Shiva Tandava Stotra
source of English translation
॥ श्रीगणेशाय नमः॥ || śrī gaṇeśāya namaḥ ||
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्ड्ताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥ १॥
jaṭāṭavīgalajjalapravāhapāvitasthale
gale'valambya lambitāṁ bhujaṅgatuṅgamālikām | ḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamanninādavaḍḍamarvayaṁ
cakāra caṇḍtāṇḍavaṁ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1||
That Śiva, Who having held a long-garland of the best-snake (cobra) at the neck which is purified by the flow of trickling water-drops in the forest-like twisted hair-locks, Who danced the fierce Tāṇḍava-dance to the music of a sounding-drum, — May that Śiva extend my bliss.[1]
जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- -विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्शणं मम॥ २॥ jaṭākaṭāhasaṁbhramabhramannilimpanirjharī- -vilolavīcivallarīvirājamānamūrdhani | dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalāṭapaṭṭapāvake kiśoracandraśekhare ratiḥ pratikśaṇaṁ mama || 2||
At every moment, may I find pleasure in Śiva, Whose head is situated in between the creeper-like unsteady waves of Nilimpanirjharī (Gańgā) which is roaming unsteadily in the frying-pan like twisted hair-locks, Who has crackling and blazing fire at the surface of forehead, and Who has a crescent-moon (young moon) at the forehead.[2]
धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्शधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरेक्वचिच्चिदंबरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥ ३॥ dharādharendranaṁdinīvilāsabandhubandhura sphuraddigantasantatipramodamānamānase | kṛpākaṭākśadhoraṇīniruddhadurdharāpadi kvaciddigambare(kvaciccidaṁbare) mano vinodametu vastuni || 3||
May my mind seeks happiness in Śiva, Whose mind has the shining universe and all the living-beings inside, Who is the charming sportive-friend of the daughter of the mountain-king of the Earth (i.e. Himālaya), Whose uninterrupted series of merciful-glances conceals immense-troubles, and Who has direction as His clothes.[3]
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥ ४॥ jaṭābhujaṅgapiṅgalasphuratphaṇāmaṇiprabhā kadambakuṅkumadravapraliptadigvadhūmukhe | madāndhasindhurasphurattvaguttarīyamedure mano vinodamadbhutaṁ bibhartu bhūtabhartari || 4||
May my mind hold in Śiva, by Whom — with the light from the jewels of the shining-hoods of creeper-like yellow-snakes — the face of Dikkanyās’ are smeared with Kadamba-juice like red Kuńkuma, Who looks dense due to the glittering skin-garment of an intoxicated elephant, and Who is the Lord of the ghosts.[4]
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥ ५॥ sahasralocanaprabhṛtyaśeṣalekhaśekhara prasūnadhūlidhoraṇī vidhūsarāṅghripīṭhabhūḥ | bhujaṅgarājamālayā nibaddhajāṭajūṭaka śriyai cirāya jāyatāṁ cakorabandhuśekharaḥ || 5||
For a long time, may Śiva — Whose foot-basement is grey due to the series of pollen dust from flowers at the head of Indra (Sahasralocana) and all other demi-gods, Whose matted hairlocks are tied by a garland of the king of snakes, and Who has a head-jewel of the friend of cakora bird — produce prosperity.[5]
May we acquire the possession of tress-locks of Śiva, Which absorbed the five-arrows (of Kāmadeva) in the sparks of the blazing fire stored in the rectangular-forehead, Which are being bowed by the leader of supernatural-beings, Which have an enticing-forehead with a beautiful streak of crescent-moon.[6]
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- -प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥। ७॥ karālabhālapaṭṭikādhagaddhagaddhagajjvala- ddhanañjayāhutīkṛtapracaṇḍapañcasāyake | dharādharendranandinīkucāgracitrapatraka- -prakalpanaikaśilpini trilocane ratirmama ||| 7||
May I find pleasure in Trilocana, Who offered the five great-arrows (of Kāmadeva) to the blazing and chattering fire of the plate-like forehead, and Who is the sole-artist placing variegated artistic lines on the breasts of the daughter of Himālaya (Pārvatī).[7]
