Shiva Tandava Stotram — Kannada Lyrics
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a 14-verse Sanskrit hymn traditionally composed by Ravana, the legendary Asura king, celebrating Lord Shiva's cosmic dance (Tandava). The opening verses paint vivid imagery of Shiva's transcendent form: the sacred Ganges flowing through matted locks (jata), serpents coiled as garlands, ash smeared across his body, and the crescent moon adorning his forehead. The rhythmic damaru (sacred drum) produces the cosmic pulse—represented onomatopoetically as 'damad-damad-damad.' These poetic descriptions blend physical grandeur with spiritual symbolism, rendering Shiva simultaneously fierce, protective, and eternally engaged in the dance sustaining all creation. The stotram reveals Shiva as Mahakala—the destroyer of ignorance and cosmic cycles. His Tandava represents the eternal rhythm underlying existence: the dissolution of old forms enabling renewal, the integration of opposites (fear and fearlessness, asceticism and cosmic play, stillness and dynamic movement). Each verse methodically unfolds Shiva's attributes—his matted locks, serpent ornaments, ash-covered body, the third eye, and his role as destroyer of demons (Gaja, Mahisha, Andha) and delusion itself. By meditating on this form, practitioners recognize Shiva as Paramashiva—the ultimate reality transcending all dualities. The hymn connects the devotee's inner consciousness to the heartbeat of the cosmos. Chant Shiva Tandava Stotram during Brahma Muhurta (early morning (pre-dawn)) or throughout Shiva Ratri observances for optimal spiritual benefit. Recite the complete 14 verses daily, or focus on verses resonating with your intention. Begin with 40 days of continuous practice to establish momentum. Ideally, chant with reverence and visualize Shiva's dance internally. Even listening to melodic renditions while meditating invokes profound inner transformation and alignment with cosmic consciousness.
Curated by The Mahakatha Team · Original Composition: Mahakatha · Lyric: Ravana (legendary)
Shiva Tandava Stotram
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जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् । डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥
ಜಟಾಟವೀಗಲಜ್ಜಲಪ್ರವಾಹಪಾವಿತಸ್ಥಲೇ ಗಲೇವಲಮ್ಬ್ಯ ಲಮ್ಬಿತಾಂ ಭುಜಙ್ಗತುಙ್ಗಮಾಲಿಕಾಮ್ । ಡಮಡ್ಡಮಡ್ಡಮಡ್ಡಮನ್ನಿನಾದವಡ್ಡಮರ್ವಯಂ ಚಕಾರ ಚಣ್ಡತಾಣ್ಡವಂ ತನೋತು ನಃ ಶಿವಃ ಶಿವಮ್ ॥
With holy water flowing down his hair…
A snake garlanding his neck…
The divine rattle of the damaru
Lord Shiva performs his fierce Tandava!
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि । धगद्धगद्धगज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥
ಜಟಾಕಟಾಹಸಮ್ಭ್ರಮಭ್ರಮನ್ನಿಲಿಮ್ಪನಿರ್ಝರೀ ವಿಲೋಲವೀಚಿವಲ್ಲರೀವಿರಾಜಮಾನಮೂರ್ಧನಿ । ಧಗದ್ಧಗದ್ಧಗಜ್ವಲಲ್ಲಲಾಟಪಟ್ಟಪಾವಕೇ ಕಿಶೋರಚನ್ದ್ರಶೇಖರೇ ರತಿಃ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ಷಣಂ ಮಮ ॥
The Ganges moving through his hair,
Reaching the deepest of his locks,
A blazing fire on his brow,
And the crescent moon shines like a jewel, I’m in awe!
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे । कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥
ಧರಾಧರೇನ್ದ್ರನನ್ದಿನೀವಿಲಾಸಬನ್ಧುಬನ್ಧುರ ಸ್ಫುರದ್ದಿಗನ್ತಸನ್ತತಿಪ್ರಮೋದಮಾನಮಾನಸೇ । ಕೃಪಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಧೋರಣೀನಿರುದ್ಧದುರ್ಧರಾಪದಿ ಕ್ವಚಿದ್ದಿಗಮ್ಬರೇ ಮನೋ ವಿನೋದಮೇತು ವಸ್ತುನಿ ॥
The preserver of life, the consort of Parvati,
Whose mind is where the Universe exists,
Whose all-seeing glance ends all hardship,
Whose garment is the whole cosmos, I find joy in that Shiva!
