Shiva Tandava Stotram

जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले

Jatatavi Galajjala Pravaha Pavita Sthale

jaṭāṭavīgalajjalapravāhapāvitasthale

His neck made holy by the streams pouring from the forest of his matted hair,

गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।

Gale Valambya Lambitam Bhujanga Tunga Malikam

gale'valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅgatuṅgamālikām

a great serpent hanging around his throat like a garland,

डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं

Damad Damad Damad Daman Ninadavad Damarvayam

ḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamaḍḍamanninādavaḍḍamarvayaṃ

his little drum sounding “damad-damad-damad-dam” —

चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥ १ ॥

Chakara Chanda Tandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam

cakāra caṇḍatāṇḍavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam

may Shiva, who danced this fierce Tandava, fill our lives with blessings.

जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी-

Jata Kataha Sambhrama Bhraman Nilimpa Nirjhari

jaṭākaṭāhasambhramabhramannilimpanirjharī-

In the deep bowl of his matted locks the river of the gods whirls and spins,

विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।

Vilola Vichi Vallari Virajamana Murdhani

vilolavīcivallarīvirājamānamūrdhani

his head shining with her restless waves like trailing vines;

धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके

Dhagad Dhagad Dhagaj Jvalal Lalata Patta Pavake

dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalāṭapaṭṭapāvake

on his forehead a fire blazes “dhagad-dhagad-dhagad,”

किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥ २ ॥

Kishora Chandra Shekhare Ratih Pratikshanam Mama

kiśoracandraśekhare ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṃ mama

and a young crescent moon is his crown — may my love for him grow every moment.

धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर-

Dharadharendra Nandini Vilasa Bandhu Bandhura

dharādharendranandinīvilāsabandhubandhura-

He delights in the playful grace of the mountain king’s daughter, Parvati,

स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे ।

Sphurad Diganta Santati Pramodamana Manase

sphuraddigantasantatipramodamānamānase

his mind rejoicing in the shining expanse of all directions;

कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि

Kripa Kataksha Dhorani Niruddha Durdharapadi

kṛpākaṭākṣadhoraṇīniruddhadurdharāpadi

his steady, compassionate glance holds back even unbearable misfortune —

क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥ ३ ॥

Kvachid Digambare Mano Vinodam Etu Vastuni

kvaciddigambare mano vinodametu vastuni

may my mind find its joy in that sky-clad reality.

जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा-

Jata Bhujanga Pingala Sphurat Phana Mani Prabha

jaṭābhujaṅgapiṅgalasphuratphaṇāmaṇiprabhā-

The tawny serpents in his hair flash light from the jewels on their hoods,

कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।

Kadamba Kunkuma Drava Pralipta Digvadhu Mukhe

kadambakuṅkumadravapraliptadigvadhūmukhe

painting the faces of the goddesses of the directions as if with liquid saffron;

मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे

Madandha Sindhura Sphurat Tvag Uttariya Medure

madāndhasindhurasphurattvaguttarīyamedure

he wears the gleaming hide of a maddened elephant as his shawl —

मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥ ४ ॥

Mano Vinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu Bhuta Bhartari

mano vinodamadbhutaṃ bibhartu bhūtabhartari

may my mind find wondrous joy in him, the lord who sustains all beings.

सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर-

Sahasra Lochana Prabhrity Ashesha Lekha Shekhara

sahasralocanaprabhṛtyaśeṣalekhaśekhara-

Flowers falling from the crowns of thousand-eyed Indra and all the gods

प्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः ।

Prasuna Dhuli Dhorani Vidhusara Anghri Pitha Bhuh

prasūnadhūlidhoraṇīvidhūsarāṅghripīṭhabhūḥ

dust his footstool grey with their pollen;

भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः

Bhujanga Raja Malaya Nibaddha Jata Jutakah

bhujaṅgarājamālayā nibaddhajāṭajūṭakaḥ

his coiled locks are tied with a garland made of the king of serpents —

श्रिये चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥ ५ ॥

Shriye Chiraya Jayatam Chakora Bandhu Shekharah

śriye cirāya jāyatāṃ cakorabandhuśekharaḥ

may he who wears the moon, friend of the chakora bird, bring us lasting good fortune.

ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा-

Lalata Chatvara Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulinga Bha

lalāṭacatvarajvaladdhanañjayasphuliṅgabhā-

With sparks from the fire blazing on the broad square of his forehead

निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् ।

Nipita Pancha Sayakam Naman Nilimpa Nayakam

nipītapañcasāyakaṃ namannilimpanāyakam

he consumed Kama of the five arrows, and the king of the gods bows before him;

सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं

Sudha Mayukha Lekhaya Virajamana Shekharam

sudhāmayūkhalekhayā virājamānaśekharaṃ

his crown shines with the nectar-cool crescent of the moon —

महाकपालि सम्पदे शिरो जटालमस्तु नः ॥ ६ ॥

Maha Kapali Sampade Shiro Jatalam Astu Nah

mahākapāli sampade śiro jaṭālamastu naḥ

may that great skull-bearer, his head crowned with matted locks, bring us every blessing.

करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल-

Karala Bhala Pattika Dhagad Dhagad Dhagaj Jvala

karālabhālapaṭṭikādhagaddhagaddhagajjvala-

On the fearsome plate of his forehead a fire roars “dhagad-dhagad,”

द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके ।

Dhananjaya Ahuti Krita Prachanda Pancha Sayake

ddhanañjayāhutīkṛtapracaṇḍapañcasāyake

into which he offered fierce Kama, the five-arrowed, as an oblation;

धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक-

Dharadharendra Nandini Kuchagra Chitra Patraka

dharādharendranandinīkucāgracitrapatraka-

he alone is the artist who paints delicate leaf-designs on the bosom of Parvati —

प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥ ७ ॥

Prakalpanaika Shilpini Trilochane Ratir Mama

prakalpanaikaśilpini trilocane ratirmama

in that three-eyed one my heart delights.

नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्-

Navina Megha Mandali Niruddha Durdhara Sphurat

navīnameghamaṇḍalīniruddhadurdharasphurat-

Dark as a moonless midnight hidden under fresh, heavy rain clouds

कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः ।

Kuhu Nishithini Tamah Prabandha Baddha Kandharah

kuhūniśīthinītamaḥprabandhabaddhakandharaḥ

is his throat, which holds that deep darkness;

निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः

Nilimpa Nirjhari Dharas Tanotu Kritti Sindhurah

nilimpanirjharīdharastanotu kṛttisindhuraḥ

he bears the river of the gods and wears the elephant’s hide —

कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः ॥ ८ ॥

Kala Nidhana Bandhurah Shriyam Jagad Dhurandharah

kalānidhānabandhuraḥ śriyaṃ jagaddhurandharaḥ

lovely with the moon, carrier of the whole world’s burden: may he bring us prosperity.

प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा-

Praphulla Nila Pankaja Prapancha Kalima Prabha

praphullanīlapaṅkajaprapañcakālimaprabhā-

His throat gleams with the dark beauty of fully opened blue lotuses,

वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् ।

Valambi Kantha Kandali Ruchi Prabaddha Kandharam

valambikaṇṭhakandalīruciprabaddhakandharam

his neck wrapped in that deep, shining blue —

स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं

Smarachchidam Purachchidam Bhavachchidam Makhachchidam

smaracchidaṃ puracchidaṃ bhavacchidaṃ makhacchidaṃ

destroyer of Kama, of the three demon cities, of worldly bondage, of Daksha’s sacrifice,

गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥ ९ ॥

Gajachchid Andhakachchidam Tam Antakachchidam Bhaje

gajacchidāndhakacchidaṃ tamantakacchidaṃ bhaje

slayer of the elephant demon and of Andhaka, conqueror of death itself — him I worship.

अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी-

Akharva Sarva Mangala Kala Kadamba Manjari

akharvasarvamaṅgalākalākadambamañjarī-

Like a bee drawn to the nectar flowing from the blossoming graces

रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् ।

Rasa Pravaha Madhuri Vijrimbhana Madhuvratam

rasapravāhamādhurīvijṛmbhaṇāmadhuvratam

of the all-auspicious Parvati, he delights in their sweetness —

स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं

Smarantakam Purantakam Bhavantakam Makhantakam

smarāntakaṃ purāntakaṃ bhavāntakaṃ makhāntakaṃ

the end of Kama, of the three cities, of worldly bondage, of the proud sacrifice,

गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥ १० ॥

Gajantakandhakantakam Tam Antakantakam Bhaje

gajāntakāndhakāntakaṃ tamantakāntakaṃ bhaje

the end of the elephant demon and of Andhaka, the end even of death — him I worship.

जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस-

Jayatvad Abhra Vibhrama Bhramad Bhujangama Shvasa

jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujaṅgamaśvasa-

Victory to Shiva! Serpents whirl wildly through the sky around him,

द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् ।

Dvinirgamat Krama Sphurat Karala Bhala Havyavat

dvinirgamatkramasphuratkarālabhālahavyavāṭ

their hissing breath fanning the fierce fire on his forehead;

धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिद्ध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल-

Dhimid Dhimid Dhimid Dhvanan Mridanga Tunga Mangala

dhimiddhimiddhimiddhvananmṛdaṅgatuṅgamaṅgala-

to the loud, auspicious “dhimid-dhimid-dhimid” of the mridanga drum,

ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥ ११ ॥

Dhvani Krama Pravartita Prachanda Tandavah Shivah

dhvanikramapravartitapracaṇḍatāṇḍavaḥ śivaḥ

Shiva dances his ferocious Tandava.

दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्

Drishad Vichitra Talpayor Bhujanga Mauktika Srajor

dṛṣadvicitratalpayorbhujaṅgamauktikasrajor

Seeing a stone and a lavish bed as one, a snake and a pearl necklace as one,

गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।

Garishtha Ratna Loshthayoh Suhrid Vipaksha Pakshayoh

gariṣṭharatnaloṣṭhayoḥ suhṛdvipakṣapakṣayoḥ

a priceless jewel and a lump of earth as one, friend and enemy as one,

तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः

Trinaravinda Chakshushoh Praja Mahi Mahendrayoh

tṛṇāravindacakṣuṣoḥ prajāmahīmahendrayoḥ

a blade of grass and lotus-eyed beauty as one, a common subject and an emperor as one —

समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥ १२ ॥

Sama Pravrittikah Kada Sadashivam Bhajamyaham

samapravṛttikaḥ kadā sadāśivaṃ bhajāmyaham

when will I, seeing everything equally, worship the ever-auspicious Shiva?

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्

Kada Nilimpa Nirjhari Nikunja Kotare Vasan

kadā nilimpanirjharīnikuñjakoṭare vasan

When will I live in a hollow among the groves beside the river of the gods,

विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् ।

Vimukta Durmatih Sada Shirah Stham Anjalim Vahan

vimuktadurmatiḥ sadā śiraḥsthamañjaliṃ vahan

free of every wrong thought, my joined palms always raised above my head,

विमुक्तलोललोचनाललामभाललग्नकं

Vimukta Lola Lochana Lalama Bhala Lagnakam

vimuktalolalocanālalāmabhālalagnakaṃ

my restless eyes made still, fixed on the one with the sacred mark upon his brow,

शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥ १३ ॥

Shiveti Mantram Uchcharan Kada Sukhi Bhavamyaham

śiveti mantramuccaran kadā sukhī bhavāmyaham

chanting the mantra “Shiva” — when will I be truly happy?