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः॥ ८॥ navīnameghamaṇḍalī niruddhadurdharasphurat- kuhūniśīthinītamaḥ prabandhabaddhakandharaḥ | nilimpanirjharīdharastanotu kṛttisindhuraḥ kalānidhānabandhuraḥ śriyaṁ jagaddhuraṁdharaḥ || 8||
May Śiva — Whose cord-tied neck is dark like a night with shining-moon obstructed by a group of harsh and new clouds, Who holds the River Gańgā, Whose cloth is made of elephant-skin, Who has a curved and crescent moon placed at the forehead, and Who bears the universe — expand [my] wealth.[8]
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- -वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदांधकछिदं तमंतकच्छिदं भजे॥ ९॥ praphullanīlapaṅkajaprapañcakālimaprabhā- -valambikaṇṭhakandalīruciprabaddhakandharam | smaracchidaṁ puracchidaṁ bhavacchidaṁ makhacchidaṁ gajacchidāṁdhakachidaṁ tamaṁtakacchidaṁ bhaje || 9||
I adore Śiva, Who supports the dark glow of blooming blue lotus series at around the girdle of His neck, Who cuts-off Smara (Kāmadeva), Who cuts-off Pura, Who cuts-off the mundane existence, Who cuts-off the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who cuts-off the demon Gaja, Who cuts-off Andhaka, and Who cuts-off Yama (death).[9]
अखर्वअगर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदंबमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृंभणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥ १०॥ akharva(agarva)sarvamaṅgalākalākadaṁbamañjarī rasapravāhamādhurī vijṛṁbhaṇāmadhuvratam | smarāntakaṁ purāntakaṁ bhavāntakaṁ makhāntakaṁ gajāntakāndhakāntakaṁ tamantakāntakaṁ bhaje || 10||
I adore Śiva, Who only eats the sweet-flow of nectar from the beautiful flowers of Kadamba-trees which are the abode of all important auspicious qualities, Who destroys Smara (Kāmadeva), Who destroys Pura, Who destroys the mundane existence, Who destroys the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who destroys the demon Gaja, Who destroys Andhaka, and Who destroys Yama (death).[10]
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- -द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥ ११॥ jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujaṅgamaśvasa- -dvinirgamatkramasphuratkarālabhālahavyavāṭ | dhimiddhimiddhimidhvananmṛdaṅgatuṅgamaṅgala dhvanikramapravartita pracaṇḍatāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ || 11||
May Śiva, Whose dreadful forehead has oblations of plentiful, turbulent and wandering snake-hisses — first coming out and then sparking, Whose fierce tāṇḍava-dance is set in motion by the sound-series of the auspicious and best-drum (ḍamaru) — which is sounding with ‘dhimit-dhimit’ sounds, be victorious.[11]
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- -गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्शपक्शयोः। तृष्णारविन्दचक्शुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृतिकः समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥ १२॥ dṛṣadvicitratalpayorbhujaṅgamauktikasrajor- -gariṣṭharatnaloṣṭhayoḥ suhṛdvipakśapakśayoḥ | tṛṣṇāravindacakśuṣoḥ prajāmahīmahendrayoḥ samapravṛtikaḥ (samaṁ pravartayanmanaḥ) kadā sadāśivaṁ bhaje || 12||
When will I adore Sadāśiva with an equal vision towards varied ways of the world, a snake or a pearl-garland, royal-gems or a lump of dirt, friend or enemy sides, a grass-eyed or a lotus-eyed person, and common men or the king.[12]
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥ १३॥ kadā nilimpanirjharīnikuñjakoṭare vasan vimuktadurmatiḥ sadā śiraḥ sthamañjaliṁ vahan | vimuktalolalocano lalāmabhālalagnakaḥ śiveti maṁtramuccaran kadā sukhī bhavāmyaham || 13||
Living in the hollow of a tree in the thickets of River Gańgā, always free from ill-thinking, bearing añjali at the forehead, free from lustful eyes, and forehead and head bonded, when will I become content while reciting the mantra ‘‘Śiva?’’[13]
इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम्॥ १४॥ idam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamaṁ stavaṁ paṭhansmaranbruvannaro viśuddhimetisaṁtatam | hare gurau subhaktimāśu yāti nānyathā gatiṁ vimohanaṁ hi dehināṁ suśaṅkarasya ciṁtanam || 14||
