Who Wrote Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a hymn written and sung by Demon King Ravana in praise of Lord Shiva. The Shiva Tandava Stotram represents the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva which removes all negative energies. The hymn consists of 15 verses and each verse describes the fearless Shiva and his eternal beauty in detail.
Why Ravanasura Wrote Shiva Tandava Stotram?
In India, each dominant divine energy has many forms and names. Among the many virtues of Lord Shiva, the most popular is the one in which Shiva is called Bholenath; it means someone who is innocent and easy to please.
The legend goes like this: Lord Shiva bestowed a blessing on anyone who praised him or did penance with faith and devotion. All the demons took undue advantage of this and worshiped Lord Shiva because they knew it was easy to please him and then receive a blessing.
Ravana, who was a high priest, administrator, warrior and ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, was known as the demon of demons. He loved himself and his powers very much.
The story of Shiva Tandava Stotram begins on the day when Ravana tried to lift Kailash Mountain in his hand to take Lord Shiva with him to Lanka. As a result, Lord Shiva squeezed his toe and, in the process, crushed Ravana’s fingers. Ravana cried in pain. To escape Lord Shiva’s wrath, Ravana sang a hymn known as Shiva Tandava Stotram.
Music is said to be the most powerful tool in pleasing the Lord. Lord Shiva was engrossed in Ravana’s music and was extremely happy. When Lord Shiva told Ravana to ask for a boon, Ravana asked the Lord to grant him the most powerful tool and so he became indestructible.
Why Should we Chant Ravana’s Shiva Tandava Stotram?
There are countless benefits of chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram. Singing or listening to Shiva Tandava Stotram gives immense power, beauty and mental strength. It is said that chanting the stotram removes all negative energies and makes the atmosphere pious.
When to Chant Shiva Tandava Stotram & What Are its Benefits?
Shiva Tandava Stotram does not have a specific time and anyone can chant it at any time. However, there are some special benefits to singing it at these times:
1) During an Eclipse: It is said that when you chant Om Namah Shivaya or Shiva Tandava Stotram during the time of an eclipse, all the ill effects of the planets are reduced. During the eclipse, chanting, meditating or praying is a hundred times more effective than at other times.
2) During Dawn and Dusk: It is said that whatever activity you do during Brahma Muhurta, its impact is much greater. Reduce the amount of energy consumed and double your productivity. In the evening, lamps are lit in each house and prayers are offered in many houses. Some even perform satsangs to soak up the positive vibes.
3) Pradosh Vrat: Pradosh Kaal is the period of the month that falls on the 13th and is also known as Trayodashi tithi. This tithi falls every two weeks. It is said that chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram in every Trayodashi tithi helps burn away sins. Please note that Pradosh Kaal varies by location.
Shiva Tandava Stotram – English Lyrics and Meaning:
॥ sarthasivatandavastotram ॥
Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale
Galeavalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam |
Damad damad damaddama ninadavadamarvayam
Chakara chandtandavam tanotu nah shivah Shivam || 1 ||
From Lord Shiva’s matted hair flows the holy river, Ganga consecrating His neck,
From His neck hangs the serpent-like garland,
From His damaru (percussion instrument) comes the damad-damad-damad sound filling the air,
Lord Shiva performs His passionate Tandava dance; may the Lord bless us all!
Jata kata hasambhrama bhramanilimpanirjhari
Vilolavichivalarai virajamanamurdhani |
Dhagadhagadhagajjva lalalata pattapavake
Kishora chandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama || 2 ||
As the rows of waves of the sacred Ganga move through Lord Shiva’s matted hair, it glorifies His Head,
The waves of the river flow into the depths of His locks of hair,
A brilliant fire burns on the surface of Lord Shiva’s forehead,
And the crescent moon is a jewel on His Head.
(May we find constant joy in Him!)
Dharadharendrana ndinivilasabandhubandhura
Sphuradigantasantati pramodamanamanase |
Krupakatakshadhorani nirudhadurdharapadi
Kvachidigambare manovinodametuvastuni || 3 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the sporting consort of the daughter of the mountain king (Parvati),
In whose mind the universe with all the living beings exist,
Whose all-pervading, compassionate glance removes all hardships,
Who wears the directions as His apparel.
(May my mind find bliss in Him!)
Jata bhujan gapingala sphuratphanamaniprabha
Kadambakunkuma dravapralipta digvadhumukhe |
Madandha sindhu rasphuratvagutariyamedure
Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari || 4 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, who shines radiantly because of the luster of the gem on the reddish-brown hood of the creeping serpent,
Kadambha juice-like red vermilion (kumkum) is smeared on the faces of the Goddesses of direction,
Who wears a cloak made of elephant hide,
May I find pleasure in that Lord of Bhoota! (ghosts – meaning the mystical beings guarding Kailasa)
Sahasra lochana prabhritya sheshalekhashekhara
Prasuna dhulidhorani vidhusaranghripithabhuh |
Bhujangaraja malaya nibaddhajatajutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakora bandhushekharah || 5 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose footrest is decorated by the dust from flowers,
Which fall from the heads of all the gods – Indra, Vishnu and others,
Whose matted locks are bound by the snake-garland,
Whose head holds the moon, a friend of Chakora (a mythical bird that drinks moonlight), as a crown.
