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शिव तांडव स्तोत्र
15 VersesComposed by Ravana, this stotram glorifies the fierce and graceful form of Lord Shiva. Each verse is a jewel of devotion.
1 जटा-टवी
जटा-टवी-गलज्जल-प्रवाह-पावित-स्थले।
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजंग-तुंग-मालिकाम्।
डमड्-डमड्-डमड्-डमन्, निनाद-वड्-डमर्वयम्।
चकार चण्ड-ताण्डवं, तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजंग-तुंग-मालिकाम्।
डमड्-डमड्-डमड्-डमन्, निनाद-वड्-डमर्वयम्।
चकार चण्ड-ताण्डवं, तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥
Meaning: At the place where the flowing streams of matted locks purify the ground, with a garland of lofty serpents hanging around the neck, and the loud sound of ḍamaḍ ḍamaḍ ḍamaḍ ḍaman, may Lord Shiva grant us peace and bliss through His fierce Tandava dance.
2 जटा-कटाह
जटा-कटाह-संभ्रम, भ्रमन्-निलिम्प-निर्झरी।
विलोल-वीचि-वल्लरी, विराजमान-मूर्धनि।
धगद्-धगद्-धगज्-ज्वलत्, ललाट-पट्ट-पावके।
किशोर-चन्द्र-शेखरे, रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥
विलोल-वीचि-वल्लरी, विराजमान-मूर्धनि।
धगद्-धगद्-धगज्-ज्वलत्, ललाट-पट्ट-पावके।
किशोर-चन्द्र-शेखरे, रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥
Meaning: On the head agitated by the flowing celestial river (Ganga), with its waves and ripples adorned, and the flame that blazes on the forehead (the third eye) with the sound dhagad-dhagad, I always take delight in the crescent-moon-crested Lord.
3 धराधरेन्द्र
धराधरेन्द्र-नन्दिनी, विलास-बन्धु-बन्धुर।
स्फुरद्-दिगन्त-सन्तति, प्रमोद-मान-मानसे।
कृपा-कटाक्ष-धोरणी, निरुद्ध-दुर्धरा-पदि।
क्वचिद्-दिगम्बरे, मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥
स्फुरद्-दिगन्त-सन्तति, प्रमोद-मान-मानसे।
कृपा-कटाक्ष-धोरणी, निरुद्ध-दुर्धरा-पदि।
क्वचिद्-दिगम्बरे, मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥
Meaning: He who is the beloved of the daughter of the mountain-king (Parvati), with the beauty of playful grace, whose mind is pleased with the spreading splendour of the directions, whose merciful glance holds back the unbearable (sins), may my mind find delight in that Digambara (one who wears the sky as garment).
4 जटा-भुजंग
जटा-भुजंग-पिंगल, स्फुरत्-फणा-मणि-प्रभा।
कदम्ब-कुंकुम-द्रव, प्रलिप्त-दिग्वधू-मुखे।
मदान्ध-सिन्धुर-स्फुरत्, त्वग्-उत्तरीय-मेदुरे।
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं, बिभर्तु भूत-भर्तरि॥
कदम्ब-कुंकुम-द्रव, प्रलिप्त-दिग्वधू-मुखे।
मदान्ध-सिन्धुर-स्फुरत्, त्वग्-उत्तरीय-मेदुरे।
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं, बिभर्तु भूत-भर्तरि॥
Meaning: The tawny serpent on the matted hair, with its brilliant gems on the expanded hood, the saffron paste smeared on the faces of the celestial damsels, the elephant hide as the upper garment — may my mind find wonderful delight in the Lord of beings.
5 सहस्र-लोचन
सहस्र-लोचन-प्रभृत्य, अशेष-लेख-शेखर।
प्रसून-धूलि-धोरणी, विधूसर-अंघ्रि-पीठ-भूः।
भुजंग-राज-मालया, निबद्ध-जाट-जूटकः।
श्रियै चिराय जायतां, चकोर-बन्धु-शेखरः॥
प्रसून-धूलि-धोरणी, विधूसर-अंघ्रि-पीठ-भूः।
भुजंग-राज-मालया, निबद्ध-जाट-जूटकः।
श्रियै चिराय जायतां, चकोर-बन्धु-शेखरः॥
Meaning: He who is the crest-jewel of all, starting with Indra (thousand-eyed), whose foot-stool is made grey by the dust from flowers, who has his matted locks tied by the king of serpents, may that moon-crested Lord bestow prosperity for a long time.
