Shiv Tandav Stotram
Traditionally ascribed to Ravan
The Shiv Tandav Stotram praises Shiv's dance with drums, swaying serpents and fire blazing on His forehead. Devotees recite it in regular worship and at the close of evening prayers around sunset, asking for devotion, a pure mind and an equal regard for all.
Full lyrics
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥१॥
Jataatavi galaj jala pravaaha paavita sthaleGale avalambya lambitaam bhujanga tunga maalikaamDamad damad damad daman ninaada vad damarvayamChakaara chanda taandavam tanotu nah Shivah Shivam
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्द्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥२॥
Jataa kataaha sambhrama bhraman nilimpa nirjhariVilola veechi vallari viraajamaana moordhaniDhagad dhagad dhagaj jvalal lalaata patta paavakeKishora chandra shekhare ratih pratikshanam mama
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर- स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥३॥
Dharaadharendra nandini vilaasa bandhu bandhuraSphurad diganta santati pramodamaana maanaseKripaa kataaksha dhorani niruddha durdharaapadiKvachid digambare mano vinodam etu vastuni
Some versions sing 'kvachich chidambare'.
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा- कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥४॥
Jataa bhujanga pingala sphurat phanaa mani prabhaaKadamba kunkuma drava pralipta dig vadhoo mukheMadaandha sindhura sphurat tvag uttareeya medureMano vinodam adbhutam bibhartu bhoota bhartari
Some versions sing 'madaandha sindhuraasura tvag'.
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर- प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥५॥
Sahasra lochana prabhrity ashesha lekha shekharaPrasoona dhooli dhorani vidhoosaraanghri peetha bhoohBhujanga raaja maalayaa nibaddha jaata jootakahShriyai chiraaya jaayataam chakora bandhu shekharah
Also sung as 'Shriye' instead of 'Shriyai'.
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्। सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालि सम्पदे शिरो जटालमस्तु नः॥६॥
Lalaata chatvara jvalad dhananjaya sphulingabhaaNipeeta pancha saayakam naman nilimpa naayakamSudhaa mayookha lekhayaa viraajamaana shekharamMahaakapaali sampade shiro jataalam astu nah
A common reading is 'Mahah kapaali sampade sarij jataalam astu nah'.
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥७॥
Karaala bhaala pattikaa dhagad dhagad dhagaj jvalaDdhananjayaahuti krita prachanda pancha saayakeDharaadharendra nandini kuchaagra chitra patrakaPrakalpanaika shilpini trilochane ratir mama
नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः॥८॥
Naveena megha mandali niruddha durdhara sphuratKuhoo nisheethini tamah prabandha baddha kandharahNilimpa nirjhari dharas tanotu kritti sindhurahKalaa nidhaana bandhurah shriyam jagad dhurandharah
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- ऽवलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे॥९॥
Praphulla neela pankaja prapancha kaalima prabhaaValambi kantha kandali ruchi prabaddha kandharamSmara chhidam pura chhidam bhava chhidam makha chhidamGaja chhidaandhaka chhidam tam antaka chhidam bhaje
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी- रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥१०॥
Akharva sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjariRasa pravaaha maadhuri vijrimbhanaa madhu vratamSmaraantakam puraantakam bhavaantakam makhaantakamGajaantakaandhakaantakam tam antakaantakam bhaje
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिद्ध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल- ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥११॥
Jayatv adabhra vibhrama bhramad bhujangama shvasaDvinirgamat krama sphurat karaala bhaala havya vaatDhimid dhimid dhimid dhvanan mridanga tunga mangalaDhvani krama pravartita prachanda taandavah Shivah
Some versions sing 'dhimim dhimim dhimim dhvanan'.
