Shiv Tandav Stotram

Shiv Tandav Stotram (Hindu hymn) is beautifully composed by Ravan, the most knowledgable person on the planet at that time. The stotram is in the Sanskrit language dedicated to our Lord Shiv describing his beauty and power. This is very dear to Shiv and his devotees.

It’s very rhythmic and listening to it takes a person to spiritual ecstasy. This is the most famous Shiv Stuti and is being adopted in several movies and TV serials.  Very high energy positive words are used in the composition praising Lord Shiv. Many people think it is depicting dance form, his unique physical appearance and ornaments only. But, if you read it thoughtfully, it carries a much deeper meaning and takes the reader to the highest knowledge of the supreme.

The words and rhythm are very tough, but you can memorize it if you try to understand with devotion. There is no rule and hindrance. Anyone can sing Shiv Tandav Stotram anytime either for seeking benefits like prosperity and happiness or just like that without any wishes. All you need to have is bhakti bhaav (devotion) for the Lord. This will definitely give you a feeling of eternal bliss and positive vibes.

Story behind Shiv Tandav Stotram

Now, let’s understand the legend behind this beautiful composition.

The most popular legend says that Raavan was flying in Pushpak Vimaan(flying chariot) which he won over Kuber (his stepbrother) along with the kingdom of Lanka. He was doing parikrama (circumambulation) of the entire universe on the Pushpak Vimaan. When he came near Mount Kailash, the chariot was stopped itself and he was disturbed by this thought. Mount asked him to change his route as Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati are resting. But he didn’t listen and got annoyed with Kailash. He got off the chariot and thought he would remove the mountain by his hands. He even succeeded to lift the huge Mount Kailash. That time the entire universe felt intense turbulence as Kailash is believed to be the center of the earth.

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In order to teach him a lesson, Lord Shiv pressed Mountain with his toe. So, his hands crushed between Kailash and the land. He cried in immense pain and his crying sound could be heard in all three worlds ie Earth, Heaven(Swarg lok) and Hell (patal lok). The sound is called as RAAV(crying in agony) in Sanskrit. Seeing this Gods and Narad Muni came to him and suggested him to pray upon Lord Shiv as he will surely forgive.  He was stuck in that condition for 14 days singing various  Shiv mantras. Then, on the evening of Pradosh kaal, he chanted the Shiv Tandav stotram with immense devotion in perfect rhythm. His words were magical and could be heard across the universe. Everybody was mesmerized listening to Shiv Tandav Stotram praising Lord Shiv describing his infinite beauty and power.

In the end, Shiv came down and forgave him. After this incident, Shiv gave him the name “RAAVAN”. Earlier he was known by Dashanan (ten-headed man) and after this, he was called by Raavan. Shiv was very happy after listening to Tandav Stotram as it was beautifully composed in perfect rhythm by the most knowledgeable person of 4 Vedas, 6 Upanishads. Also, he was blessed by Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. Shiv then gifted him “Chandrahas” sword. Chandra means Moon and has means smile. The sword is in Moon crescent shape which is indestructible. This is how Raavan composed and gave a gift of Shiv Tandav Stotram to the universe.

Benefits of Shiv Tandav Stotram

As per Shastras, ALL can worship Shiv. There is no rule, anyone from any caste or gender can chant the Shiv Tandav Stotram anytime. The only qualification is Bhakti (devotion). The benefits of reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram are miraculous. It gives you the power, mental strength, happiness, prosperity and a lot more. More than all these, you will definitely get Shiva’s blessings on you. If you just listen to the song with full devotion, you can surely feel the presence of Shambhoo in you. This is the most energetic and powerful composition I have heard and I bow down to it.

All the Sholkas used here define different qualities of Shiv. Listen to it as some collection of secret positive words to open hidden doors for you. If you listen and recite it, then the magic will surely spill on you.

Here is some part of the meaning

"I have a deep interest in Shiva
Whose head is glorified by the rows of moving waves of the celestial Ganga river,
Which stir in the deep well of his hair in tangled locks.
Who has the brilliant fire burning on the surface of his forehead,
And who has the crescent moon as a jewel on his head."

I know its bit tough, but learn the meaning of complete Stotram to understand different dimensions of Shiv. Close your eyes, visualize Lord Shiv along with every line of the Sholka with full devotion. And then surely you will feel a step closer to Shiv or oneness with Shiv.