Reading, remembering, and reciting this eternal, having spoken thus, and the best among best eulogy indeed incessantly leads to purity. In preceptor Hara (Śiva) immediately the state of complete devotion is achieved; no other option is there. Just the thought of Śiva (Śańkara) is enough for the people.[14]
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शंभुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्श्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शंभुः॥ १५॥ pūjāvasānasamaye daśavaktragītaṁ yaḥ śaṁbhupūjanaparaṁ paṭhati pradoṣe | tasya sthirāṁ rathagajendraturaṅgayuktāṁ lakśmīṁ sadaiva sumukhiṁ pradadāti śaṁbhuḥ || 15||
At the time of prayer-completion, that who reads this song by Daśavaktra (Rāvaṇa) after the prayer of Śambhu — Śambhu gives him stable wealth including chariots, elephants and horses, and beautiful face.[15]
॥ इति श्रीरावणविरचितं शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रं संपूर्णम्॥ || iti śrīrāvaṇaviracitaṁ śivatāṇḍavastotraṁ saṁpūrṇam||
Thus ends the Siva-Tandava Stotra written by Ravana. |
source of English translation
॥ श्रीगणेशाय नमः॥ || śrī gaṇeśāya namaḥ ||
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्ड्ताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥ १॥
jaṭāṭavīgalajjalapravāhapāvitasthale
gale'valambya lambitāṁ bhujaṅgatuṅgamālikām | ḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamanninādavaḍḍamarvayaṁ
cakāra caṇḍtāṇḍavaṁ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1||
That Śiva, Who having held a long-garland of the best-snake (cobra) at the neck which is purified by the flow of trickling water-drops in the forest-like twisted hair-locks, Who danced the fierce Tāṇḍava-dance to the music of a sounding-drum, — May that Śiva extend my bliss.[1]
जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- -विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्शणं मम॥ २॥ jaṭākaṭāhasaṁbhramabhramannilimpanirjharī- -vilolavīcivallarīvirājamānamūrdhani | dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalāṭapaṭṭapāvake kiśoracandraśekhare ratiḥ pratikśaṇaṁ mama || 2||
At every moment, may I find pleasure in Śiva, Whose head is situated in between the creeper-like unsteady waves of Nilimpanirjharī (Gańgā) which is roaming unsteadily in the frying-pan like twisted hair-locks, Who has crackling and blazing fire at the surface of forehead, and Who has a crescent-moon (young moon) at the forehead.[2]
धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्शधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरेक्वचिच्चिदंबरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥ ३॥ dharādharendranaṁdinīvilāsabandhubandhura sphuraddigantasantatipramodamānamānase | kṛpākaṭākśadhoraṇīniruddhadurdharāpadi kvaciddigambare(kvaciccidaṁbare) mano vinodametu vastuni || 3||
May my mind seeks happiness in Śiva, Whose mind has the shining universe and all the living-beings inside, Who is the charming sportive-friend of the daughter of the mountain-king of the Earth (i.e. Himālaya), Whose uninterrupted series of merciful-glances conceals immense-troubles, and Who has direction as His clothes.[3]
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥ ४॥ jaṭābhujaṅgapiṅgalasphuratphaṇāmaṇiprabhā kadambakuṅkumadravapraliptadigvadhūmukhe | madāndhasindhurasphurattvaguttarīyamedure mano vinodamadbhutaṁ bibhartu bhūtabhartari || 4||
May my mind hold in Śiva, by Whom — with the light from the jewels of the shining-hoods of creeper-like yellow-snakes — the face of Dikkanyās’ are smeared with Kadamba-juice like red Kuńkuma, Who looks dense due to the glittering skin-garment of an intoxicated elephant, and Who is the Lord of the ghosts.[4]
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥ ५॥ sahasralocanaprabhṛtyaśeṣalekhaśekhara prasūnadhūlidhoraṇī vidhūsarāṅghripīṭhabhūḥ | bhujaṅgarājamālayā nibaddhajāṭajūṭaka śriyai cirāya jāyatāṁ cakorabandhuśekharaḥ || 5||