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे । मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदद्भुतं बिभुर्त भूतभर्तरि ॥
ಜಟಾಭುಜಙ್ಗಪಿಙ್ಗಲಸ್ಫುರತ್ಫಣಾಮಣಿಪ್ರಭಾ ಕದಮ್ಬಕುಙ್ಕುಮದ್ರವಪ್ರಲಿಪ್ತದಿಗ್ವಧೂಮುಖೇ । ಮದಾನ್ಧಸಿನ್ಧುರಸ್ಫುರತ್ತ್ವಗುತ್ತರೀಯಮೇದುರೇ ಮನೋ ವಿನೋದದ್ಭುತಂ ಬಿಭುರ್ತ ಭೂತಭರ್ತರಿ ॥
The serpent’s gem shimmers on him,
Its red glow on the faces of the Goddesses of direction,
He wears a cloak of elephant skin,
I am in awe of that God of mystical beings!
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः । भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥
ಸಹಸ್ರಲೋಚನಪ್ರಭೃತ್ಯಶೇಷಲೇಖಶೇಖರ ಪ್ರಸೂನಧೂಲಿಧೋರಣೀ ವಿಧೂಸರಾಙ್ಘ್ರಿಪೀಠಭೂಃ । ಭುಜಙ್ಗರಾಜಮಾಲಯಾ ನಿಬದ್ಧಜಾಟಜೂಟಕಃ ಶ್ರಿಯೈ ಚಿರಾಯ ಜಾಯತಾಂ ಚಕೋರಬನ್ಧುಶೇಖರಃ ॥
Indra and the other Gods in line…
Flower dust from their heads decorate Shiva’s footrest
A snake garlands the matted locks of his hair
Crowned with the crescent moon, may he bless us with prosperity!
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् । सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥
ಲಲಾಟಚತ್ವರಜ್ವಲದ್ಧನಞ್ಜಯಸ್ಫುಲಿಙ್ಗಭಾ ನಿಪೀತಪಞ್ಚಸಾಯಕಂ ನಮನ್ನಿಲಿಮ್ಪನಾಯಕಮ್ । ಸುಧಾಮಯೂಖಲೇಖಯಾ ವಿರಾಜಮಾನಶೇಖರಂ ಮಹಾಕಪಾಲಿಸಮ್ಪದೇಶಿರೋಜಟಾಲಮಸ್ತು ನಃ ॥
The fire on his brow consumed Kama deva, the God of Desire,
The most divine celestial leaders revere him deeply,
His forehead gleams with the cooling rays of the moon,
May abundance flow to us from the tangled locks!
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलद् धनञ्जयाधरीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके । धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि… अप्प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥
ಕರಾಲಭಾಲಪಟ್ಟಿಕಾಧಗದ್ಧಗದ್ಧಗಜ್ಜ್ವಲದ್ ಧನಞ್ಜಯಾಧರೀಕೃತಪ್ರಚಣ್ಡಪಞ್ಚಸಾಯಕೇ । ಧರಾಧರೇನ್ದ್ರನನ್ದಿನೀಕುಚಾಗ್ರಚಿತ್ರಪತ್ರಕ ಪ್ರಕಲ್ಪನೈಕಶಿಲ್ಪಿನಿ… ಅಪ್ಪ್ರಕಲ್ಪನೈಕಶಿಲ್ಪಿನಿ ತ್ರಿಲೋಚನೇ ರತಿರ್ಮಮ ॥
His forehead burns with the sound ‘dhagad-dhagad’ Sa
He sent Kama deva’s 5 arrows into holy fire,
His dancing feet create art on the Earth, and hence on Parvati’s body,
He is the only such artist, I’m in awe of that three-eyed Shiva!
नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत् कुहूनिशीथनीतमः प्रबन्धकन्धरः । निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगंद्धुरंधरः ॥
ನವೀನಮೇಘಮಣ್ಡಲೀ ನಿರುದ್ಧದುರ್ಧರಸ್ಫುರತ್ ಕುಹೂನಿಶೀಥನೀತಮಃ ಪ್ರಬನ್ಧಕನ್ಧರಃ । ನಿಲಿಮ್ಪನಿರ್ಝರೀಧರಸ್ತನೋತು ಕೃತ್ತಿಸಿನ್ಧುರಃ ಕಲಾನಿಧಾನಬನ್ಧುರಃ ಶ್ರಿಯಂ ಜಗಂದ್ಧುರಂಧರಃ ॥
The throb of his dance restrains the unrestrainable clouds,
And wraps the darkness of a full moon night around his neck,
O Shiva! The holder of the Ganga, the wearer of elephant hide
O Carrier of the crescent moon, the whole Universe, please bless us with prosperity!
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा वलम्बिकण्ठकन्धरारुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् । स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥
ಪ್ರಫುಲ್ಲನೀಲಪಙ್ಕಜಪ್ರಪಞ್ಚಕಾಲಿಮಪ್ರಭಾ ವಲಮ್ಬಿಕಣ್ಠಕನ್ಧರಾರುಚಿಪ್ರಬದ್ಧಕನ್ಧರಮ್ । ಸ್ಮರಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಪುರಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಭವಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಮಖಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಗಜಚ್ಛಿದಾನ್ಧಕಚ್ಛಿದಂ ತಮನ್ತಕಚ್ಛಿದಂ ಭಜೇ ॥
The glow of blooming blue lotuses shines
On his neck as dark as the Universe itself
The ender of Kama deva, Tripurasura, worldly delusions and sacrifice,
The ender of Gajasura and Andhaka, the controller of Yama, I worship that Lord Shiva!
अखर्व सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् । स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मुखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥
ಅಖರ್ವ ಸರ್ವಮಙ್ಗಲಾಕಲಾಕದಮ್ಬಮಞ್ಜರೀ ರಸಪ್ರವಾಹಮಾಧುರೀ ವಿಜೃಮ್ಭಣಾಮಧುವ್ರತಮ್ । ಸ್ಮರಾನ್ತಕಂ ಪುರಾನ್ತಕಂ ಭವಾನ್ತಕಂ ಮುಖಾನ್ತಕಂ ಗಜಾನ್ತಕಾನ್ಧಕಾನ್ತಕಂ ತಮನ್ತಕಾನ್ತಕಂ ಭಜೇ ॥
The source of well-being and art, scented in sweet Kadamba flowers
attracting swarms of bees flying around him,
The ender of Kama deva, Tripurasura, worldly delusions and sacrifice,
The ender of Gajasura and Andhaka, the controller of Yama, I worship that Lord Shiva!
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमस्फुरत धगद्धगद्धद्विनिर्गमत्करालभालहव्यवाट् । धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितः प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥
ಜಯತ್ವದಭ್ರವಿಭ್ರಮಭ್ರಮದ್ಭುಜಙ್ಗಮಸ್ಫುರತ ಧಗದ್ಧಗದ್ಧದ್ವಿನಿರ್ಗಮತ್ಕರಾಲಭಾಲಹವ್ಯವಾಟ್ । ಧಿಮಿದ್ಧಿಮಿದ್ಧಿಮಿಧ್ವನನ್ಮೃದಙ್ಗತುಙ್ಗಮಙ್ಗಲ ಧ್ವನಿಕ್ರಮಪ್ರವರ್ತಿತಃ ಪ್ರಚಣ್ಡತಾಣ್ಡವಃ ಶಿವಃ ॥
His eyebrows show his mastery over worlds, the serpents around his neck spew fiery breath,
His frightful third eye throbs and emits fire,
The mridangam endlessly sounds the ‘dhimid-dhimid-dhimi’ rhythm,
And Shiva dances his intense Tandava to its beat!
