The Shiva Tandava Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn to Shiva in his form as the dancer of the tandava, the vigorous cosmic dance. The source text credits the hymn to Ravana, and tradition tells the story that the ten-headed king of Lanka composed it in praise of Shiva. It is told as a traditional account, and the page below simply shows the verses as they are transcribed.
The hymn has fifteen numbered verses of praise, then verse sixteen, which speaks of the value of reciting it, and one more unnumbered verse that closes with a benefit as well. Most verses are written as a few very long compound words, so that a single line can read like one breathless phrase. That galloping sound, with its repeated drum-like syllables, is a large part of why people love to chant it.
On this page you will find each verse in Devanagari with a simple transliteration and a plain-language meaning, then notes on recitation, what the tradition says the hymn is for, and how to approach the pronunciation. Shiva’s worship is also linked with Maha Shivaratri and with Pradosh, and dates for both are on the festival pages.
The text, transliteration and meaning
Read the verses slowly the first time. The compound words are long, so the meanings below give the sense of each verse rather than a word-for-word gloss.
Verse 1
जटाऽटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥
Jata'tavigalajjalapravahapavitasthale gale'valambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam
Damaddamaddamaddamanninadavaddamarvayam chakara chandatandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam
MeaningIn the forest of Shiva's matted hair, flowing water has cleansed the ground, and a great serpent hangs as a long garland at his throat. To the sound of the damaru drum, dama dama dama, he performed his fierce dance. May Shiva bring us well-being.
Verse 2
जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरीविलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्द्धनि।
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥
Jatakatahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjharivilolavichivallarivirajamanamurddhani
Dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalatapattapavake kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama
MeaningMy delight is in him at every moment: on his head the waves of the heavenly river swirl in his tangled locks like climbing creepers, a fire blazes on the plate of his forehead, and a young moon crowns him.
Verse 3
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुरस्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥
Dharadharendranandinivilasabandhubandhurasphuraddigantasantatipramodamanamanase
Kripakatakshadhoraniniruddhadurdharapadi kvachiddigambare mano vinodametu vastuni
MeaningMay my mind find joy in the sky-clad Lord. He delights in the company of Parvati, daughter of the mountain king, and the glances of his grace hold back hard calamities.
Verse 4
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभाकदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे।
मदान्धसिन्धुरासुरत्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥
Jatabhujangapingalasphuratphanamaniprabhakadambakunkumadravapraliptadigvadhumukhe
Madandhasindhurasuratvaguttariyamedure mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari
MeaningMay my mind carry a wondrous joy in the Lord of beings. The jewelled hoods of the tawny serpents in his hair cast a saffron-like glow over the faces of the quarters of space, and he wears the hide of an elephant as a cloak.
Verse 5
सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखरप्रसूनधूलिधोरणीविधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रिये चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥
Sahasralochanaprabhrityasheshalekhashekharaprasunadhulidhoranividhusaranghripithabhuh
Bhujangarajamalaya nibaddhajatajutakah shriye chiraya jayatam chakorabandhushekharah
MeaningMay the one crowned with the moon grant us lasting prosperity. The dust from flowers on the crowns of Indra and all the gods turns his footstool grey, and his tangled hair is bound by the king of serpents as a garland.
Verse 6
ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभानिपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महः कपालि सम्पदे सरिज्जटालमस्तु नः ॥
Lalatachatvarajvaladdhananjayasphulingabhanipitapanchasayakam namannilimpanayakam
Sudhamayukhalekhaya virajamanashekharam mahah kapali sampade sarijjatalamastu nah
MeaningMay the radiance of the skull-bearer bring us fortune. The fire of his forehead burnt up the five-arrowed god of love, the king of the gods bows to him, and the moon's thin crest shines on his head with the river in his hair.
Verse 7
करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलद्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके।
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रकप्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥
Karalabhalapattikadhagaddhagaddhagajjvaladdhananjayahutikritaprachandapanchasayake
Dharadharendranandinikuchagrachitrapatrakaprakalpanaikashilpini trilochane ratirmama
MeaningMy delight is in the three-eyed Lord, who offered the fierce god of love as an oblation to the fire blazing on his terrible forehead, and who is the one master of painting decorative designs on the breast of the mountain king's daughter.