6 ललाट-चत्वर
ललाट-चत्वर-ज्वलत्, धनंजय-स्फुलिंग-भा।
निपीत-पंच-सायकं, नमन्-निलिम्प-नायकम्।
सुधा-मयूख-लेखया, विराजमान-शेखरम्।
महाकपाली-संपदे, शिरो-जटाल-मस्तु नः॥
निपीत-पंच-सायकं, नमन्-निलिम्प-नायकम्।
सुधा-मयूख-लेखया, विराजमान-शेखरम्।
महाकपाली-संपदे, शिरो-जटाल-मस्तु नः॥
Meaning: The fire that blazes on the forehead, with sparks of Dhanañjaya (fire), who has swallowed the five arrows (of Kama), who is bowed to by the leaders of celestials, who shines with the crescent-moon as crest — may that great Kapali (Shiva) with matted locks be our refuge.
7 कराल-भाल
कराल-भाल-पट्टिका, धगद्-धगद्-धगज्-ज्वलत्।
धनंजयाहुती-कृत, प्रचण्ड-पंच-सायके।
धराधरेन्द्र-नन्दिनी, कुचाग्र-चित्र-पत्रक।
प्रकल्पनैक-शिल्पिनि, त्रिलोचने रतिर्-मम॥
धनंजयाहुती-कृत, प्रचण्ड-पंच-सायके।
धराधरेन्द्र-नन्दिनी, कुचाग्र-चित्र-पत्रक।
प्रकल्पनैक-शिल्पिनि, त्रिलोचने रतिर्-मम॥
Meaning: The terrible fire on the forehead blazing with the sound dhagad-dhagad, with the five mighty arrows of Kama offered to the fire, the daughter of the mountain-king (Parvati) whose breast is the canvas for art — I delight in the three-eyed Lord, the sole artist of creation.
8 नवीन-मेघ
नवीन-मेघ-मंडली, निरुद्ध-दुर्धर-स्फुरत्।
कुहू-निशीथिनी-तमः, प्रबन्ध-बद्ध-कन्धरः।
निलिम्प-निर्झरी-धरः, तनोतु कृत्ति-सिन्धुरः।
कला-निधान-बन्धुरः, श्रियं जगद्-धुरंधरः॥
कुहू-निशीथिनी-तमः, प्रबन्ध-बद्ध-कन्धरः।
निलिम्प-निर्झरी-धरः, तनोतु कृत्ति-सिन्धुरः।
कला-निधान-बन्धुरः, श्रियं जगद्-धुरंधरः॥
Meaning: The neck bound by the darkness of the new-moon night, who bears the celestial river (Ganga), who wears the elephant hide, who is the repository of arts, the bearer of the world's burden — may He bestow prosperity.
9 प्रफुल्ल-नील
प्रफुल्ल-नील-पंकज, प्रपंच-कालिम-प्रभा।
वलम्बि-कण्ठ-कन्दली, रुचि-प्रबद्ध-कन्धरम्।
स्मर-च्छिदं, पुर-च्छिदं, भव-च्छिदं, मख-च्छिदम्।
गज-च्छिदांधक-च्छिदं, तम्-अन्तक-च्छिदं भजे॥
वलम्बि-कण्ठ-कन्दली, रुचि-प्रबद्ध-कन्धरम्।
स्मर-च्छिदं, पुर-च्छिदं, भव-च्छिदं, मख-च्छिदम्।
गज-च्छिदांधक-च्छिदं, तम्-अन्तक-च्छिदं भजे॥
Meaning: I worship Him who is the destroyer of Cupid (Kama), the destroyer of cities (Tripura), the destroyer of worldly existence, the destroyer of sacrifices, the destroyer of the elephant (Gajasura), the destroyer of Andhaka, and the destroyer of death itself — the Lord with the beautiful blue lotus-like neck.
10 अखर्व-सर्व
अखर्व-सर्व-मंगला, कला-कदम्ब-मंजरी।
रस-प्रवाह-माधुरी, विजृम्भणा-मधुव्रतम्।
स्मरान्तकं, पुरान्तकं, भवान्तकं, मखान्तकम्।
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं, तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥
रस-प्रवाह-माधुरी, विजृम्भणा-मधुव्रतम्।
स्मरान्तकं, पुरान्तकं, भवान्तकं, मखान्तकम्।
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं, तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥
Meaning: The Lord of all auspiciousness, the cluster of all arts, the sweetness of the flow of essence, the intoxicated bee (of bliss) — I worship the destroyer of Kama, Tripura, worldly existence, sacrifice, Gajasura, Andhaka, and the destroyer of death.