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकमस्रजोर् गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः । तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे ॥
ದೃಷದ್ವಿಚಿತ್ರತಲ್ಪಯೋರ್ಭುಜಙ್ಗಮೌಕ್ತಿಕಮಸ್ರಜೋರ್ ಗರಿಷ್ಠರತ್ನಲೋಷ್ಠಯೋಃ ಸುಹೃದ್ವಿಪಕ್ಷಪಕ್ಷಯೋಃ । ತೃಣಾರವಿನ್ದಚಕ್ಷುಷೋಃ ಪ್ರಜಾಮಹೀಮಹೇನ್ದ್ರಯೋಃ ಸಮಂ ಪ್ರವರ್ತಯನ್ಮನಃ ಕದಾ ಸದಾಶಿವಂ ಭಜೇ ॥
When will I sense the sameness in a soft bed and hard ground? In a garland of pearls and snakes?
In a gem and a lump of clay? In a friend and an enemy?
In the beauty of a plain eye and a lotus-like eye? In the soul of a layman and a king?
When will I be truly worthy of worshipping Shiva?
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् । विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥
ಕದಾ ನಿಲಿಮ್ಪನಿರ್ಝರೀನಿಕುಞ್ಜಕೋಟರೇ ವಸನ್ ವಿಮುಕ್ತದುರ್ಮತಿಃ ಸದಾ ಶಿರಃ ಸ್ಥಮಞ್ಜಲಿಂ ವಹನ್ । ವಿಮುಕ್ತಲೋಲಲೋಚನೋ ಲಲಾಮಭಾಲಲಗ್ನಕಃ ಶಿವೇತಿ ಮಂತ್ರಮುಚ್ಚರನ್ ಕದಾ ಸುಖೀ ಭವಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ ॥
When will I live in a cave in the woods by the River Ganga,
forever free of sinfulness, my hands clasped to my forehead in devotion,
Free from desires, worshipping Shiva with a sacred mark on my brow,
When will I attain the pure joy of uttering the mantras of Shiva?
इमं हि नित्यमेव मुक्तमुत्तमोत्तम स्तवं पठन्स्मरन बृवन्नरो विशुद्धमेतिसंततम् । हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नानन्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ॥
ಇಮಂ ಹಿ ನಿತ್ಯಮೇವ ಮುಕ್ತಮುತ್ತಮೋತ್ತಮ ಸ್ತವಂ ಪಠನ್ಸ್ಮರನ ಬೃವನ್ನರೋ ವಿಶುದ್ಧಮೇತಿಸಂತತಮ್ । ಹರೇ ಗುರೌ ಸುಭಕ್ತಿಮಾಶು ಯಾತಿ ನಾನನ್ಯಥಾ ಗತಿಂ ವಿಮೋಹನಂ ಹಿ ದೇಹಿನಾಂ ಸುಶಙ್ಕರಸ್ಯ ಚಿಂತನಮ್ ॥
Those who read it and reflect on this profound hymn
with a pure mind and without interruptions
with deep devotion to Shiva, the Guru, they will be closer to him,
All delusions will end through deep meditation on Lord Shiva.
How to Chant Shiva Tandava Stotram
- 1
Find a quiet, clean space
Sit in a comfortable, undisturbed environment. Face east or north if possible. You may light incense or a candle to set a contemplative atmosphere.
- 2
Settle into a comfortable posture
Sit cross-legged on the floor or upright in a chair. Keep the spine erect and place the hands on the knees with palms facing upward.
- 3
Take three cleansing breaths
Inhale slowly through the nose, hold briefly, and exhale completely. Repeat three times to calm the mind and prepare for mantra recitation.
- 4
Begin chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram
Chant the mantra clearly and with devotion — aloud, in a whisper, or silently. Use a mala (108 beads) to count repetitions. Aim for a consistent, unhurried rhythm throughout the session.
- 5
Rest in stillness
After completing your chanting, sit quietly for two to five minutes. Allow the vibration of the mantra to settle within. Close the practice with a moment of gratitude.
