋತು ನಃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

ಶಿವಃ ಶಿವಮ್ 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.

ಜಟಾಕಟಾಹ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

ಸಂಭ್ರಮಭ್ರಮತ್ Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

ನಿಲಿಂಪನಿರ್ಝರೀ Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

ವಿಲೋಲವೀಚಿವಲ್ಲರೀ Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

ವಿರಾಜಮಾನಮೂರ್ಧನಿ Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ಧಗದ್ಧಗದ್ಧಗಜ್ಜ್ವಲತ್ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ಲಲಾಟಪಟ್ಟಪಾವಕೇ Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

ಕಿಶೋರಚಂದ್ರಶೇಖರೇ Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

ರತಿಃ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ಷಣಂ ಮಮ 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.

ಧರಾಧರೇಂದ್ರನಂದಿನೀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

ವಿಲಾಸಬಂಧುಬಂಧುರ Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

ಸ್ಫುರದ್ದಿಗಂತಸಂತತಿ Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

ಪ್ರಮೋದಮಾನಮಾನಸೇ Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

ಕೃಪಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಧೋರಣೀ Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

ನಿರುದ್ಧದುರ್ಧರಾಪದಿ Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

ಕ್ವಚಿತ್ Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

ದಿಗಂಬರೇ Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

ಮನೋ ವಿನೋದಮ್ ಏತು Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

ವಸ್ತುನಿ 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.

ಜಟಾಭುಜಂಗ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

ಪಿಂಗಲಸ್ಫುರತ್ಫಣಾಮಣಿಪ್ರಭಾ Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

ಕದಂಬಕುಂಕುಮದ್ರವ Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

ಪ್ರಲಿಪ್ತದಿಗ್ವಧೂಮುಖೇ Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

ಮದಾಂಧಸಿಂಧುರ Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

ಸ್ಫುರತ್ತ್ವಗುತ್ತರೀಯಮೇದುರೇ Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

ಮನೋ ವಿನೋದಮ್ ಅದ್ಭುತಂ ಬಿಭರ್ತು Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ಭೂತಭರ್ತರಿ 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.

ಸಹಸ್ರಲೋಚನಪ್ರಭೃತಿ Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

ಅಶೇಷಲೇಖಶೇಖರ Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

ಪ್ರಸೂನಧೂಲಿಧೋರಣೀ Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

ವಿಧೂಸರಾಂಘ್ರಿಪೀಠಭೂಃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ಭುಜಂಗರಾಜಮಾಲಯಾ Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

ನಿಬದ್ಧಜಾಟಜೂಟಕಃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

ಶ್ರಿಯೈ ಚಿರಾಯ ಜಾಯತಾಂ Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

ಚಕೋರಬಂಧುಶೇಖರಃ 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.

ಲಲಾಟಚತ್ವರ Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

ಜ್ವಲದ್ಧನಂಜಯಸ್ಫುಲಿಂಗಭಾ Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

ನಿಪೀತಪಂಚಸಾಯಕಂ Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

ನಮನ್ನಿಲಿಂಪನಾಯಕಮ್ Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

ಸುಧಾಮಯೂಖಲೇಖಯಾ Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

ವಿರಾಜಮಾನಶೇಖರಂ Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

ಮಹಾಕಪಾಲಿ Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

ಸಂಪದೇ Sampade

for prosperity

ಶಿರೋ ಜಟಾಲಮ್ ಅಸ್ತು ನಃ 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.

ಕರಾಲಭಾಲಪಟ್ಟಿಕಾ Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ಧಗದ್ಧಗದ್ಧಗಜ್ಜ್ವಲದ್ಧನಂಜಯ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ಆಹುತೀಕೃತಪ್ರಚಂಡಪಂಚಸಾಯಕೇ Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ಧರಾಧರೇಂದ್ರನಂದಿನೀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

ಕುಚಾಗ್ರಚಿತ್ರಪತ್ರಕಪ್ರಕಲ್ಪನ Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

ಏಕಶಿಲ್ಪಿನಿ Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ತ್ರಿಲೋಚನೇ Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

ರತಿರ್ಮಮ 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.

ನವೀನಮೇಘಮಂಡಲೀ Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

ನಿರುದ್ಧದುರ್ಧರಸ್ಫುರತ್ Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

ಕುಹೂನಿಶೀಥಿನೀತಮಃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

ಪ್ರಬಂಧಬದ್ಧಕಂಧರಃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

ನಿಲಿಂಪನಿರ್ಝರೀಧರಃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

ತನೋತು Tanotu

may he spread

ಕೃತ್ತಿಸಿಂಧುರಃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

ಕಲಾನಿಧಾನಬಂಧುರಃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

ಶ್ರಿಯಂ Shriyam

prosperity

ಜಗದ್ಧುರಂಧರಃ 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.