For a long time, may Śiva — Whose foot-basement is grey due to the series of pollen dust from flowers at the head of Indra (Sahasralocana) and all other demi-gods, Whose matted hairlocks are tied by a garland of the king of snakes, and Who has a head-jewel of the friend of cakora bird — produce prosperity.[5]
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- -निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्। सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥ ६॥ lalāṭacatvarajvaladdhanañjayasphuliṅgabhā- -nipītapañcasāyakaṁ namannilimpanāyakam | sudhāmayūkhalekhayā virājamānaśekharaṁ mahākapālisampadeśirojaṭālamastu naḥ || 6||
May we acquire the possession of tress-locks of Śiva, Which absorbed the five-arrows (of Kāmadeva) in the sparks of the blazing fire stored in the rectangular-forehead, Which are being bowed by the leader of supernatural-beings, Which have an enticing-forehead with a beautiful streak of crescent-moon.[6]
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- -प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥। ७॥ karālabhālapaṭṭikādhagaddhagaddhagajjvala- ddhanañjayāhutīkṛtapracaṇḍapañcasāyake | dharādharendranandinīkucāgracitrapatraka- -prakalpanaikaśilpini trilocane ratirmama ||| 7||
May I find pleasure in Trilocana, Who offered the five great-arrows (of Kāmadeva) to the blazing and chattering fire of the plate-like forehead, and Who is the sole-artist placing variegated artistic lines on the breasts of the daughter of Himālaya (Pārvatī).[7]
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः॥ ८॥ navīnameghamaṇḍalī niruddhadurdharasphurat- kuhūniśīthinītamaḥ prabandhabaddhakandharaḥ | nilimpanirjharīdharastanotu kṛttisindhuraḥ kalānidhānabandhuraḥ śriyaṁ jagaddhuraṁdharaḥ || 8||
May Śiva — Whose cord-tied neck is dark like a night with shining-moon obstructed by a group of harsh and new clouds, Who holds the River Gańgā, Whose cloth is made of elephant-skin, Who has a curved and crescent moon placed at the forehead, and Who bears the universe — expand [my] wealth.[8]
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- -वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदांधकछिदं तमंतकच्छिदं भजे॥ ९॥ praphullanīlapaṅkajaprapañcakālimaprabhā- -valambikaṇṭhakandalīruciprabaddhakandharam | smaracchidaṁ puracchidaṁ bhavacchidaṁ makhacchidaṁ gajacchidāṁdhakachidaṁ tamaṁtakacchidaṁ bhaje || 9||
I adore Śiva, Who supports the dark glow of blooming blue lotus series at around the girdle of His neck, Who cuts-off Smara (Kāmadeva), Who cuts-off Pura, Who cuts-off the mundane existence, Who cuts-off the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who cuts-off the demon Gaja, Who cuts-off Andhaka, and Who cuts-off Yama (death).[9]
अखर्वअगर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदंबमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृंभणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥ १०॥ akharva(agarva)sarvamaṅgalākalākadaṁbamañjarī rasapravāhamādhurī vijṛṁbhaṇāmadhuvratam | smarāntakaṁ purāntakaṁ bhavāntakaṁ makhāntakaṁ gajāntakāndhakāntakaṁ tamantakāntakaṁ bhaje || 10||
I adore Śiva, Who only eats the sweet-flow of nectar from the beautiful flowers of Kadamba-trees which are the abode of all important auspicious qualities, Who destroys Smara (Kāmadeva), Who destroys Pura, Who destroys the mundane existence, Who destroys the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who destroys the demon Gaja, Who destroys Andhaka, and Who destroys Yama (death).[10]
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस- -द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥ ११॥ jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujaṅgamaśvasa- -dvinirgamatkramasphuratkarālabhālahavyavāṭ | dhimiddhimiddhimidhvananmṛdaṅgatuṅgamaṅgala dhvanikramapravartita pracaṇḍatāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ || 11||
May Śiva, Whose dreadful forehead has oblations of plentiful, turbulent and wandering snake-hisses — first coming out and then sparking, Whose fierce tāṇḍava-dance is set in motion by the sound-series of the auspicious and best-drum (ḍamaru) — which is sounding with ‘dhimit-dhimit’ sounds, be victorious.[11]