Benefits of Shiva Tandava Stotram
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Awakens kundalini energy and deepens meditation practice by aligning individual consciousness (Atman) with Shiva's cosmic vibration and eternal dance rhythm.
Source: Kundalini Upanishad; Traditional Tantric practice
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Dissolves fear and ego-based limitations by exposing the illusory nature of separate selfhood through Shiva's universal dance metaphor.
Source: Mandukya Upanishad; Advaita Vedanta philosophy
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Cultivates fearlessness (Abhaya) and inner resilience by meditating on Shiva as the destroyer of all obstacles, ignorance, and demonic patterns.
Source: Shiva Purana; Traditional Shaiva texts
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Purifies mind and nervous system through rhythmic Sanskrit phonetics and the embedded damaru vibration patterns within the chant's metrical structure.
Source: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali; Nada Brahma (Sound-Consciousness) doctrine
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Removes karmic blockages and negative samskaras by invoking Shiva's power to dissolve what no longer serves spiritual evolution and liberation.
Source: Karma Yoga Upanishad; Traditional Shaivite practice
Story & Symbolism
Shiva Tandava Stotram originates from Hindu mythology's most dramatic moment: Ravana's profound devotion despite his demonic nature. According to the Ramayana and Shiva Purana, Ravana—a brilliant scholar, musician, and yogi—composed this 14-verse hymn to propitiate Lord Shiva when Shiva pressed down Mount Kailash with his toe after Ravana attempted to uproot it. In that moment of pain and awe, Ravana tore out his own nerves to create a veena and composed this powerful hymn to appease Shiva. Ravana's genius lay in recognizing Shiva's transcendent supremacy beyond moral judgment. His poetic composition became so luminous that Shiva granted him a personal audience. This narrative teaches that sincere Bhakti (devotion) and spiritual insight can transcend any karmic debt; even an Asura king could approach the divine through authentic praise and surrender.
The stotram's deeper meaning reflects non-dual Advaita philosophy: Shiva's Tandava (cosmic dance) represents the eternal cycle of creation, sustenance, and dissolution—the fundamental rhythm underlying all existence. Each verse methodically unfolds Shiva's attributes—matted locks flowing with the Ganges (purification), serpents as garlands (kundalini energy), ash-covered body (renunciation), third eye (omniscience), and destructive power over ignorance and delusion. The hymn celebrates Shiva not as a distant god but as the ultimate reality (Paramashiva) pervading all consciousness. Spiritually, the Tandava symbolizes the cosmic energy eternally dancing through creation; meditating on this form aligns the individual soul (Atman) with universal consciousness.
Today, Shiva Tandava Stotram remains a cornerstone of Shaivite devotional practice worldwide. Temples, ashrams, and spiritual communities chant it during Shiva Ratri (the Night of Shiva), full moons, and daily sadhana. Modern seekers discovered its transformative power through renewed interest in Vedic wisdom, making it one of the most chanted Sanskrit hymns in contemporary spirituality. Its transmission bridges ancient mythology, poetic excellence, and direct spiritual experience.
How to Use in Daily Life
Dawn Practice
Chant Shiva Tandava Stotram during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) when cosmic consciousness is most accessible. Begin with 3 deep breaths, then recite the full 14 verses or selected verses with reverent focus.
Meditation Anchor
Use the stotram as your meditation mantra. Chant slowly for 15–20 minutes, visualizing Shiva's cosmic dance before your inner eye. Let the rhythmic damaru sounds anchor your awareness in present-moment consciousness.
Devotional Offering
Recite the stotram as an offering before your Shiva altar or sacred space. Light incense, ring a bell, and chant with genuine reverence. This practice transforms your home into a temple and invokes Shiva's blessing.
Evening Reflection
Before sleep, listen to a melodic rendition of Shiva Tandava Stotram. This dissolves daily tensions, purifies your aura, and prepares your consciousness for deeper, more spiritual dreams and inner dissolution into cosmic awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Prayers & Chants
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From the Bhagavad Gita
BG 10.23
I Am Shiva Among the Rudras
Of the Rudras I am Shankara — Shiva, the auspicious one who dissolves what no longer serves.
Read full verse →
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