Verse 8
नवीनमेघमण्डलीनिरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्कुहूनिशीथिनीतमःप्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः।
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः ॥
Navinameghamandaliniruddhadurdharasphuratkuhunishithinitamahprabandhabaddhakandharah
Nilimpanirjharidharastanotu krittisindhurah kalanidhanabandhurah shriyam jagaddhurandharah
MeaningMay he who bears the heavenly river grant us fortune: his throat is dark like the night of the new moon covered by fresh clouds, he wears the hide of an elephant, he is a treasure of the arts and the bearer of the world's burden.
Verse 9
प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभाऽवलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्।
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥
Praphullanilapankajaprapanchakalimaprabha'valambikanthakandaliruchiprabaddhakandharam
Smarachchhidam purachchhidam bhavachchhidam makhachchhidam gajachchhidandhakachchhidam tamantakachchhidam bhaje
MeaningI worship him whose neck shines with the dark glow of fully opened blue lotuses. He cut down the god of love, the three cities, worldly existence, the sacrifice of Daksha, the elephant demon, Andhaka and Death itself.
Verse 10
अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरीरसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्।
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥
Akharvasarvamangalakalakadambamanjarirasapravahamadhurivijrimbhanamadhuvratam
Smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje
MeaningI worship him who is like a bee drawn to the honey of the clusters of all auspicious arts. He is the ender of the god of love, of the three cities, of existence, of the sacrifice, of the elephant demon, of Andhaka, and even of Death.
Verse 11
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वसद्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्।
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिद्ध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गलध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥
Jayatvadabhravibhramabhramadbhujangamashvasadvinirgamatkramasphuratkaralabhalahavyavat
Dhimiddhimiddhimiddhvananmridangatungamangaladhvanikramapravartitaprachandatandavah shivah
MeaningVictory to Shiva, whose fierce forehead-fire blazes as serpents whirl and hiss. His wild tandava is set in motion by the rhythm of auspicious mridanga drums sounding dhimid dhimid.
Verse 12
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः।
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥
Drishadvichitratalpayorbhujangamauktikasrajorgarishtharatnaloshthayoh suhridvipakshapakshayoh
Trinaravindachakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh samapravrittikah kada sadashivam bhajamyaham
MeaningWhen shall I worship Sadashiva with an even mind, seeing no difference between stone and soft bed, serpent and string of pearls, jewel and clod of earth, friend and foe, grass and lotus, a subject and a great king?
Verse 13
कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन्।
विमुक्तलोललोचनाललामभाललग्नकं शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥
Kada nilimpanirjharinikunjakotare vasan vimuktadurmatih sada shirahsthamanjalim vahan
Vimuktalolalochanalalamabhalalagnakam shiveti mantramuchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham
MeaningWhen, living in a cave beside the heavenly river, free of wrong thinking, always holding folded hands over my head and my restless eyes stilled, shall I be happy, chanting the mantra Shiva?
Verse 14
निलिम्पनाथनागरीकदम्बमौलमल्लिकानिगुम्फनिर्भरक्षरन्मधूष्णिकामनोहरः।
तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनीमहर्निशं परश्रियः परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः ॥
Nilimpanathanagarikadambamaulamallikanigumphanirbharaksharanmadhushnikamanoharah
Tanotu no manomudam vinodinimaharnisham parashriyah param padam tadangajatvisham chayah
MeaningMay the radiance of Shiva's limbs, as sweet as honey dripping from the jasmine garlands of the heavenly women, increase the joy of our minds day and night.
Verse 15
प्रचण्डवाडवानलप्रभाशुभप्रचारणी महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनीजनाऽवहूतजल्पना।
विमुक्तवामलोचनाविवाहकालिकध्वनिः शिवेति मन्त्रभूषणा जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥
Prachandavadavanalaprabhashubhapracharani mahashtasiddhikaminijana'vahutajalpana
Vimuktavamalochanavivahakalikadhvanih shiveti mantrabhushana jagajjayaya jayatam
MeaningMay the mantra Shiva, the ornament of this prayer, spread victory over the world. It is described here as blazing like the undersea fire, mingling with the voices of the women who are the eight great powers and the sounds of a wedding.
Verse 16 (benefit)
इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसन्ततम्।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नाऽन्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥
Imam hi nityamevamuktamuttamottamam stavam pathansmaranbruvannaro vishuddhimetisantatam
Hare gurau subhaktimashu yati na'nyatha gatim vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam
MeaningThe verse says that a person who reads, remembers or recites this supreme hymn is constantly purified and soon attains devotion to Hara, the teacher. It adds that there is no other way, since contemplating Shankara dispels the confusion of embodied beings.