11 जयत्वद्-अभ्र
जयत्वद्-अभ्र-विभ्रम, भ्रमद्-भुजंगम-श्वसत्।
विनिर्गमत्-क्रम-स्फुरत्, कराल-भाल-हव्यवाट्।
धिमिद्-धिमिद्-धिमि-ध्वनन्, मृदंग-तुंग-मंगल।
ध्वनि-क्रम-प्रवर्तित, प्रचण्ड-ताण्डवः शिवः॥
विनिर्गमत्-क्रम-स्फुरत्, कराल-भाल-हव्यवाट्।
धिमिद्-धिमिद्-धिमि-ध्वनन्, मृदंग-तुंग-मंगल।
ध्वनि-क्रम-प्रवर्तित, प्रचण्ड-ताण्डवः शिवः॥
Meaning: The Lord whose fierce Tandava dance is accompanied by the sound of the ḍamaru (dhimid dhimid), the blazing fire of the forehead, the moving serpents — may that fierce dancing Shiva be victorious.
12 दृषद्-विचित्र
दृषद्-विचित्र-तल्पयोः, भुजंग-मौक्तिक-स्रजोर्।
गरिष्ठ-रत्न-लोष्ठयोः, सुहृद्-विपक्ष-पक्षयोः।
तृणारविन्द-चक्षुषोः, प्रजा-मही-महेन्द्रयोः।
समं प्रवर्तयन् मनः, कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥
गरिष्ठ-रत्न-लोष्ठयोः, सुहृद्-विपक्ष-पक्षयोः।
तृणारविन्द-चक्षुषोः, प्रजा-मही-महेन्द्रयोः।
समं प्रवर्तयन् मनः, कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥
Meaning: When shall I worship the eternal Lord Shiva, who looks with equal eye on a stone or a gem, on a serpent or a garland, on an enemy or a friend, on a blade of grass or a lotus, on a subject or a king?
13 कदा निलिम्प
कदा निलिम्प-निर्झरी, निकुंज-कोटरे वसन्।
विमुक्त-दुर्मतिः सदा, शिरःस्थ-मंजलिं वहन्।
विमुक्त-लोल-लोचन, ललाम-भाल-लग्नकः।
"शिव" इति मंत्रम् उच्चरन्, कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥
विमुक्त-दुर्मतिः सदा, शिरःस्थ-मंजलिं वहन्।
विमुक्त-लोल-लोचन, ललाम-भाल-लग्नकः।
"शिव" इति मंत्रम् उच्चरन्, कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥
Meaning: When, residing in the cave of the celestial Ganga, free from evil thoughts, bearing the crest (moon) on the head, with the third eye on the forehead, chanting the mantra "Shiva", shall I become happy?
14 इदं हि नित्यम्
इदं हि नित्यम् एवम्, उक्तम् उत्तमोत्तमं स्तवम्।
पठन् स्मरन् ब्रुवन् नरः, विशुद्धिम् एति सन्ततम्।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिम् आशु, याति नान्यथा गतिम्।
विमोहनं हि देहिनां, सुशंकरस्य चिंतनम्॥
पठन् स्मरन् ब्रुवन् नरः, विशुद्धिम् एति सन्ततम्।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिम् आशु, याति नान्यथा गतिम्।
विमोहनं हि देहिनां, सुशंकरस्य चिंतनम्॥
Meaning: This supreme stotram, when recited, remembered, or uttered daily, a person attains purity. He swiftly gains devotion to Hari and Guru, and attains the supreme goal. The contemplation of Shankara removes the delusion of embodied souls.
15 पूजा-अवसान
पूजा-अवसान-समये, दश-वक्त्र-त्र-गीतं यः।
शम्भू-पूजन-परं, पठति प्रदोषे।
तस्य स्थिरां, रथ-गजेंद्र-तुरंग-युक्ताम्।
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं, प्रददाति शम्भुः॥
शम्भू-पूजन-परं, पठति प्रदोषे।
तस्य स्थिरां, रथ-गजेंद्र-तुरंग-युक्ताम्।
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं, प्रददाति शम्भुः॥
Meaning: Whoever reads this hymn sung by Ravana at the end of worship, devoted to the worship of Shambhu, especially in the evening (Pradosha), to him Lord Shambhu always bestows stable prosperity, with chariots, elephants, and horses.
Significance & Benefits
Protects from negative energies and fears.
Brings mental clarity and inner peace.
Deepens devotion and spiritual connection.
Bestows prosperity and success (as per verse 15).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Shiv Tandav Stotram?
It is attributed to Ravana, the great devotee of Lord Shiva and king of Lanka.
What is the best time to chant this stotram?
Early morning, evening (Pradosha time), or during Shiva puja. It can be chanted anytime with devotion.
Can I chant only a few verses?
Yes, chanting any verse with faith brings blessings, but the complete stotram is most powerful.
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🕉️ ॐ नमः शिवाय — May Shiva bless all.