Shiva Tandava Stotram: The Hymn by Ravana That Invokes Shiva’s Divine Grace

Shiva Tandava Stotram is far more than a religious recital-it is an intense manifestation of devotion where cosmic energy flows in poetic form. Composed by the legendary Lankapati Ravana-not merely an asura but an ardent devotee, a master astrologer and a learned scholar of the Vedas-this stotram stands as a symbol of his deep devotion towards Shiva. Written in a moment of intense pain to please Shiva himself, this hymn is not just a poetic tribute but a mantra that fills the practitioner’s life with spiritual vigor, strength and divine energy.

The Origin of Shiva Tandava Stotram: When Pride Was Transformed into Devotion

According to the Uttarakanda of Valmiki Ramayana, as Ravana was returning to Lanka in his Pushpaka Vimana, his path was blocked above Mount Kailash. Nandi declared it to be Shiva’s abode and no stranger could cross over it. Taking this as an affront, Ravana tried to lift the mountain. With a single gesture, Shiva pinned Ravana’s hand under it. In unbearable pain, Ravana began to sing hymns in praise of Shiva-the verses that later became famous as Shiva Tandava Stotram. It is said that he turned his nerves into a veena and sang so powerfully that Shiva not only forgave him but was pleased by his devotion.

Shiva Tandava Stotram - Original Verses, Roman Transliteration and Meaning

Verse 1

Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale
Gale valambya lambitam bhujanga tungamalikam
Damaddamaddamaddaman ninadavad damarvayam
Chakara chanda tandavam tanotu nah Shivah shivam

Meaning

Where the sacred waters of the Ganga fall from tangled locks, purifying all in their path; Where a resplendent garland of lofty serpents swings upon his neck; As the fierce damaru resounds with a tumultuous rhythm, Shiva performs the powerful Tandava-may he grant us auspiciousness.

Verse 2

Jatakatahasambhramabhraman nilimpa-nirjhari
Vilolavichivalari virajamanamurdhani
Dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalal lalatapatta pavake
Kishorachandra shekare ratih pratikshanam mama

Meaning

On the crown of those matted locks, celestial rivers whirl in waves,

Dancing elegantly atop his head;

On his forehead, a fierce fire blazes,

While a crescent moon rests beside-may my devotion be ever captivated by him.

Verse 3

Dharadharendra nandini vilasabandhubandhura
Sphuraddiganta santati pramodamanamanase
Krupakataksha dhorani niruddha durdharapadi
Kvachiddigambare mano vinodametu vastuni

Meaning

Companion to Parvati, daughter of the mountains, the delight in infinite directions, By a glance of compassion alone, all troubles dissolve- Sometimes robed only in the sky, may my mind take joy in the presence of such a one.

Verse 4

Jata bhujanga pingala sphurat phana mani prabha
Kadamba kunkuma drava pralipta digvadhumukhe
Madan dahin dhuras sphurat tvag uttariya medure
Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari

Meaning

The yellowish snake that shines with its gem-adorned hood gleams among his locks, The faces of the quarters adorned with pollen and vermilion; Clad in the hide of an intoxicated elephant, may the Lord of beings always fill my heart with awe.

Verse 5

Sahasralochana prabhritya sheshalekhashekhara
Prasunadhulidhoraṇi vidhusaranghripithabhuh
Bhujanga raja malasya nibaddhajata jutaka
Shriyai chiraya jayatam chakorabandhushekhara

Meaning

Indra and other gods scatter flowers that cover his feet, whose head bears the crescent, adorned with snake-garlands-may he ever bring us prosperity.