Closing verse (benefit)
पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं प्रसादसमये प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥
Pujavasanasamaye dashavaktragitam yah shambhupujanaparam pathati pradoshe
Tasya sthiram rathagajendraturangayuktam lakshmim prasadasamaye pradadati shambhuh
MeaningThe closing verse states that whoever recites this song of the ten-faced one at the end of worship, at Pradosh, is given steady fortune with chariots, elephants and horses by Shambhu in his time of grace. This is the hymn's own claim of benefit.
Text: Sanskrit Wikisource, page “शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्”. Transliteration is simplified; meanings are our own. Verse numbers appear as labels above each verse.
When and how it is traditionally recited
Many devotees chant the stotram in the evening twilight of Pradosh, the period around sunset on the thirteenth lunar day of each fortnight that is associated with Shiva worship. Others recite it on Mondays, on Maha Shivaratri, or at the end of a Shiva puja, which is exactly the moment the final verse names. Customs differ by region and family, so there is no single required time.
The hymn is long, and most people take a few weeks to learn it. A common way is to start with one or two verses a day, reading aloud from the page, then join them together once the rhythm settles. Some chant it from memory facing an image or linga, others simply sit quietly with a lamp lit. A reading of about ten minutes is typical once the pace is comfortable.
What the tradition says it is for
The tradition tells that Ravana, a devotee of Shiva, composed this hymn when he was caught under Mount Kailasa and sang to gain Shiva’s grace. This is a story handed down in the tradition and is not part of the verses on this page. Scholars treat the authorship as traditional rather than proven.
The verses themselves ask for fairly gentle things: joy of mind, steady devotion, an even temper toward friend and foe, and a life lived calmly beside the river with the name of Shiva on the lips. The two closing verses state benefits, including purification and prosperity. Those are the text’s own claims, and the tradition reads them as the fruit of devotion rather than as a promise of results.
If health, money or other worries are weighing on you, a hymn can offer steadiness but it is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice.
Pronunciation notes
The metre is built on strongly stressed syllables, so aim for a lively, even beat. Doubled sounds such as dd in damad-damad and ddh in dhimid-dhimid are meant to imitate the drum, and each beat should be crisp. Long vowels, such as the second a in tandava, are held about twice as long as short ones.
Do not worry if the long compounds feel like a tongue-twister. Break each one into its natural parts, say them slowly, and speed up only when the parts feel familiar. The sh in Shiva is a soft sh, the ch is as in church, and the final m of a word is a gentle hum. Listening to a trusted recitation helps more than any written guide.
Related mantras and pages
- Rudrashtakam: another Shiva hymn, softer in tone and shorter
- Lingashtakam: eight verses to the linga with a repeating refrain
- Shiva Panchakshara Stotram: five verses on the five syllables of Shiva’s name
- Om Namah Shivaya: the short mantra many devotees begin with
- Pradosh Vrat: the twilight observance linked with Shiva
- All mantras, stotras, chalisas and aartis
Frequently asked questions
↳ Who wrote the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
The source credits it to Ravana, and tradition tells that he composed it in praise of Shiva. Scholars regard the attribution as traditional, and there is no way to verify it from the text alone.
↳ What does tandava mean?
Tandava is the name of Shiva's energetic, vigorous dance. The hymn describes it with sounds of the damaru drum, whirling serpents and a blazing forehead fire. Tradition reads the dance as the movement of creation and dissolution.
↳ When is the best time to recite the Shiva Tandava Stotram?
Many devotees choose the Pradosh twilight, Mondays or Maha Shivaratri, and the last verse itself mentions Pradosh. Others recite it whenever they have a calm quarter of an hour. Follow your family's custom if you have one.
↳ Is the Shiva Tandava Stotram difficult to learn?
It is demanding because of the very long compound words, but people usually manage it by learning two verses at a time. Read the transliteration aloud, break each long word into parts, and use a trusted recording to hear the rhythm.
↳ How many verses does the Shiva Tandava Stotram have?
There are fifteen numbered verses of praise. Verse sixteen then states the value of reciting the hymn, and one further unnumbered verse closes with a benefit as well, which makes seventeen items on this page.