Shiva Tandava Stotram in Punjabi

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.

ਜਟਾਟਵੀ Jatatavi

the forest of matted hair

ਗਲੱਜਲਪ੍ਰਵਾਹ Galajjala Pravaha

streams of flowing water (the Ganga)

ਪਾਵਿਤਸ੍ਥਲੇ Pavitasthale

on the ground (his neck) made holy

ਗਲੇ Gale

on his neck

ਅਵਲੰਬ੍ਯ Avalambya

having hung

ਲੰਬਿਤਾਂ ਭੁਜੰਗਤੁੰਗਮਾਲਿਕਾਮ੍ Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam

a long, great garland of serpents

ਡਮੱਡਮੱਡਮੱਡਮੰਨਿਨਾਦਵਤ੍ Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavat

sounding 'damad damad damad'

ਡਮਰ੍ਵਯਮ੍ Damarvayam

this damaru drum

ਚਕਾਰ ਚੰਡਤਾਂਡਵੰ Chakara Chanda Tandavam

performed the fierce Tandava

ਤਨੋਤੁ ਨਃ Tanotu Nah

may he spread for us

ਸ਼ਿਵਃ ਸ਼ਿਵਮ੍ 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.

ਜਟਾਕਟਾਹ Jatakataha

the cauldron of his matted hair

ਸੰਭ੍ਰਮਭ੍ਰਮਤ੍ Sambhrama Bhramat

swirling wildly

ਨਿਲਿੰਪਨਿਰ੍ਝਰੀ Nilimpanirjhari

the celestial river Ganga

ਵਿਲੋਲਵੀਚਿਵੱਲਰੀ Vilolavichivallari

rows of restless waves

ਵਿਰਾਜਮਾਨਮੂਰ੍ਧਨਿ Virajamanamurdhani

on whose head they shine

ਧਗੱਧਗੱਧਗੱਜ੍ਵਲਤ੍ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalat

blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ਲਲਾਟਪੱਟਪਾਵਕੇ Lalata Patta Pavake

with fire on the plane of his forehead

ਕਿਸ਼ੋਰਚੰਦ੍ਰਸ਼ੇਖਰੇ Kishora Chandrashekhare

in him who wears the young crescent moon

ਰਤਿਃ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਕ੍ਸ਼ਣੰ ਮਮ 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.

ਧਰਾਧਰੇਂਦ੍ਰਨੰਦਿਨੀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, daughter of the mountain king

ਵਿਲਾਸਬੰਧੁਬੰਧੁਰ Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

delighting in her playful grace

ਸ੍ਫੁਰੱਦਿਗੰਤਸੰਤਤਿ Sphurad Diganta Santati

all beings shining to the ends of the directions

ਪ੍ਰਮੋਦਮਾਨਮਾਨਸੇ Pramodamana Manase

whose mind rejoices

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਕਟਾਕ੍ਸ਼ਧੋਰਣੀ Kripa Kataksha Dhorani

the stream of his merciful glances

ਨਿਰੁੱਧਦੁਰ੍ਧਰਾਪਦਿ Niruddha Durdharapadi

which stops even the hardest calamities

ਕ੍ਵਚਿਤ੍ Kvachit

at some time, somewhere

ਦਿਗੰਬਰੇ Digambare

in Digambara, clothed by the directions

ਮਨੋ ਵਿਨੋਦਮ੍ ਏਤੁ Mano Vinodam Etu

may my mind find delight

ਵਸ੍ਤੁਨਿ 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.

ਜਟਾਭੁਜੰਗ Jata Bhujanga

the serpents in his matted hair

ਪਿੰਗਲਸ੍ਫੁਰੱਫਣਾਮਣਿਪ੍ਰਭਾ Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

the tawny glow of gems on their shining hoods

ਕਦੰਬਕੁੰਕੁਮਦ੍ਰਵ Kadamba Kunkuma Drava

like a wash of saffron paste

ਪ੍ਰਲਿਪ੍ਤਦਿਗ੍ਵਧੂਮੁਖੇ Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

painting the faces of the maidens of the directions

ਮਦਾਂਧਸਿੰਧੁਰ Madandha Sindhura

a maddened elephant

ਸ੍ਫੁਰੱਤ੍ਵਗੁੱਤਰੀਯਮੇਦੁਰੇ Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

wearing its glossy hide as an upper cloth

ਮਨੋ ਵਿਨੋਦਮ੍ ਅੱਭੁਤੰ ਬਿਭਰ੍ਤੁ Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu

may my mind hold a wondrous joy

ਭੂਤਭਰ੍ਤਰਿ 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.

