Shiva Tandava Stotram in Odia

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.

ଜଟାଟବୀ Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

ଗଲଜ୍ଜଲପ୍ରବାହ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

ପାବିତସ୍ଥଲେ Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

ଗଲେ Gale

on his neck

ଅବଲମ୍ବ୍ୟ Avalambya

having hung

ଲମ୍ବିତାଂ ଭୁଜଙ୍ଗତୁଙ୍ଗମାଲିକାମ୍ Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ଡମଡ୍ଡମଡ୍ଡମଡ୍ଡମନ୍ନିନାଦବତ୍ Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ଡମର୍ବୟମ୍ Damarvayam

this damaru drum

ଚକାର ଚଣ୍ଡତାଣ୍ଡବଂ Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

ତନୋତୁ ନଃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

ଶିବଃ ଶିବମ୍ 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.

ଜଟାକଟାହ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

ସମ୍ଭ୍ରମଭ୍ରମତ୍ Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

ନିଲିମ୍ପନିର୍ଝରୀ Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

ବିଲୋଲବୀଚିବଲ୍ଲରୀ Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

ବିରାଜମାନମୂର୍ଧନି Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ଧଗଦ୍ଧଗଦ୍ଧଗଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଲତ୍ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ଲଲାଟପଟ୍ଟପାବକେ Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

କିଶୋରଚନ୍ଦ୍ରଶେଖରେ Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

ରତିଃ ପ୍ରତିକ୍ଷଣଂ ମମ 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.

ଧରାଧରେନ୍ଦ୍ରନନ୍ଦିନୀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

ବିଲାସବନ୍ଧୁବନ୍ଧୁର Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

ସ୍ଫୁରଦ୍ଦିଗନ୍ତସନ୍ତତି Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

ପ୍ରମୋଦମାନମାନସେ Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

କୃପାକଟାକ୍ଷଧୋରଣୀ Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

ନିରୁଦ୍ଧଦୁର୍ଧରାପଦି Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

କ୍ୱଚିତ୍ Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

ଦିଗମ୍ବରେ Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

ମନୋ ବିନୋଦମ୍ ଏତୁ Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

ବସ୍ତୁନି 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.

ଜଟାଭୁଜଙ୍ଗ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

ପିଙ୍ଗଲସ୍ଫୁରତ୍ଫଣାମଣିପ୍ରଭା Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

କଦମ୍ବକୁଙ୍କୁମଦ୍ରବ Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

ପ୍ରଲିପ୍ତଦିଗ୍ୱଧୂମୁଖେ Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

ମଦାନ୍ଧସିନ୍ଧୁର Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

ସ୍ଫୁରତ୍ତ୍ୱଗୁତ୍ତରୀୟମେଦୁରେ Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

ମନୋ ବିନୋଦମ୍ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତଂ ବିଭର୍ତୁ Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ଭୂତଭର୍ତରି 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.

ସହସ୍ରଲୋଚନପ୍ରଭୃତି Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

ଅଶେଷଲେଖଶେଖର Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

ପ୍ରସୂନଧୂଲିଧୋରଣୀ Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

ବିଧୂସରାଙ୍ଘ୍ରିପୀଠଭୂଃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ଭୁଜଙ୍ଗରାଜମାଲୟା Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

ନିବଦ୍ଧଜାଟଜୂଟକଃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

ଶ୍ରିୟୈ ଚିରାୟ ଜାୟତାଂ Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

ଚକୋରବନ୍ଧୁଶେଖରଃ 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.

ଲଲାଟଚତ୍ୱର Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

ଜ୍ୱଲଦ୍ଧନଞ୍ଜୟସ୍ଫୁଲିଙ୍ଗଭା Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

ନିପୀତପଞ୍ଚସାୟକଂ Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

ନମନ୍ନିଲିମ୍ପନାୟକମ୍ Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

ସୁଧାମୟୂଖଲେଖୟା Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

ବିରାଜମାନଶେଖରଂ Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

ମହାକପାଲି Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

ସମ୍ପଦେ Sampade

for prosperity

ଶିରୋ ଜଟାଲମ୍ ଅସ୍ତୁ ନଃ 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.

କରାଲଭାଲପଟ୍ଟିକା Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ଧଗଦ୍ଧଗଦ୍ଧଗଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଲଦ୍ଧନଞ୍ଜୟ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ଆହୁତୀକୃତପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡପଞ୍ଚସାୟକେ Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ଧରାଧରେନ୍ଦ୍ରନନ୍ଦିନୀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

କୁଚାଗ୍ରଚିତ୍ରପତ୍ରକପ୍ରକଲ୍ପନ Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

ଏକଶିଲ୍ପିନି Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ତ୍ରିଲୋଚନେ Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

ରତିର୍ମମ 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.

ନବୀନମେଘମଣ୍ଡଲୀ Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

ନିରୁଦ୍ଧଦୁର୍ଧରସ୍ଫୁରତ୍ Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

କୁହୂନିଶୀଥିନୀତମଃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

ପ୍ରବନ୍ଧବଦ୍ଧକନ୍ଧରଃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

ନିଲିମ୍ପନିର୍ଝରୀଧରଃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

ତନୋତୁ Tanotu

may he spread

କୃତ୍ତିସିନ୍ଧୁରଃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

କଲାନିଧାନବନ୍ଧୁରଃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

ଶ୍ରିୟଂ Shriyam

prosperity

ଜଗଦ୍ଧୁରନ୍ଧରଃ 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.

