The “Shiva Tandava Stotram” is a powerful hymn that praises Lord Shiva, particularly focusing on his cosmic dance known as the “Tandava.” This dance is not just a physical movement but a cosmic event representing the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe.
Background and Significance of Shiva Tandava Stotram
1. Authorship and Origin:
– The “Shiva Tandava Stotram” is traditionally attributed to Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, who is a devout worshiper of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana composed this stotram to appease Shiva and gain his favor.
– It is believed that Ravana, in his arrogance, once attempted to lift Mount Kailash, Shiva’s abode. To humble him, Shiva pressed down on the mountain with his toe, trapping Ravana beneath it. In his pain and desperation, Ravana composed and sang the “Shiva Tandava Stotram,” which moved Shiva to free him.
Ravana Performing Shiv Tandava
2. The Cosmic Dance – Tandava:
– Shiva’s Tandava is more than just a dance; it is a symbol of the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. It represents the continuous flow of energy in the universe.
– The dance is depicted as a vigorous, fierce, and powerful dance performed by Shiva in his Nataraja form. Nataraja, or “Lord of Dance,” is an iconic representation of Shiva where he is shown dancing within a ring of fire, symbolizing the cycle of life and death.
– The Tandava is often associated with the end of the world, as Shiva’s dance is said to destroy the universe so that it can be reborn.
3. Themes in the Stotram:
– The verses of the stotram vividly describe Shiva’s physical form, his adornments, and his actions during the dance.
– It speaks of Shiva’s matted hair, from which the Ganges flows, his garland of serpents, his blazing third eye, and the crescent moon on his forehead.
– The stotram also alludes to Shiva’s destructive and fearsome aspects, such as the fire on his forehead, which is said to have burned the god of love, Kamadeva, to ashes.
4. Symbolism and Worship:
– The “Shiva Tandava Stotram” is not just a hymn but also a meditation on the nature of life, the universe, and the divine. It acknowledges Shiva’s dual nature as both creator and destroyer.
– Devotees chant this stotram to invoke Shiva’s blessings, seeking his protection, strength, and grace. The rhythm and intensity of the verses reflect the dynamic energy of Shiva’s dance, making it a powerful tool for meditation and spiritual upliftment.
Lyrics with meaning
Sanskrit:
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥
English Translation:
With his matted hair flowing with the sacred waters of the Ganges,
And a garland of snakes adorning his neck,
He performs the fierce Tandava dance to the sounds of the drum;
May that Shiva, who is the source of all auspiciousness, bless us with prosperity.
Hindi Meaning:
जिनकी जटाओं से गंगा की पवित्र धारा बह रही है,
और जिनके गले में सर्पों की माला लटक रही है,
वे डमरू की आवाज़ पर चण्ड ताण्डव नृत्य करते हैं;
वह शिव, जो सभी मंगल के स्रोत हैं, हमें समृद्धि प्रदान करें।
—
Sanskrit:
जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी
विलोलवीचिवल्लरी विराजमानमूर्धनि।
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥
English Translation:
His matted hair is shaking as the celestial river flows through it,
Adorned with brilliant streams that shine on his forehead;
With the blazing fire on his forehead and the crescent moon,
May I find joy in every moment in Lord Shiva.
Hindi Meaning:
जिनकी जटाएं तीव्र गति से हिल रही हैं, और जिनसे दिव्य नदी बह रही है,
जिनका मस्तक प्रकाशित धाराओं से शोभित है;
उनके ललाट पर प्रज्वलित अग्नि और बाल चंद्रमा के साथ,
मैं हर क्षण शिव में आनंद प्राप्त करूं।
—
Sanskrit:
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनी विलासबन्धुबन्धुर-
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्तति प्रमोदमानमानसे।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणी निरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
क्वचिद्विगम्बरे मनोविनोदमेत्तु वस्तुनि॥
English Translation:
May my mind seek pleasure in Shiva, who wears the sky as his clothing,
The consort of Parvati, who is playful and lovely,
Whose mind is ever blissful, and who, with a mere glance,
Restrains the most terrible sins.
Hindi Meaning:
जिनका वस्त्र आकाश है, और जो पार्वती के प्रिय हैं,
जिनका मन सदैव आनंदित रहता है, और जिनकी कृपा दृष्टि मात्र से,
सबसे भयंकर पाप भी नष्ट हो जाते हैं,
मेरा मन उन शिव में आनंद प्राप्त करे।
—
Sanskrit:
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनोविनोददुत्तमं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥
English Translation:
With matted hair adorned with serpents whose hoods are shining with gems,
And whose faces are anointed with the paste of saffron and sandalwood,
Shiva, the sustainer of all beings, wears the skin of an intoxicated elephant;
May he grant us the most wondrous joy.
Hindi Meaning:
जिनकी जटाएं सर्पों से शोभित हैं, जिनके फण मणियों से प्रकाशित हो रहे हैं,
और जिनके मुख पर केसर और चंदन का लेप है;
जो मदमस्त हाथी की खाल को धारण करते हैं,
वह शिव हमें परम आनंद प्रदान करें।
—
Sanskrit:
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥
English Translation:
He who has the moon, the sun, and fire as his eyes,
Whose feet are worshipped by gods with the dust of their flowers,
Who adorns himself with the king of serpents on his matted hair,
May he grant us everlasting prosperity.
Hindi Meaning:
जिनकी आँखें चंद्रमा, सूर्य और अग्नि हैं,
जिनके चरण देवताओं द्वारा फूलों की धूल से पूजित हैं,
जो अपनी जटाओं में सर्पराज की माला धारण करते हैं,
वह हमें शाश्वत समृद्धि प्रदान करें।
—
Sanskrit:
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा-
निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः॥
English Translation:
The flames on Shiva’s forehead radiate sparks like the sun,
Consuming the god of love, bowing to the lord of the heavens;
With the crescent moon adorning his brow,
May I worship that Shiva who brings great fortune.
Hindi Meaning:
शिव के ललाट की अग्नि सूर्य की तरह चमकती है,
जिन्होंने कामदेव को भस्म कर दिया और जिनके मस्तक पर चंद्रमा सुशोभित है;
मैं उन शिव की पूजा करता हूँ, जो महान संपदा प्रदान करते हैं।
—
These verses from the
“Shiva Tandava Stotram” praise the power, beauty, and divine nature
of Lord Shiva. Each verse captures the essence of his cosmic dance and his role
as the destroyer and protector in the universe. 🙏