(May Lord Shiva bless us with prosperity!)
Lalata chatvarajvaladhanajnjayasphulingabha
Nipitapajnchasayakam namannilimpanayakam |
Sudha mayukha lekhaya virajamanashekharam
Maha kapali sampade shirojatalamastu nah || 6 ||
May Lord Shiva, who devoured the God of Love with the fire burning on His forehead,
Who is revered by the celestial leaders,
Whose forehead is enticing with the gleam and cool rays of the crescent moon,
Shower His blessings on us, so we obtain the wealth of the Siddhis.
Karala bhala pattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvala
Ddhanajnjaya hutikruta prachandapajnchasayake |
Dharadharendra nandini kuchagrachitrapatraka
Prakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama || 7 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose forehead burns with a dhagad-dhagad sound,
Who offered the five arrows (of the God of Love) to the fire,
Who is the only artist capable of tracing decorative lines on the tips of the breasts of Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king.
(May we repose in him!)
Navina megha mandali niruddhadurdharasphurat
Kuhu nishithinitamah prabandhabaddhakandharah |
Nilimpanirjhari dharastanotu krutti sindhurah
Kalanidhanabandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah || 8 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose neck is as dark as layers of dark clouds on the night of the full moon,
Who is enchanting as He wears the moon and celestial river on His head,
Who bears the weight of this universe.
(May He bless us with prosperity!)
Praphulla nila pankaja prapajnchakalimchatha
Vdambi kanthakandali raruchi prabaddhakandharam |
Smarachchidam purachchhidam bhavachchidam makhachchidam
Gajachchidandhakachidam tamamtakachchidam bhaje || 9 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose neck shines with the brightness of fully-bloomed blue lotus flowers (that temples use),
Which look like the blackness of the universe,
Who destroyed Manmatha (God of Love), Tripura (3 cities),
Who destroyed the bonds of worldly life, and the yagnas (sacrifices),
Who destroyed Andhaka (his blind son), who destroyed the elephant demon (Gajasura), and the God of Death (Yama).
(May He bless us with prosperity!)
Akharvagarvasarvamangala kalakadambamajnjari
Rasapravaha madhuri vijrumbhana madhuvratam |
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje || 10 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, who has bees flying around Him,
Because of the auspicious and sweet scent of the kadambha flowers,
Who destroyed Manmatha (God of Love), Tripura (3 cities),
Who destroyed the bonds of worldly life, and the yagnas (sacrifices),
Who destroyed Andhaka (his blind son), the elephant demon (Gajasura), and the God of Death (Yama).
(May He bless us with prosperity!)
Jayatvadabhravibhrama bhramadbhujangamasafur
Dhigdhigdhi nirgamatkarala bhaal havyavat |
Dhimiddhimiddhimidhva nanmrudangatungamangala
Dhvanikramapravartita prachanda tandavah shivah || 11 ||
Salutations to Lord Shiva, who has a fire on His forehead, that is ever-increasing
Because of the breath of the snake wandering in the sky,
Whose Tandava dance is in tune with dhimid-dhimid,
Victory to Lord Shiva!
Drushadvichitratalpayor bhujanga mauktikasrajor
Garishtharatnaloshthayoh suhrudvipakshapakshayoh |
Trushnaravindachakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh
Sama pravartayanmanah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham || 12 ||
Towards different forms of the world, towards a snake and a garland,
Towards the most precious gem as well as a lump of dirt, and friends and enemies,
Towards a blade of grass or a lotus, towards common people or emperors,
Lord Shiva has an equanimous vision – where can I worship Lord Sadashiva?
Kada nilimpanirjhari nikujnjakotare vasanh
Vimuktadurmatih sada shirah sthamajnjalim vahanh |
Vimuktalolalochano lalamabhalalagnakah
Shiveti mantramuchcharan sada sukhi bhavamyaham || 13 ||
When can I be happy, living in a cave near the celestial river Ganga,
Clasping my hands together on my head all the time,
Devoted to the Lord with a glorious forehead and with vibrant eyes,
Washing away my impure thoughts with the mantra of Shiva?
Imam hi nityameva muktamuttamottamam stavam
Pathansmaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam |
Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati nanyatha gatim
Vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam || 14 ||
Anyone who reads, remembers, and recites this stotram
Is purified forever and immerses in deep devotion to the great Guru Shiva leading to salvation.
There is no other way or refuge,
Just the mere thought of Lord Shiva removes the delusion and detachment.
Puja vasanasamaye dashavaktragitam
Yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshhe |
Tasya sthiram rathagajendraturangayuktam
Lakshmim sadaiva sumukhim pradadati shambhuh || 15 ||
One who recites this song composed by Ravana
At the end of prayer to Lord Shiva early in the morning,
Gets wealth of chariots, elephants, horses.
Lord Shambhu always gives such people prosperity.
Om Namah Shivay!!
(Salutations to Lord Shiva!)
Also Read:
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