ਸਹਸ੍ਰਲੋਚਨਪ੍ਰਭ੍ਰਿਤਿ Sahasra Lochana Prabhriti

Indra, the thousand-eyed, and the rest

ਅਸ਼ੇਸ਼ਲੇਖਸ਼ੇਖਰ Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

the crowns of all the gods

ਪ੍ਰਸੂਨਧੂਲਿਧੋਰਣੀ Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani

the steady fall of flower pollen

ਵਿਧੂਸਰਾਂਘ੍ਰਿਪੀਠਭੂਃ Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh

whose footstool is grey with it

ਭੁਜੰਗਰਾਜਮਾਲਯਾ Bhujangaraja Malaya

with a garland of the king of serpents

ਨਿਬੱਧਜਾਟਜੂਟਕਃ Nibaddha Jatajutakah

whose knot of matted hair is tied

ਸ਼੍ਰਿਯੈ ਚਿਰਾਯ ਜਾਯਤਾਂ Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam

may he be for lasting prosperity

ਚਕੋਰਬੰਧੁਸ਼ੇਖਰਃ 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.

ਲਲਾਟਚਤ੍ਵਰ Lalata Chatvara

the broad square of his forehead

ਜ੍ਵਲੱਧਨੰਜਯਸ੍ਫੁਲਿੰਗਭਾ Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha

the sparks of the blazing fire

ਨਿਪੀਤਪੰਚਸਾਯਕੰ Nipita Panchasayakam

which swallowed Kamadeva, god of five arrows

ਨਮੰਨਿਲਿੰਪਨਾਯਕਮ੍ Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

to whom the lord of the gods bows

ਸੁਧਾਮਯੂਖਲੇਖਯਾ Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya

with the streak of the nectar-rayed moon

ਵਿਰਾਜਮਾਨਸ਼ੇਖਰੰ Virajamana Shekharam

whose crest shines

ਮਹਾਕਪਾਲਿ Maha Kapali

of the great Kapali (Shiva)

ਸੰਪਦੇ Sampade

for prosperity

ਸ਼ਿਰੋ ਜਟਾਲਮ੍ ਅਸ੍ਤੁ ਨਃ 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.

ਕਰਾਲਭਾਲਪੱਟਿਕਾ Karala Bhala Pattika

the fierce plane of his forehead

ਧਗੱਧਗੱਧਗੱਜ੍ਵਲੱਧਨੰਜਯ Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad Dhananjaya

the fire blazing 'dhagad dhagad'

ਆਹੁਤੀਕ੍ਰਿਤਪ੍ਰਚੰਡਪੰਚਸਾਯਕੇ Ahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake

into which he offered the mighty Kamadeva

ਧਰਾਧਰੇਂਦ੍ਰਨੰਦਿਨੀ Dharadharendra Nandini

Parvati, the mountain king's daughter

ਕੁਚਾਗ੍ਰਚਿਤ੍ਰਪਤ੍ਰਕਪ੍ਰਕਲ੍ਪਨ Kuchagra Chitra Patraka Prakalpana

drawing ornamental leaf-patterns on her bosom

ਏਕਸ਼ਿਲ੍ਪਿਨਿ Ekashilpini

the one true artist

ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਚਨੇ Trilochane

in the three-eyed one

ਰਤਿਰ੍ਮਮ 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.

ਨਵੀਨਮੇਘਮੰਡਲੀ Navina Megha Mandali

a mass of fresh rain-clouds

ਨਿਰੁੱਧਦੁਰ੍ਧਰਸ੍ਫੁਰਤ੍ Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

closing in, dense and deepening

ਕੁਹੂਨਿਸ਼ੀਥਿਨੀਤਮਃ Kuhu Nishithini Tamah

the darkness of a new-moon midnight

ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਬੱਧਕੰਧਰਃ Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

whose throat is bound with it

ਨਿਲਿੰਪਨਿਰ੍ਝਰੀਧਰਃ Nilimpa Nirjharidharah

bearer of the celestial Ganga

ਤਨੋਤੁ Tanotu

may he spread

ਕ੍ਰਿੱਤਿਸਿੰਧੁਰਃ Kritti Sindhurah

who wears the elephant's hide

ਕਲਾਨਿਧਾਨਬੰਧੁਰਃ Kalanidhana Bandhurah

lovely with the moon

ਸ਼੍ਰਿਯੰ Shriyam

prosperity

ਜਗੱਧੁਰੰਧਰਃ 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.