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- -गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्शपक्शयोः। तृष्णारविन्दचक्शुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृतिकः समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥ १२॥ dṛṣadvicitratalpayorbhujaṅgamauktikasrajor- -gariṣṭharatnaloṣṭhayoḥ suhṛdvipakśapakśayoḥ | tṛṣṇāravindacakśuṣoḥ prajāmahīmahendrayoḥ samapravṛtikaḥ (samaṁ pravartayanmanaḥ) kadā sadāśivaṁ bhaje || 12||
When will I adore Sadāśiva with an equal vision towards varied ways of the world, a snake or a pearl-garland, royal-gems or a lump of dirt, friend or enemy sides, a grass-eyed or a lotus-eyed person, and common men or the king.[12]
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥ १३॥ kadā nilimpanirjharīnikuñjakoṭare vasan vimuktadurmatiḥ sadā śiraḥ sthamañjaliṁ vahan | vimuktalolalocano lalāmabhālalagnakaḥ śiveti maṁtramuccaran kadā sukhī bhavāmyaham || 13||
Living in the hollow of a tree in the thickets of River Gańgā, always free from ill-thinking, bearing añjali at the forehead, free from lustful eyes, and forehead and head bonded, when will I become content while reciting the mantra ‘‘Śiva?’’[13]
इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम्॥ १४॥ idam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamaṁ stavaṁ paṭhansmaranbruvannaro viśuddhimetisaṁtatam | hare gurau subhaktimāśu yāti nānyathā gatiṁ vimohanaṁ hi dehināṁ suśaṅkarasya ciṁtanam || 14||
Reading, remembering, and reciting this eternal, having spoken thus, and the best among best eulogy indeed incessantly leads to purity. In preceptor Hara (Śiva) immediately the state of complete devotion is achieved; no other option is there. Just the thought of Śiva (Śańkara) is enough for the people.[14]
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शंभुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्श्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शंभुः॥ १५॥ pūjāvasānasamaye daśavaktragītaṁ yaḥ śaṁbhupūjanaparaṁ paṭhati pradoṣe | tasya sthirāṁ rathagajendraturaṅgayuktāṁ lakśmīṁ sadaiva sumukhiṁ pradadāti śaṁbhuḥ || 15||
At the time of prayer-completion, that who reads this song by Daśavaktra (Rāvaṇa) after the prayer of Śambhu — Śambhu gives him stable wealth including chariots, elephants and horses, and beautiful face.[15]
॥ इति श्रीरावणविरचितं शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रं संपूर्णम्॥ || iti śrīrāvaṇaviracitaṁ śivatāṇḍavastotraṁ saṁpūrṇam||
Thus ends the Siva-Tandava Stotra written by Ravana. |
||सार्थशिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम् ||
||श्रीगणेशाय नमः ||
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
matted hair-thick as forest-water-flow-consecrated-area
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् |
in the throat-stuck-hanging-snake-lofty-garland
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
damat-damat-damat-damat-having sound-drum-this
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ||१||
did-fierce-Tandava-may he shower-on us-Shiva-auspiciousness
With his neck, consecrated by the flow of water flowing from the
thick forest-like locks of hair, and on the neck, where the lofty snake
is hanging garland, and the Damaru drum making the sound of
Damat Damat Damat Damat, Lord Shiva did the auspicious dance of
Tandava and may He shower prosperity on us all.
जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी-
matted hair-a well-agitation-moving-celestial river
- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि |
agitating-waves-rows-glorified-head
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
Dhagat dhagat dhagat-flaming-forehead-flat area-fire
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ||२||
baby-moon-crest jewel-love-every moment-for me
I have a very deep interest in Lord Shiva, whose head is glorified by
the rows of moving waves of the celestial river Ganga, agitating in
the deep well of his hair-locks, and who has the brilliant fire flaming
on the surface of his forehead, and who has the crescent moon as a
jewel on his head.
धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर
King of mountains-daughter-sportive-kith-beautiful-
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे |
glorious-horizon-all living beings-rejoicing-mind
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
compassion-look-continuous flow-obstructed-hardships
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे( क्वचिच्चिदंबरे) मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ||३||
some time-in the omnipresent-mind-pleasure-may seek-in a thing
May my mind seek happiness in the Lord Shiva, in whose mind all the
living beings of the glorious universe exist, who is the sportive
companion of Parvati (daughter of the mountain king), who controls
invincible hardships with the flow of his compassionate look, who is
all-persuasive (the directions are his clothes).
लताभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा
creeping-snake-reddish brown-shining-hood-gem-luster-
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे |
variegated-red dye-melting-applied-directions-beloved-face
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
intoxicated-elephant-glittering-skin-upper garment-covered
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ||४||
mind-pleasure-wonderful-may it seek-in him who supports all life
May I seek wonderful pleasure in Lord Shiva, who is supporter
of all life, who with his creeping snake with reddish brown hood and
with the luster of his gem on it spreading out variegated colors on the
beautiful faces of the maidens of directions, who is covered with a
glittering upper garment made of the skin of a huge intoxicated
elephant.
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर
Indra/Vishnu-and others-all-lined up-heads-
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः |
flower-dust-force-grayed-feet-seat
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक
snake-red-garland (with) tied-locked hair
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ||५||
for the prosperity-for a long time-may he be-Cakora bird-relative-on head
May Lord Shiva give us prosperity, who has the moon (relative of the
Cakora bird) as his head-jewel, whose hair is tied by the red snake-
garland, whose foot-stool is grayed by the flow of dust from the
flowers from the rows of heads of all the Gods, Indra/Vishnu and others.
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा-
forehead-flat area-flaming-fire-sparks-luster
- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् |
devoured-God of Love-bowing-Gods-leader
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
cool-rayed-crescent-beautiful-head
महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ||६||
for the Siddhi-prosperity-head-locked hair-may it be-to us
May we get the wealth of Siddhis from Shiva's locks of hair, which
devoured the God of Love with the sparks of the fire flaming in His
forehead, who is bowed by all the celestial leaders, who is beautiful
with a crescent moon
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल-
dreadful-forehead-flat area-dhagat-dhagat-flaming
द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके |
fire-offered-powerful-God of Love
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक-
king of mountains-daughter-breast-tip-colorful-decorative lines
- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम |||७||
drawing-sole-artist - in the three-eyed -deep interest-mine
My interest is in Lord Shiva, who has three eyes, who has offered the
powerful God of Love into the fire, flaming Dhagad Dhagad on the
flat surface of his forehead who is the sole expert artist of drawing
decorative lines on the tips of breasts of Parvati, the daughter of
the mountain king.
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्-
new-cloud-circle - obstructed-harsh-striking-
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः |
new moon-midnight-darkness-tightly-tied-neck
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
celestial-river-wearing-may he bless-skin-red
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ||८||
moon-lovely-prosperity-universe-bearer of the burden
May Lord Shiva give us prosperity, who bears the burden of this
universe, who is lovely with the moon, who is red wearing the skin,
who has the celestial river Ganga, whose neck is dark as midnight
of new moon night covered by many layers of clouds.
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा-
well-opened-blue-lotus-universe-darkness-luster
- वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् |
hanging-inside-temple-luster-tied-neck
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
Manmatha-killer-city-destroyer-mundane life -destroyer-sacrifice destroyer
गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमंतकच्छिदं भजे ||९||
elephant-killer-demon-killer-him-destroyer of Lord Yama-I worship
I pray to Lord Shiva, whose neck is tied with the luster of the temples
hanging on the neck with the glory of the fully-bloomed blue lotuses
which looked like the blackness (sins) of the universe, who is the
killer of Manmatha, who destroyed Tripuras, who destroyed the
bonds of worldly life, who destroyed the sacrifice, who destroyed the
demon Andhaka, the destroyer of the elephants, and who controlled
the God of death, Yama.