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः। तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम्॥१२॥
Drishad vichitra talpayor bhujanga mauktika srajorGarishtha ratna loshthayoh suhrid vipaksha pakshayohTrinaaravinda chakshushoh prajaa mahee mahendrayohSama pravrittikah kadaa Sadaashivam bhajaamy aham
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥१३॥
Kadaa nilimpa nirjhari nikunja kotare vasanVimukta durmatih sadaa shirahstham anjalim vahanVilola lola lochano lalaama bhaala lagnakahShiveti mantram uchcharan kadaa sukhee bhavaamy aham
निलिम्पनाथनागरीकदम्बमौलमल्लिका- निगुम्फनिर्भरक्षरन्मधूष्णिकामनोहरः। तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनीमहर्निशं परश्रियः परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः॥१४॥
Nilimpa naatha naagari kadamba maula mallikaaNigumpha nirbhara ksharan madhooshnikaa manoharahTanotu no mano mudam vinodineem aharnishamParashriyah param padam tad angaja tvishaam chayah
प्रचण्डवाडवानलप्रभाशुभप्रचारणी महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनीजनावहूतजल्पना। विमुक्तवामलोचनाविवाहकालिकध्वनिः शिवेति मन्त्रभूषणा जगज्जयाय जायताम्॥१५॥
Prachanda vaadavaanala prabhaa shubha prachaaraniMahaashta siddhi kaamini janaavahoota jalpanaaVimukta vaama lochanaa vivaaha kaalika dhvanihShiveti mantra bhooshanaa jagaj jayaaya jaayataam
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम्॥१६॥
Imam hi nityam evam uktam uttamottamam stavamPathan smaran bruvan naro vishuddhim eti santatamHare gurau subhaktim aashu yaati naanyathaa gatimVimohanam hi dehinaam Sushankarasya chintanam
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः॥१७॥
Poojaavasaana samaye dasha vaktra geetamYah Shambhu poojana param pathati pradosheTasya sthiraam ratha gajendra turanga yuktaamLakshmeem sadaiva sumukheem prada daati Shambhuh
Some versions sing 'Lakshmeem prasaada samaye prada daati Shambhuh'.
Meaning, verse by verse
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥१॥
May Shiv bless us with goodness. Water streaming through the forest of His matted hair makes His neck holy, a long serpent garland hangs upon it, and He performs His fierce Tandav to the damaru's rolling beat.
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्द्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥२॥
May my love turn every moment towards Shiv, who wears the young crescent moon. The heavenly Ganga swirls through His matted hair in restless waves, while fire blazes across His forehead.
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर- स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥३॥
May my mind find joy in Shiv, who wears the directions as His garment. His heart delights in the play of Parvati, daughter of the mountain king, and the stream of His merciful glance holds back even unbearable distress.
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा- कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥४॥
May my mind delight in Shiv, the sustainer of living beings. The jewels on the raised hoods of the tawny serpents in His hair cast a saffron glow across the directions, and the hide of a mighty, rutting elephant covers Him.
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर- प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥५॥
May Shiv, who wears the moon, grant lasting well-being. Flower dust from the crowns of Indra and the other gods settles at His feet, and the king of serpents binds His piled hair.
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्। सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालि सम्पदे शिरो जटालमस्तु नः॥६॥
May the matted head of Shiv, the great bearer of the skull, bring us blessing. Sparks from His forehead fire consumed Kamadev with his five arrows, the gods bow before Him, and a slender ray of the nectar-shedding moon adorns His head.
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥७॥
My love rests in three-eyed Shiv, whose terrible forehead fire made the mighty, five-arrowed Kamadev an offering to its flames. He is also the loving artist who paints delicate leaf designs upon Parvati's breasts.
नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः॥८॥
May Shiv, who bears the burden of the world, grant us well-being. His neck is dark as midnight on a moonless night covered by fresh clouds, He carries the heavenly Ganga, wears an elephant hide, and shines with the moon.
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- ऽवलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे॥९॥
I worship Shiv, whose dark throat has the beauty of fully opened blue lotuses. He destroys Kamadev, the three cities, worldly bondage, the sacrifice, the elephant demon and Andhak, and He overcomes death itself.
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी- रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥१०॥
I worship Shiv, who delights like a bee in the flowing sweetness of Parvati's abundant auspicious beauty. He ends Kamadev, the three cities, worldly bondage, the sacrifice, the elephant demon and Andhak, and He is the end of death itself.
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिद्ध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल- ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥११॥
May Shiv be victorious in His fierce Tandav, set in motion by the lofty, auspicious rhythm of the mridang. The breath of the serpents whirling around Him fans the terrible fire upon His forehead.
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः। तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम्॥१२॥
I long to worship Sadashiv with an equal mind towards stone and a fine bed, a serpent garland and a pearl garland, a precious jewel and a lump of earth, friend and enemy, grass and a lotus-eyed beauty, ordinary people and a king.
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥१३॥
I long to live in a sheltered grove beside the heavenly Ganga, free from harmful thoughts and holding my joined hands above my head. With eyes moving in devotion and my attention fixed on Shiv's radiant forehead, I yearn to find joy in uttering His name.
निलिम्पनाथनागरीकदम्बमौलमल्लिका- निगुम्फनिर्भरक्षरन्मधूष्णिकामनोहरः। तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनीमहर्निशं परश्रियः परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः॥१४॥
May the gathered radiance of Shiv's body, the highest abode of divine splendour, give our minds delight day and night. It is lovely with the flowing sweetness of jasmine garlands woven into the hair of the women of the celestial king's city.
