Shiva Tandava Stotram in Malayalam

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.

ജടാടവീ Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

ഗലജ്ജലപ്രവാഹ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

പാവിതസ്ഥലേ Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

ഗലേ Gale

on his neck

അവലംബ്യ Avalambya

having hung

ലംബിതാം ഭുജംഗതുംഗമാലികാം Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ഡമഡ്ഡമഡ്ഡമഡ്ഡമന്നിനാദവത് Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ഡമർവയം Damarvayam

this damaru drum

ചകാര ചണ്ഡതാണ്ഡവം Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

തനോതു നഃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

ശിവഃ ശിവം 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.

ജടാകടാഹ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

സംഭ്രമഭ്രമത് Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

നിലിമ്പനിർഝരീ Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

വിലോലവീചിവല്ലരീ Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

വിരാജമാനമൂർധനി Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ധഗദ്ധഗദ്ധഗജ്ജ്വലത് Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ലലാടപട്ടപാവകേ Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

കിശോരചന്ദ്രശേഖരേ Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

രതിഃ പ്രതിക്ഷണം മമ 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.

ധരാധരേന്ദ്രനന്ദിനീ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

വിലാസബന്ധുബന്ധുര Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

സ്ഫുരദ്ദിഗന്തസന്തതി Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

പ്രമോദമാനമാനസേ Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

കൃപാകടാക്ഷധോരണീ Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

നിരുദ്ധദുർധരാപദി Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

ക്വചിത് Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

ദിഗംബരേ Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

മനോ വിനോദം ഏതു Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

വസ്തുനി 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.

ജടാഭുജംഗ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

പിംഗലസ്ഫുരത്ഫണാമണിപ്രഭാ Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

കദംബകുങ്കുമദ്രവ Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

പ്രലിപ്തദിഗ്വധൂമുഖേ Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

മദാന്ധസിന്ധുര Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

സ്ഫുരത്ത്വഗുത്തരീയമേദുരേ Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

മനോ വിനോദം അദ്ഭുതം ബിഭർതു Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ഭൂതഭർതരി 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.

സഹസ്രലോചനപ്രഭൃതി Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

അശേഷലേഖശേഖര Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

പ്രസൂനധൂലിധോരണീ Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

വിധൂസരാംഘ്രിപീഠഭൂഃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ഭുജംഗരാജമാലയാ Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

നിബദ്ധജാടജൂടകഃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

ശ്രിയൈ ചിരായ ജായതാം Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

ചകോരബന്ധുശേഖരഃ 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.

ലലാടചത്വര Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

ജ്വലദ്ധനഞ്ജയസ്ഫുലിംഗഭാ Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

നിപീതപഞ്ചസായകം Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

നമന്നിലിമ്പനായകം Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

സുധാമയൂഖലേഖയാ Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

വിരാജമാനശേഖരം Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

മഹാകപാലി Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

സമ്പദേ Sampade

for prosperity

ശിരോ ജടാലം അസ്തു നഃ 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.

കരാലഭാലപട്ടികാ Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ധഗദ്ധഗദ്ധഗജ്ജ്വലദ്ധനഞ്ജയ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ആഹുതീകൃതപ്രചണ്ഡപഞ്ചസായകേ Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ധരാധരേന്ദ്രനന്ദിനീ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

കുചാഗ്രചിത്രപത്രകപ്രകല്പന Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

ഏകശില്പിനി Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ത്രിലോചനേ Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

രതിർമമ 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.

നവീനമേഘമണ്ഡലീ Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

നിരുദ്ധദുർധരസ്ഫുരത് Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

കുഹൂനിശീഥിനീതമഃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

പ്രബന്ധബദ്ധകന്ധരഃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

നിലിമ്പനിർഝരീധരഃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

തനോതു Tanotu

may he spread

കൃത്തിസിന്ധുരഃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

കലാനിധാനബന്ധുരഃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

ശ്രിയം Shriyam

prosperity

ജഗദ്ധുരന്ധരഃ 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.

പ്രഫുല്ലനീലപങ്കജ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

പ്രപഞ്ചകാലിമപ്രഭാവലംബി Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

കണ്ഠകന്ദലീരുചിപ്രബദ്ധകന്ധരം Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

സ്മരച്ഛിദം Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

പുരച്ഛിദം Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ഭവച്ഛിദം Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

മഖച്ഛിദം Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

ഗജച്ഛിദ് Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

അന്ധകച്ഛിദം Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

തം അന്തകച്ഛിദം ഭജേ 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.

അഖർവ Akharva

boundless, never small

സർവമംഗലാ Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

കലാകദംബമഞ്ജരീ Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

രസപ്രവാഹമാധുരീ Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

വിജൃംഭണാമധുവ്രതം Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

സ്മരാന്തകം പുരാന്തകം Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ഭവാന്തകം മഖാന്തകം Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

ഗജാന്തകാന്ധകാന്തകം Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

തം അന്തകാന്തകം ഭജേ 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.

ജയതു Jayatu

victory to

അദഭ്രവിഭ്രമഭ്രമത് Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ഭുജംഗമശ്വസദ്വിനിർഗമത് Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

ക്രമസ്ഫുരത്കരാലഭാലഹവ്യവാട് Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ധിമിദ്ധിമിദ്ധിമിദ്ധ്വനത് Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

മൃദംഗതുംഗമംഗലധ്വനിക്രമ Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

പ്രവർതിതപ്രചണ്ഡതാണ്ഡവഃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

ശിവഃ 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?

ദൃഷദ്വിചിത്രതല്പയോഃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ഭുജംഗമൌക്തികസ്രജോഃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

ഗരിഷ്ഠരത്നലോഷ്ഠയോഃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

സുഹൃദ്വിപക്ഷപക്ഷയോഃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

തൃണാരവിന്ദചക്ഷുഷോഃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

പ്രജാമഹീമഹേന്ദ്രയോഃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

സമപ്രവൃത്തികഃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

കദാ സദാശിവം ഭജാമ്യഹം 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?

കദാ Kada

when

നിലിമ്പനിർഝരീനികുഞ്ജകോടരേ Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

വസൻ Vasan

living

വിമുക്തദുർമതിഃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

സദാ ശിരഃസ്ഥം അഞ്ജലിം വഹൻ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

വിലോലലോലലോചനഃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

ലലാമഭാലലഗ്നകഃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

ശിവേതി മന്ത്രം ഉച്ചരൻ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

കദാ സുഖീ ഭവാമ്യഹം 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.

നിലിമ്പനാഥനാഗരീകദംബ Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

മൌലമല്ലികാനിഗുമ്ഫ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

നിർഭരക്ഷരന്മധൂഷ്ണികാ Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

മനോഹരഃ Manoharah

enchanting

തനോതു നോ മനോമുദം Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

വിനോദിനീം അഹർനിശം Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

പരശ്രിയഃ പരം പദം Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

തദംഗജത്വിഷാം ചയഃ 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.

പ്രചണ്ഡവാഡവാനലപ്രഭാ Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

ശുഭപ്രചാരണീ Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

മഹാഷ്ടസിദ്ധികാമിനീജന Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

അവഹൂതജല്പനാ Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

വിമുക്തവാമലോചനാ Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

വിവാഹകാലികധ്വനിഃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

ശിവേതി മന്ത്രഭൂഷണാ Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

ജഗജ്ജയായ ജായതാം 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.