ପ୍ରଫୁଲ୍ଲନୀଲପଙ୍କଜ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

ପ୍ରପଞ୍ଚକାଲିମପ୍ରଭାବଲମ୍ବି Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

କଣ୍ଠକନ୍ଦଲୀରୁଚିପ୍ରବଦ୍ଧକନ୍ଧରମ୍ Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

ସ୍ମରଚ୍ଛିଦଂ Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

ପୁରଚ୍ଛିଦଂ Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ଭବଚ୍ଛିଦଂ Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

ମଖଚ୍ଛିଦଂ Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

ଗଜଚ୍ଛିଦ୍ Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

ଅନ୍ଧକଚ୍ଛିଦଂ Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

ତମ୍ ଅନ୍ତକଚ୍ଛିଦଂ ଭଜେ 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.

ଅଖର୍ବ Akharva

boundless, never small

ସର୍ବମଙ୍ଗଲା Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

କଲାକଦମ୍ବମଞ୍ଜରୀ Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

ରସପ୍ରବାହମାଧୁରୀ Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

ବିଜୃମ୍ଭଣାମଧୁବ୍ରତମ୍ Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

ସ୍ମରାନ୍ତକଂ ପୁରାନ୍ତକଂ Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ଭବାନ୍ତକଂ ମଖାନ୍ତକଂ Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

ଗଜାନ୍ତକାନ୍ଧକାନ୍ତକଂ Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

ତମ୍ ଅନ୍ତକାନ୍ତକଂ ଭଜେ 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.

ଜୟତୁ Jayatu

victory to

ଅଦଭ୍ରବିଭ୍ରମଭ୍ରମତ୍ Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ଭୁଜଙ୍ଗମଶ୍ୱସଦ୍ୱିନିର୍ଗମତ୍ Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

କ୍ରମସ୍ଫୁରତ୍କରାଲଭାଲହବ୍ୟବାଟ୍ Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ଧିମିଦ୍ଧିମିଦ୍ଧିମିଦ୍ଧ୍ୱନତ୍ Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

ମୃଦଙ୍ଗତୁଙ୍ଗମଙ୍ଗଲଧ୍ୱନିକ୍ରମ Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

ପ୍ରବର୍ତିତପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡତାଣ୍ଡବଃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

ଶିବଃ 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?

ଦୃଷଦ୍ୱିଚିତ୍ରତଲ୍ପୟୋଃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ଭୁଜଙ୍ଗମୌକ୍ତିକସ୍ରଜୋଃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

ଗରିଷ୍ଠରତ୍ନଲୋଷ୍ଠୟୋଃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

ସୁହୃଦ୍ୱିପକ୍ଷପକ୍ଷୟୋଃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

ତୃଣାରବିନ୍ଦଚକ୍ଷୁଷୋଃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

ପ୍ରଜାମହୀମହେନ୍ଦ୍ରୟୋଃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

ସମପ୍ରବୃତ୍ତିକଃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

କଦା ସଦାଶିବଂ ଭଜାମ୍ୟହମ୍ 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?

କଦା Kada

when

ନିଲିମ୍ପନିର୍ଝରୀନିକୁଞ୍ଜକୋଟରେ Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

ବସନ୍ Vasan

living

ବିମୁକ୍ତଦୁର୍ମତିଃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

ସଦା ଶିରଃସ୍ଥମ୍ ଅଞ୍ଜଲିଂ ବହନ୍ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

ବିଲୋଲଲୋଲଲୋଚନଃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

ଲଲାମଭାଲଲଗ୍ନକଃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

ଶିବେତି ମନ୍ତ୍ରମ୍ ଉଚ୍ଚରନ୍ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

କଦା ସୁଖୀ ଭବାମ୍ୟହମ୍ 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.

ନିଲିମ୍ପନାଥନାଗରୀକଦମ୍ବ Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

ମୌଲମଲ୍ଲିକାନିଗୁମ୍ଫ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

ନିର୍ଭରକ୍ଷରନ୍ମଧୂଷ୍ଣିକା Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

ମନୋହରଃ Manoharah

enchanting

ତନୋତୁ ନୋ ମନୋମୁଦଂ Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

ବିନୋଦିନୀମ୍ ଅହର୍ନିଶଂ Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

ପରଶ୍ରିୟଃ ପରଂ ପଦଂ Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

ତଦଙ୍ଗଜତ୍ୱିଷାଂ ଚୟଃ 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.

ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡବାଡବାନଲପ୍ରଭା Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

ଶୁଭପ୍ରଚାରଣୀ Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

ମହାଷ୍ଟସିଦ୍ଧିକାମିନୀଜନ Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

ଅବହୂତଜଲ୍ପନା Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

ବିମୁକ୍ତବାମଲୋଚନା Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

ବିବାହକାଲିକଧ୍ୱନିଃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

ଶିବେତି ମନ୍ତ୍ରଭୂଷଣା Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

ଜଗଜ୍ଜୟାୟ ଜାୟତାମ୍ 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.