ಪ್ರಫುಲ್ಲನೀಲಪಂಕಜ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕಾಲಿಮಪ್ರಭಾವಲಂಬಿ Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

ಕಂಠಕಂದಲೀರುಚಿಪ್ರಬದ್ಧಕಂಧರಮ್ Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

ಸ್ಮರಚ್ಛಿದಂ Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

ಪುರಚ್ಛಿದಂ Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ಭವಚ್ಛಿದಂ Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

ಮಖಚ್ಛಿದಂ Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

ಗಜಚ್ಛಿದ್ Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

ಅಂಧಕಚ್ಛಿದಂ Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

ತಮ್ ಅಂತಕಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಭಜೇ 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.

ಅಖರ್ವ Akharva

boundless, never small

ಸರ್ವಮಂಗಲಾ Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

ಕಲಾಕದಂಬಮಂಜರೀ Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

ರಸಪ್ರವಾಹಮಾಧುರೀ Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

ವಿಜೃಂಭಣಾಮಧುವ್ರತಮ್ Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

ಸ್ಮರಾಂತಕಂ ಪುರಾಂತಕಂ Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ಭವಾಂತಕಂ ಮಖಾಂತಕಂ Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

ಗಜಾಂತಕಾಂಧಕಾಂತಕಂ Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

ತಮ್ ಅಂತಕಾಂತಕಂ ಭಜೇ 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.

ಜಯತು Jayatu

victory to

ಅದಭ್ರವಿಭ್ರಮಭ್ರಮತ್ Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ಭುಜಂಗಮಶ್ವಸದ್ವಿನಿರ್ಗಮತ್ Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

ಕ್ರಮಸ್ಫುರತ್ಕರಾಲಭಾಲಹವ್ಯವಾಟ್ Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ಧಿಮಿದ್ಧಿಮಿದ್ಧಿಮಿದ್ಧ್ವನತ್ Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

ಮೃದಂಗತುಂಗಮಂಗಲಧ್ವನಿಕ್ರಮ Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

ಪ್ರವರ್ತಿತಪ್ರಚಂಡತಾಂಡವಃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

ಶಿವಃ 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?

ದೃಷದ್ವಿಚಿತ್ರತಲ್ಪಯೋಃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ಭುಜಂಗಮೌಕ್ತಿಕಸ್ರಜೋಃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

ಗರಿಷ್ಠರತ್ನಲೋಷ್ಠಯೋಃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

ಸುಹೃದ್ವಿಪಕ್ಷಪಕ್ಷಯೋಃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

ತೃಣಾರವಿಂದಚಕ್ಷುಷೋಃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

ಪ್ರಜಾಮಹೀಮಹೇಂದ್ರಯೋಃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

ಸಮಪ್ರವೃತ್ತಿಕಃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

ಕದಾ ಸದಾಶಿವಂ ಭಜಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ 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?

ಕದಾ Kada

when

ನಿಲಿಂಪನಿರ್ಝರೀನಿಕುಂಜಕೋಟರೇ Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

ವಸನ್ Vasan

living

ವಿಮುಕ್ತದುರ್ಮತಿಃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

ಸದಾ ಶಿರಃಸ್ಥಮ್ ಅಂಜಲಿಂ ವಹನ್ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

ವಿಲೋಲಲೋಲಲೋಚನಃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

ಲಲಾಮಭಾಲಲಗ್ನಕಃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

ಶಿವೇತಿ ಮಂತ್ರಮ್ ಉಚ್ಚರನ್ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

ಕದಾ ಸುಖೀ ಭವಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ 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.

ನಿಲಿಂಪನಾಥನಾಗರೀಕದಂಬ Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

ಮೌಲಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾನಿಗುಂಫ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

ನಿರ್ಭರಕ್ಷರನ್ಮಧೂಷ್ಣಿಕಾ Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

ಮನೋಹರಃ Manoharah

enchanting

ತನೋತು ನೋ ಮನೋಮುದಂ Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

ವಿನೋದಿನೀಮ್ ಅಹರ್ನಿಶಂ Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

ಪರಶ್ರಿಯಃ ಪರಂ ಪದಂ Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

ತದಂಗಜತ್ವಿಷಾಂ ಚಯಃ 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.

ಪ್ರಚಂಡವಾಡವಾನಲಪ್ರಭಾ Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

ಶುಭಪ್ರಚಾರಣೀ Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

ಮಹಾಷ್ಟಸಿದ್ಧಿಕಾಮಿನೀಜನ Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

ಅವಹೂತಜಲ್ಪನಾ Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

ವಿಮುಕ್ತವಾಮಲೋಚನಾ Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

ವಿವಾಹಕಾಲಿಕಧ್ವನಿಃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

ಶಿವೇತಿ ಮಂತ್ರಭೂಷಣಾ Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

ಜಗಜ್ಜಯಾಯ ಜಾಯತಾಮ್ 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.