निलिम्पनाथनागरीकदम्बमौलमल्लिका-

Nilimpa Natha Nagari Kadamba Maula Mallika

nilimpanāthanāgarīkadambamaulamallikā-

Lovely with the jasmine woven into the hair of the maidens of Indra’s heavenly city,

निगुम्फनिर्भरक्षरन्मधूष्णिकामनोहरः ।

Nigumpha Nirbhara Ksharan Madhushnika Manoharah

nigumphanirbharakṣaranmadhūṣṇikāmanoharaḥ

enchanting with the honey that drips from those garlands —

तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनीमहर्निशं

Tanotu No Mano Mudam Vinodinim Aharnisham

tanotu no manomudaṃ vinodinīmaharniśaṃ

may the radiance of his body bring our minds delight, day and night —

परश्रियः परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः ॥ १४ ॥

Para Shriyah Param Padam Tad Angaja Tvisham Chayah

paraśriyaḥ paraṃ padaṃ tadaṅgajatviṣāṃ cayaḥ

that shining light, the highest home of supreme beauty.

प्रचण्डवाडवानलप्रभाशुभप्रचारणी

Prachanda Vadavanala Prabha Shubha Pracharani

pracaṇḍavāḍavānalaprabhāśubhapracāraṇī

Blazing like the fierce fire beneath the ocean, spreading blessings everywhere,

महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनीजनावहूतजल्पना ।

Mahashta Siddhi Kamini Janavahuta Jalpana

mahāṣṭasiddhikāminījanāvahūtajalpanā

calling forth the eight great spiritual powers like attendant maidens,

विमुक्तवामलोचनाविवाहकालिकध्वनिः

Vimukta Vama Lochana Vivaha Kalika Dhvanih

vimuktavāmalocanāvivāhakālikadhvaniḥ

ringing out like the joyful sound at the wedding of lovely-eyed Parvati —

शिवेति मन्त्रभूषणा जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥ १५ ॥

Shiveti Mantra Bhushana Jagaj Jayaya Jayatam

śiveti mantrabhūṣaṇā jagajjayāya jāyatām

may the word “Shiva,” jewel of all mantras, bring victory to the whole world.

इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं

Imam Hi Nityam Evam Uktam Uttamottamam Stavam

imaṃ hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamaṃ stavaṃ

Whoever daily recites, remembers or speaks this supreme hymn, just as it is given here,

पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम् ।

Pathan Smaran Bruvan Naro Vishuddhim Eti Santatam

paṭhansmaranbruvannaro viśuddhimeti santatam

is purified for ever;

हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं

Hare Gurau Subhaktim Ashu Yati Nanyatha Gatim

hare gurau subhaktimāśu yāti nānyathā gatiṃ

they quickly come to true devotion to Shiva, the great teacher — there is no other path,

विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥ १६ ॥

Vimohanam Hi Dehinam Sushankarasya Chintanam

vimohanaṃ hi dehināṃ suśaṅkarasya cintanam

for thinking of the gracious Shankara frees every embodied being from delusion.

पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं

Pujavasana Samaye Dashavaktra Gitam

pūjāvasānasamaye daśavaktragītaṃ

Whoever, at the close of worship, recites this hymn sung by ten-headed Ravana,

यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे ।

Yah Shambhu Pujana Param Pathati Pradoshe

yaḥ śambhupūjanaparaṃ paṭhati pradoṣe

devoted to Shambhu, at the twilight hour of Pradosha —

तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां

Tasya Sthiram Ratha Gajendra Turanga Yuktam

tasya sthirāṃ rathagajendraturaṅgayuktāṃ

to them Shambhu gives lasting prosperity, rich with chariots, elephants and horses,

लक्ष्मीं प्रसादसमये प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥

Lakshmim Prasada Samaye Pradadati Shambhuh

lakṣmīṃ prasādasamaye pradadāti śambhuḥ

as his gift of grace.