ਪ੍ਰਫੁੱਲਨੀਲਪੰਕਜ Praphulla Nila Pankaja

fully bloomed blue lotuses

ਪ੍ਰਪੰਚਕਾਲਿਮਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਲੰਬਿ Prapancha Kalima Prabhavalambi

bearing their spreading dark glow

ਕੰਠਕੰਦਲੀਰੁਚਿਪ੍ਰਬੱਧਕੰਧਰਮ੍ Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

whose throat is bound in that lovely dark sheen

ਸ੍ਮਰੱਛਿਦੰ Smarachchhidam

destroyer of Kama

ਪੁਰੱਛਿਦੰ Purachchhidam

destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)

ਭਵੱਛਿਦੰ Bhavachchhidam

who cuts the bonds of worldly life

ਮਖੱਛਿਦੰ Makhachchhidam

who ended Daksha's sacrifice

ਗਜੱਛਿਦ੍ Gajachchhid

slayer of the elephant demon

ਅੰਧਕੱਛਿਦੰ Andhakachchhidam

slayer of the demon Andhaka

ਤਮ੍ ਅੰਤਕੱਛਿਦੰ ਭਜੇ 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.

ਅਖਰ੍ਵ Akharva

boundless, never small

ਸਰ੍ਵਮੰਗਲਾ Sarva Mangala

Parvati, the all-auspicious

ਕਲਾਕਦੰਬਮੰਜਰੀ Kala Kadamba Manjari

the blossoming cluster of her arts and graces

ਰਸਪ੍ਰਵਾਹਮਾਧੁਰੀ Rasa Pravaha Madhuri

the sweetness of its flowing nectar

ਵਿਜ੍ਰਿੰਭਣਾਮਧੁਵ੍ਰਤਮ੍ Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

the bee who revels in it

ਸ੍ਮਰਾਂਤਕੰ ਪੁਰਾਂਤਕੰ Smarantakam Purantakam

ender of Kama, ender of Tripura

ਭਵਾਂਤਕੰ ਮਖਾਂਤਕੰ Bhavantakam Makhantakam

ender of worldly bondage, ender of Daksha's sacrifice

ਗਜਾਂਤਕਾਂਧਕਾਂਤਕੰ Gajantakandhakantakam

ender of Gajasura and Andhaka

ਤਮ੍ ਅੰਤਕਾਂਤਕੰ ਭਜੇ 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.

ਜਯਤੁ Jayatu

victory to

ਅਦਭ੍ਰਵਿਭ੍ਰਮਭ੍ਰਮਤ੍ Adabhra Vibhrama Bhramat

whirling in wide, swift circles

ਭੁਜੰਗਮਸ਼੍ਵਸਦ੍ਵਿਨਿਰ੍ਗਮਤ੍ Bhujangama Shvasad Vinirgamat

the hissing breath of the serpents

ਕ੍ਰਮਸ੍ਫੁਰਤ੍ਕਰਾਲਭਾਲਹਵ੍ਯਵਾਟ੍ Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

the fire on his fierce forehead flaring up by turns

ਧਿਮਿੱਧਿਮਿੱਧਿਮਿੱਧ੍ਵਨਤ੍ Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanat

sounding 'dhimid dhimid dhimid'

ਮ੍ਰਿਦੰਗਤੁੰਗਮੰਗਲਧ੍ਵਨਿਕ੍ਰਮ Mridanga Tunga Mangala Dhvani Krama

the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridanga

ਪ੍ਰਵਰ੍ਤਿਤਪ੍ਰਚੰਡਤਾਂਡਵਃ Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah

who performs the fierce Tandava to it

ਸ਼ਿਵਃ 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?