प्रचण्डवाडवानलप्रभाशुभप्रचारणी महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनीजनावहूतजल्पना। विमुक्तवामलोचनाविवाहकालिकध्वनिः शिवेति मन्त्रभूषणा जगज्जयाय जायताम्॥१५॥
May the auspicious utterance adorned with the mantra 'Shiv' triumph throughout the world. Its radiance is like a fierce ocean fire, the eight great powers, pictured as women, voice this praise, and beautiful-eyed women sing it at the wedding.
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम्॥१६॥
One who regularly reads, remembers and recites this excellent hymn becomes ever purer and soon gains sincere devotion to Shiv, the Guru, without turning elsewhere. Contemplation of gracious Shankar captivates the hearts of embodied beings.
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः॥१७॥
The hymn declares that Shambhu grants lasting, favourable prosperity, pictured with chariots, noble elephants and horses, to one who recites this song of the ten-headed Ravan at the close of worship during pradosh. This is its devotional praise of the fruit of recitation.
About this hymn
The Shiv Tandav Stotram belongs to Sanskrit stotra literature and is traditionally ascribed to Ravan. Its closing colophon names him as its composer, but this attribution does not establish a historical author or date. It is an independent hymn. It is not a passage from Maharshi Valmiki's Ramayana or Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. This seventeen-verse form follows the main Sanskrit Documents reading. The first fifteen verses praise Shiv, and the last two describe the fruits of recitation.
The story behind it
A later tradition identifies this hymn with the praise Ravan offered after trying to lift Mount Kailash. Maharshi Valmiki recounts the lifting of the mountain in Uttara Kanda, sarga 16, verses 25 to 35. Shiv presses it down with His toe, trapping Ravan's arms beneath it. Ravan bows and sings verses from the Samaveda and other hymns until Shiv releases him. Valmiki does not identify those praises as the Shiv Tandav Stotram. The Ramcharitmanas does acknowledge Ravan's worship of Shiv and Brahma in Lanka Kand, doha 20, chaupai 2. It also shows Shri Ram establishing and worshipping the Shivling at Rameshwaram: “लिंग थापि बिधिवत करि पूजा। सिव समान प्रिय मोहि न दूजा॥ ३ ॥” (Ramcharitmanas, Lanka Kand, doha 2, chaupai 3). Shri Ram declares that no one is dearer to Him than Shiv. These passages invite reverence for Shiv while directing us to examine the humility of our own worship.
What it teaches
The hymn moves from Shiv's fierce dance to the singer's wish for an equal mind. Verse 12 uses samapravrittikah, which means being equally disposed. The prayer asks for freedom from the habit of valuing people and things only by what they offer us.
Devotion needs humility in conduct. Ravan's devotion to Shiv did not save him from the consequences of his pride. We too can enjoy a sacred chant while resisting correction. For example, a person may practise a hymn carefully, then become irritated when someone at home points out a missed task. The words were remembered. The request was dismissed. Similarly, worship asks us to attend to the person before us with patience, even when praise or respect does not come our way.
Learning the pronunciation takes effort, and that effort deserves care. Let the meaning receive care too. After reciting one verse today, sit for a moment, remember Shiv and accept one reasonable correction without defending yourself.
Questions people ask
What does Shiv Tandav Stotram mean?
Shiv Tandav Stotram means a hymn praising Shiv's Tandav, His powerful divine dance. Its verses describe His form and ask for well-being, devotion, purity and an equal mind.
Who wrote Shiv Tandav Stotram?
Tradition attributes it to Ravan, and its closing colophon names him as the composer. This is a traditional attribution, not a historically established authorship or date.
When should Shiv Tandav Stotram be recited?
Verse 16 encourages regular reading, remembrance and recitation. Verse 17 mentions reading it at the end of Shiv worship during pradosh, the evening period around sunset. Begin at a pace that lets you attend to the words and their meaning.
What are the benefits of reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram?
The hymn praises purity and sincere devotion to Shiv as fruits of regular recitation and remembrance. Its final verse celebrates prosperity through Shambhu's grace. Read these as devotional expressions and pray with humility, without treating recitation as a guarantee of wealth or a particular result.
Is Shiv Tandav Stotram from the Ramayana, and why do verse counts differ?
It is an independent Sanskrit hymn, not a passage from Maharshi Valmiki's Ramayana or the Ramcharitmanas. Versions include or omit verses, so their verse counts and numbering differ.
Also written as: Shiv Tandav Stotram · Shiva Tandava Stotram · Shiv Tandav Stotra · Shiv Tandav lyrics · Ravan Shiv Tandav · शिव तांडव स्तोत्र · शिव ताण्डव स्तोत्रम् · शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्
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