अखर्व( अगर्व) सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदंबमञ्जरी
great-all-auspicious-art-variegated-bunch-
रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृंभणामधुव्रतम् |
enjoyment-flow-sweetness-flaring up-bees
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
Manmatha-destroyer-city-destroyer-worldly bond-destroyer -sacrifice-destroyer
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ||१०||
elephant-killer-Andhaka-demon-killer-him-Yama-controller-I worship
I pray to Lord Shiva, who has bees flying all over because of the sweet
honey from the beautiful bunch of auspicious Kadamba flowers, who
is the killer of Manmatha, who destroyed Tripuras, who destroyed the
bonds of worldly life, who destroyed the sacrifice, who destroyed the
demon Andhaka, the killer of the elephants, and who controlled the
God of death, Yama.
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस-
victorious-foot-sky-whirling-roaming-snake-breath-
- द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् |
coming out-shaking-evident-dreadful-forehead-fire
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल
Dhimid-dhimid-dhimid-sounding-drum-high-auspicious-
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ||११||
sound-series-caused-fierce-Tandava dance-Shiva
Lord Shiva, whose dance of Tandava is in tune with the series of loud
sounds of drum making Dhimid Dhimid sounds, who has the fire
on the great forehead, the fire that is spreading out because of the
breath of the snake wandering in whirling motion in the glorious sky.
स्पृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्-
touching-varied-ways-snake-embodied-garland
- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः |
most precious-gems-brilliance-friends-enemies-two wings
तृष्णारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
grass-lotus-eyes people and the great emperor
समप्रवृत्तिकः ( समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः) कदा सदाशिवं भजे ||१२||
equal-behaviour-always-Lord Shiva-worship-I
When will I worship Lord Sadasiva (eternally auspicious) God, with
equal vision towards the people and an emperor, and a blade of grass
and lotus-like eye, towards both friends and enemies, towards the
valuable gem and some lump of dirt, towards a snake and a garland
and towards varied ways of the world
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्
when-celestial river-bush-hollow place(in)-living
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् |
released-bad mind-always-on the head-folded hands-
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
agitation-shaking-eyes-the best-forehead-interested
शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ||१३||
"Shiva" -mantra-uttering-when-happy-will-be-I
When will I be happy, living in the hollow place near the celestial
river, Ganga, carrying the folded hands on my head all the time, with
my bad thinking washed away, and uttering the mantra of Lord Shiva
and devoted in the God with glorious forehead with vibrating eyes.
इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं
This-indeed-daily-thus-said-the best of the best-stotra
पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् |
reading-remembering-saying-a person-sanctity-gets-always
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
in Shiva-in Guru-deep devotion-quickly-gets-no-other-way
विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ||१४||
removal of delusion-indeed-for the people-blessed Shiva's thought
Whoever reads, remembers and says this best stotra as it is said here,
gets purified for ever, and obtains devotion in the great Guru Shiva.
For this devotion, there is no other way. Just the mere thought of
Lord Shiva indeed removes the delusion.
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं
worship-end-time-Ravana-sung
यः शंभुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे |
who-Shiva-worship-dedicated-reads-early in the evening, after sunset
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
to him-stable-chariot-elephant-horse-having
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शंभुः ||१५||
Lakshmi-always-definitely-favourable-gives-Shiva
In the evening, after sunset, at the end of Puja, whoever utters this
stotra dedicated to the worship of Shiva, Lord Shiva blessed him with very
stable Lakshmi (prosperity) with all the richness of chariots, elephants
and horses.
इति श्रीरावण- कृतम्
thus sri-Ravana-done
शिव- ताण्डव- स्तोत्रम्
Shiva-tandava-stotra
सम्पूर्णम्
ends.
Thus ends the Shiva-Tandava Stotra written by Ravana.
The word-meanings and translation have been kindly provided by
Dr. Sarasvati Mohan (samskrt@aol.com) and her students at Samskrit
Academy, San Jose CA, USA. She teaches samskrit in the Bay area.
The typing of these was done by SArada kALiSeTTy
(skaliset@pcocd2.intel.com).