ਦ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਦ੍ਵਿਚਿਤ੍ਰਤਲ੍ਪਯੋਃ Drishad Vichitra Talpayoh

towards a rock and a richly made bed

ਭੁਜੰਗਮੌਕ੍ਤਿਕਸ੍ਰਜੋਃ Bhujanga Mauktika Srajoh

a snake and a pearl necklace

ਗਰਿਸ਼੍ਠਰਤ੍ਨਲੋਸ਼੍ਠਯੋਃ Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh

a precious gem and a lump of clay

ਸੁਹ੍ਰਿਦ੍ਵਿਪਕ੍ਸ਼ਪਕ੍ਸ਼ਯੋਃ Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

friend and foe

ਤ੍ਰਿਣਾਰਵਿੰਦਚਕ੍ਸ਼ੁਸ਼ੋਃ Trinaravinda Chakshushoh

a blade of grass and a lotus-eyed beauty

ਪ੍ਰਜਾਮਹੀਮਹੇਂਦ੍ਰਯੋਃ Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

a common subject and an emperor

ਸਮਪ੍ਰਵ੍ਰਿੱਤਿਕਃ Sama Pravrittikah

with an even mind

ਕਦਾ ਸਦਾਸ਼ਿਵੰ ਭਜਾਮ੍ਯਹਮ੍ 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?

ਕਦਾ Kada

when

ਨਿਲਿੰਪਨਿਰ੍ਝਰੀਨਿਕੁੰਜਕੋਟਰੇ Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare

in a hollow of the groves by the celestial Ganga

ਵਸਨ੍ Vasan

living

ਵਿਮੁਕ੍ਤਦੁਰ੍ਮਤਿਃ Vimukta Durmatih

freed from wrong thoughts

ਸਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਰਃਸ੍ਥਮ੍ ਅੰਜਲਿੰ ਵਹਨ੍ Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan

always holding joined palms above my head

ਵਿਲੋਲਲੋਲਲੋਚਨਃ Vilola Lola Lochanah

with eyes moist and moving (in devotion)

ਲਲਾਮਭਾਲਲਗ੍ਨਕਃ Lalama Bhala Lagnakah

fixed on him of the adorned forehead

ਸ਼ਿਵੇਤਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਮ੍ ਉੱਚਰਨ੍ Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan

chanting the mantra 'Shiva'

ਕਦਾ ਸੁਖੀ ਭਵਾਮ੍ਯਹਮ੍ 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.

ਨਿਲਿੰਪਨਾਥਨਾਗਰੀਕਦੰਬ Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba

the many celestial women of Indra's city

ਮੌਲਮੱਲਿਕਾਨਿਗੁੰਫ Maula Mallika Nigumpha

jasmine garlands woven in their hair

ਨਿਰ੍ਭਰਕ੍ਸ਼ਰਨ੍ਮਧੂਸ਼੍ਣਿਕਾ Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika

richly dripping honey-sweet fragrance

ਮਨੋਹਰਃ Manoharah

enchanting

ਤਨੋਤੁ ਨੋ ਮਨੋਮੁਦੰ Tanotu No Mano Mudam

may it spread joy in our minds

ਵਿਨੋਦਿਨੀਮ੍ ਅਹਰ੍ਨਿਸ਼ੰ Vinodinim Aharnisham

delightful, day and night

ਪਰਸ਼੍ਰਿਯਃ ਪਰੰ ਪਦੰ Parashriyah Param Padam

the supreme abode of the highest glory

ਤਦੰਗਜਤ੍ਵਿਸ਼ਾਂ ਚਯਃ 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.

ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡਵਾਡਵਾਨਲਪ੍ਰਭਾ Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha

bright as the fierce fire beneath the ocean

ਸ਼ੁਭਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਣੀ Shubha Pracharani

spreading auspiciousness

ਮਹਾਸ਼੍ਟਸਿੱਧਿਕਾਮਿਨੀਜਨ Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Jana

the maidens who are the eight great siddhis

ਅਵਹੂਤਜਲ੍ਪਨਾ Avahuta Jalpana

echoed by their calls

ਵਿਮੁਕ੍ਤਵਾਮਲੋਚਨਾ Vimukta Vama Lochana

the lovely-eyed bride (Parvati)

ਵਿਵਾਹਕਾਲਿਕਧ੍ਵਨਿਃ Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

the sound heard at the hour of the wedding

ਸ਼ਿਵੇਤਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਭੂਸ਼ਣਾ Shiveti Mantra Bhushana

adorned by the mantra 'Shiva'

ਜਗੱਜਯਾਯ ਜਾਯਤਾਮ੍ 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.