It can be listened and chanted anytime but Pradosh Kaal (around 1 hour before and after sunset) is termed as the most beneficial as Raavan did it during these hours. It will cleanse your mind and give you spiritual powers. But remember, Bhakti is the only qualification. So, don’t do it for the sake of benefits only. Rather, do it without expectations with Vairagya bhaav. Shiv has said, anyone who reads, recites and remembers this stotram will be purified forever.

Tandav Stotram song and lyrics

If you want to read in English and learn the meaning, then please check out this link- Shiv Tandav

If you can read Sanskrit, in which actual Stotram was sung, then here is the lyrics.

जटा टवी गलज्जल प्रवाह पावितस्थले, गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्ग तुङ्ग मालिकाम् |
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनाद वड्डमर्वयं, चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ||१||

जटा कटा हसंभ्रम भ्रमन्निलिम्प निर्झरी, विलो लवी चिवल्लरी विराजमान मूर्धनि |
धगद् धगद् धगज्ज्वलल् ललाट पट्ट पावके किशोर चन्द्र शेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ||२||

धरा धरेन्द्र नंदिनी विलास बन्धु बन्धुरस् फुरद् दिगन्त सन्तति प्रमोद मानमानसे |
कृपा कटाक्ष धोरणी निरुद्ध दुर्धरापदि क्वचिद् दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ||३||

लता भुजङ्ग पिङ्गलस् फुरत्फणा मणिप्रभा कदम्ब कुङ्कुमद्रवप् रलिप्तदिग्व धूमुखे |
मदान्ध सिन्धुरस् फुरत् त्वगुत्तरीयमे दुरे मनो विनोद मद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ||४||

सहस्र लोचनप्रभृत्य शेष लेखशेखर प्रसून धूलिधोरणी विधूस राङ्घ्रि पीठभूः |
भुजङ्ग राजमालया निबद्ध जाटजूटक श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोर बन्धुशेखरः ||५||

ललाट चत्वरज्वलद् धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा निपीत पञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्प नायकम् |
सुधा मयूखले खया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोज टालमस्तु नः ||६||

कराल भाल पट्टिका धगद् धगद् धगज्ज्वल द्धनञ्जयाहुती कृतप्रचण्ड पञ्चसायके |
धरा धरेन्द्र नन्दिनी कुचाग्र चित्रपत्रक प्रकल्प नैक शिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम |||७||

नवीन मेघ मण्डली निरुद् धदुर् धरस्फुरत्- कुहू निशीथि नीतमः प्रबन्ध बद्ध कन्धरः |
निलिम्प निर्झरी धरस् तनोतु कृत्ति सिन्धुरः कला निधान बन्धुरः श्रियं जगद् धुरंधरः ||८||

प्रफुल्ल नीलपङ्कज प्रपञ्च कालिम प्रभा- वलम्बि कण्ठकन्दली रुचिप्रबद्ध कन्धरम् |
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छि दांध कच्छिदं तमंत कच्छिदं भजे ||९||

अखर्व सर्व मङ्गला कला कदंब मञ्जरी रस प्रवाह माधुरी विजृंभणा मधुव्रतम् |
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्त कान्ध कान्त कं तमन्त कान्त कं भजे ||१०||

जयत् वदभ्र विभ्रम भ्रमद् भुजङ्ग मश्वस – द्विनिर्ग मत् क्रमस्फुरत् कराल भाल हव्यवाट् |
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ||११||

स्पृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- – गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः |
तृष्णारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः ( समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः) कदा सदाशिवं भजे ||१२||

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् |
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ||१३||

इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् |
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ||१४||

पूजा वसान समये दशवक्त्र गीतं यः शंभु पूजन परं पठति प्रदोषे |
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्र तुरङ्ग युक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शंभुः ||१५||

इति श्रीरावण- कृतम् शिव- ताण्डव- स्तोत्रम् सम्पूर्णम्

Its been 4 years I am listening to this Stotram. My friend KK played this when we went to Mukteshwar trip. I liked it so much that after coming from the trip I used to continuously listen to it all the time. Along with that, I learned the meaning. And believe me, it gave me so much strength, power, and eternal bliss. I have full faith in this miraculous composition. My salutations to Raavan for giving us such a great Shiv Stuti.

These are my personal experiences. I have written this post with the best of knowledge and belief. Please share your thoughts on this, I would love to hear that.

For the people who have never listened to it, you MUST MUST MUST listen to it and connect with me after that.

If you loved this post, then kindly share it. Let’s learn from each other and add values in everyone’s life.

Also, you can buy this beautiful Natraj idol of Shiva depicting Tandav dance form.

OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA!

Credits: Pictures are taken from patrika.com and thebhakti.com