Nityaनित्य
Shiva Tandava Stotram
शिव तांडव स्तोत्रम्
The Shiva Tandava Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn describing Shiva's fierce cosmic dance, the Tandava, and tradition attributes it to Ravana, king of Lanka. It has 15 shlokas followed by 2 phalashruti verses, in a fast metre that imitates the beat of Shiva's damaru. Tradition holds it especially fruitful on Mondays and at Pradosha, the evening twilight.
Shloka 1
Jatatavigalajjala Pravahapavitasthale
Gale'valambya Lambitam Bhujangatunga Malikam
Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavad Damarvayam
Chakara Chanda Tandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam
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.
Shloka 2
Jatakatahasambhrama Bhramannilimpanirjhari
Vilolavichivallari Virajamanamurdhani
Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalal Lalata Patta Pavake
Kishora Chandrashekhare Ratih Pratikshanam Mama
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.
Shloka 3
Dharadharendra Nandini Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura
Sphurad Diganta Santati Pramodamana Manase
Kripa Kataksha Dhorani Niruddha Durdharapadi
Kvachid Digambare Mano Vinodam Etu Vastuni
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.
Shloka 4
Jata Bhujanga Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha
Kadamba Kunkuma Drava Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe
Madandha Sindhura Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure
Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu Bhutabhartari
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.
Shloka 5
Sahasra Lochana Prabhrityashesha Lekha Shekhara
Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani Vidhusaranghri Pithabhuh
Bhujangaraja Malaya Nibaddha Jatajutakah
Shriyai Chiraya Jayatam Chakora Bandhu Shekharah
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.
Shloka 6
Lalata Chatvara Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabha
Nipita Panchasayakam Naman Nilimpa Nayakam
Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya Virajamana Shekharam
Maha Kapali Sampade Shiro Jatalam Astu Nah
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.
Shloka 7
Karala Bhala Pattika Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad
Dhananjayahuti Krita Prachanda Panchasayake
Dharadharendra Nandini Kuchagra Chitra Patraka
Prakalpanaika Shilpini Trilochane Ratir Mama
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.
Shloka 8
Navina Megha Mandali Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat
Kuhu Nishithini Tamah Prabandha Baddha Kandharah
Nilimpa Nirjharidharas Tanotu Kritti Sindhurah
Kalanidhana Bandhurah Shriyam Jagad Dhurandharah
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.
Shloka 9
Praphulla Nila Pankaja Prapancha Kalima Prabha
Valambi Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam
Smarachchhidam Purachchhidam Bhavachchhidam Makhachchhidam
Gajachchhidandhakachchhidam Tam Antakachchhidam Bhaje
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.
Shloka 10
Akharva Sarva Mangala Kala Kadamba Manjari
Rasa Pravaha Madhuri Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam
Smarantakam Purantakam Bhavantakam Makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam Tam Antakantakam Bhaje
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.
Shloka 11
Jayatvadabhra Vibhrama Bhramad Bhujangamashvasad
Vinirgamat Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat
Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanan Mridanga Tunga Mangala
Dhvani Krama Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah Shivah
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.
Shloka 12
Drishad Vichitra Talpayor Bhujanga Mauktika Srajor
Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh
Trinaravinda Chakshushoh Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh
Sama Pravrittikah Kada Sadashivam Bhajamyaham
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?
Shloka 13
Kada Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare Vasan
Vimukta Durmatih Sada Shirahstham Anjalim Vahan
Vilola Lola Lochano Lalama Bhala Lagnakah
Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan Kada Sukhi Bhavamyaham
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?
Shloka 14
Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba Maula Mallika
Nigumpha Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika Manoharah
Tanotu No Mano Mudam Vinodinim Aharnisham
Parashriyah Param Padam Tad Angaja Tvisham Chayah
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.
Shloka 15
Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha Shubha Pracharani
Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Janavahuta Jalpana
Vimukta Vama Lochana Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih
Shiveti Mantra Bhushana Jagaj Jayaya Jayatam
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.
Phalashruti 1 (shloka 16)
Imam Hi Nityam Evam Uktam Uttamottamam Stavam
Pathan Smaran Bruvan Naro Vishuddhim Eti Santatam
Hare Gurau Subhaktim Ashu Yati Nanyatha Gatim
Vimohanam Hi Dehinam Sushankarasya Chintanam
Whoever daily reads, remembers or recites this most excellent hymn, just as it has been told, is ever purified and soon gains deep devotion to Hara, the true Guru; there is no other way. For meditation on the gracious Shankara, tradition holds, dispels the delusion of all embodied beings.
Phalashruti 2 (shloka 17)
Pujavasana Samaye Dashavaktra Gitam
Yah Shambhu Pujana Param Pathati Pradoshe
Tasya Sthiram Ratha Gajendra Turanga Yuktam
Lakshmim Sadaiva Sumukhim Pradadati Shambhuh
Whoever, at the close of worship on the evening of Pradosha, recites this hymn sung by the ten-headed Ravana in praise of Shambhu, is granted by Shambhu, tradition holds, a steady and ever-gracious prosperity, rich with chariots, fine elephants and horses.