Verse 6

Lalāṭa-chatvara-jvalad-dhanañjaya-sphuliṅga-bhā,
Nipīta-pañcha-sāyakaṁ naman-nilimpa-nāyakam।
Sudhā-mayūkha-lekhayā virājamāna-śekharaṁ,
Mahākapāli-sampade śiro-jaṭālam-astu naḥ॥

Meaning

May the matted locks of Lord Shiva, blazing with sparks like the radiant flames from his forehead’s fire, ever bless us. He has devoured Kamadeva’s five arrows (desires) and is bowed to even by the celestial beings (devas). His crest is adorned with a soothing moonbeam and he is the great bearer of skulls-Mahakapali-may his sacred matted hair be our shelter.

Verse 7

Karāla-bhāla-paṭṭikā-dhagad-dhagad-dhagad-jvalā,
Dhanañjayāhuti-kṛta-prachaṇḍa-pañcha-sāyake।
Dharādharendra-nandinī-kucāgra-citra-patraka,
Prakalpanaika-śilpini trilochane ratir mama॥

Meaning

Let my heart delight in Lord Shiva, the three-eyed one, whose terrifying forehead blazes with fierce flames, who offered Kamadeva as an oblation to the fire, and who paints exquisite designs on the breast of Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayan king.

Verse 8

Navīna-megha-maṇḍalī-niruddha-durdhara-sphurat,
Kuhū-niśīthi-nītamaḥ-prabandha-baddha-kaṇḍharaḥ।
Nilimpa-nirjharī-dharaḥ stanotu kṛtti-sindhuraḥ,
Kalā-nidhāna-bandhuraḥ śriyaṁ jagad-dhuraṁdharaḥ॥

Meaning

May Lord Shiva, whose neck is enveloped in the dense aura of fresh clouds, who dispels even the darkness of new moon nights, who is bathed by the celestial river Ganga, clothed in elephant hide, glowing as the essence of all arts and the burden-bearer of the universe, bestow divine prosperity upon us.

Prafulla nilapankaja prapanchakalimaprabha
Valambikanthakandali ruchiprabaddhakandharam
Smaracchidam puracchidam bhavacchidam makhacchidam
Gajacchidam dhakacchidam tamantakacchidam bhaje

Meaning

His neck shines blue as a blooming lotus; he wears a garland like a creeper on his neck, he is the destroyer of Kamadeva (desire), Tripura, worldly bondage, sacrificial pride, Gajasura andhaka and even death itself.

Verse 10

Akharva-sarva-maṅgalā-kalā-kadamba-mañjarī,
Rasa-pravāha-mādhurī-vijṛmbhaṇa-madhuvratam।
Smarāntakaṁ purāntakaṁ bhavāntakaṁ makhāntakaṁ,
Gajāntakāndhakāntakaṁ tamantakāntakaṁ bhaje॥

Meaning

I worship Lord Shiva who is the destroyer of desires (Kamadeva), Tripura (three cities), the worldly cycle (Bhava), sacrificial pride, Gajasura andhak and even Death itself. He is pure, auspiciousness itself, the blossoming of divine grace and the sweetness of overflowing essence, attracting bees of brilliance and joy.

Verse 12

Spṛśad-vichitra-talpayor-bhujaṅga-mauktika-srajor,
Gariṣṭha-ratna-loṣṭhayoḥ suhṛd-vipakṣapakṣayoḥ।
Tṛṣṇāravinda-chakṣuṣoḥ prajāmahī-mahendrayoḥ,
Samapravṛttikaḥ kadā sadāśivaṁ bhaje॥

Meaning

When will I worship Sadashiva, who sees no difference between luxurious beds decorated with pearl-jewelled garlands of snakes and plain stones; who regards friend and enemy alike; who looks upon a lotus-eyed common man and a sovereign king with the same equanimity.

Verse 13

Kadā nilimpa-nirjharī-nikuñja-koṭare vasan,
Vimukta-durmatih sadā śiraḥstham-añjaliṁ vahan।
Vimukta-lola-locano lalāma-bhāla-lagnakaḥ,
Śiveti mantram-ucharann kadā sukhī bhavāmyaham॥

Meaning

When will I, free from delusion, dwell in the serene grove-caves beside the heavenly Ganga, forever bowing with folded hands, my gaze fixed on Shiva’s glowing forehead, my mind completely absorbed in chanting “Shiva, Shiva”- when will I, truly content, find ultimate peace?

Verse 14

Idam hi nityam evam-uktam uttamottamaṁ stavam,
Paṭhan smaran bruvan naro viśuddhim-eti santatam।
Hare gurau subhaktim-āśu yāti nānyathā gatim,
Vimohanaṁ hi dehināṁ suśaṅkarasya cintanam॥

Meaning

This excellent and divine stotra, when read, remembered or spoken daily, brings continual purification to the devotee. Deep devotion quickly grows toward Lord Hari and one’s guru; no other path is needed. To think of auspicious Shiva alone cuts through all confusion of the mind and false identity.

Verse 15

Pūjāvasāna-samaye daśavaktra-gītaṁ,
Yaḥ śambhu-pūjana-paraṁ paṭhati pradoṣe।
Tasya sthirāṁ ratha-gajendra-turaṅga-yuktāṁ,
Lakṣmīṁ sadaiva sumukhīṁ pradadāti śambhuḥ॥

Meaning

He who, with devotion to Lord Shambhu, recites this hymn composed by the ten-headed Ravana at the end of Shiva’s evening worship, receives unwavering fortune adorned with chariots, elephants and horses, and always enjoys the smiling grace of goddess Lakshmi through Shiva’s eternal blessings.

Closing Verse

Iti Ravana kritam Shiva Tandava Stotram sampurnam

Meaning

Thus ends the Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by Ravana.

The Spiritual Power of Shiva Tandava Stotram

Each line of this stotram evokes Shiva’s fierce, dynamic and all-encompassing energy-the energy that contains creation, sustenance and dissolution. Ravana’s creation is a testament both to his devotion and to the transformational power of deep bhakti, knowledge and humility before Shiva. When recited with feeling, the seeker senses a connection with Shiva’s energy-the mind finds calm and consciousness is uplifted to a higher realm.

Benefits of Reciting Shiva Tandava Stotram

• Overcoming Difficulties: This hymn imparts courage and clarity in facing life’s toughest challenges.
• Creativity and Inspiration: Artists, writers and musicians find their creative potential renewed with regular chanting.
• Attraction of Wealth and Radiance: It is said to bring brilliance to the countenance and lasting prosperity to the devotee’s life.
• Relief from Planetary Afflictions: Especially powerful for overcoming the malefic effects of Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, Kaal Sarp Dosh and ancestral karmic issues.
• Inner Strength: Releases mental stress and instills deep resilience.

Proper Method of Recitation

• Timing: Early morning or dusk (Pradosh Kaal) are considered the best for - Shiva worship.
• Place: Seated in a quiet, clean setting before Shiva’s image or linga.
• Ritual: Bathe and wear fresh clothes. Abhishek the Shiva linga with water or milk-Ganga water is most auspicious.
• Offerings: Incense, lamps, flowers and naivedya (food).
• Recitation: Chant aloud with focus and clear tones as Ravana did in his devotion.
• Regularity: Daily recitation is ideal, especially on Mondays and Maha Shivaratri.

Deeper Insight

Reciting the Shiva Tandava Stotram is not only an outward religious act but an inward sadhana. It connects the seeker’s consciousness to the dynamic presence of Shiva, uniting the forces of creation, destruction and silence. Ravana’s journey-from pride to humility, from agony to devotion-reflects Shiva’s own divine play: dispensing punishment but also granting forgiveness to the truly penitent.

Living with Power and Grace

The Shiva Tandava Stotram is not mere praise; it is a sacred experience. Through Ravana’s devotion, even one who had erred found forgiveness and grace in Shiva’s inexhaustible compassion. Those who recite this stotram with sincerity welcome stability, self-confidence and the blessings of the Divine. In every line resound the strength, compassion and justice of Shiva-a reminder that before love, all pride falls away.