Meaning of Shiv Tandav Stotram

The hymn begins with a salutation to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings for an obstacle-free recitation.

Meaning: In the forest of his matted locks, the flowing Ganga purifies the ground beneath, and a great serpent hangs around his neck like a garland. To the beat of his damaru, Shiva dances the fierce Tandava. May he bestow auspiciousness upon us.

Meaning: My heart delights every moment in the young, moon-crested Shiva, on whose head the waves of the Ganga swirl and shine in his matted locks, and whose forehead blazes with fire.

Meaning: May my mind find joy in the sky-clad Shiva, the beloved of Parvati, daughter of the mountain king, whose gracious glance removes unbearable troubles and in whom all directions and beings rejoice.

Meaning: May my mind find wonderful delight in Shiva, the Lord of all beings, whose serpent-hood jewels paint the faces of the directions with a glow like saffron, and who wears the hide of an elephant as his cloak.

Meaning: May Shiva, whose footstool is dusted with the pollen of flowers fallen from the crowns of Indra and all the gods, whose matted hair is bound by the king of serpents and who wears the moon as his crest, grant us lasting prosperity.

Meaning: May the matted-haired head of Shiva, who burned the god of love in the fire of his forehead, whom the lord of the gods bows to, and who is adorned with the crescent moon, grant us wealth and prosperity.

Meaning: I find joy in the three-eyed Shiva, who offered the five-arrowed god of love into the fire blazing on his fearsome forehead, and who alone is the master artist who paints designs on the bosom of Parvati, the mountain king's daughter.

Meaning: May Shiva, whose neck is dark like a thick mass of fresh clouds covering the darkness of the new-moon night, who bears the Ganga, wears an elephant hide and the crescent moon, and who upholds the whole universe, bestow prosperity upon us.

Meaning: I worship Shiva, whose neck shines with the deep glow of blossoming blue lotuses, the destroyer of Kama, of the demon city of Tripura, of worldly bondage, of Daksha's sacrifice, of the elephant demon and of Andhaka, and the conqueror of Death.

Meaning: I worship Shiva, who, like a bee, savours the sweet flow of honey from the clusters of blossoms of all auspicious arts, and who ended Kama, Tripura, worldly bondage, the sacrifice, the elephant demon, Andhaka and Death itself.

Meaning: Victory to Shiva, whose fierce forehead-fire blazes as serpents hiss and wander in circles, and who performs the mighty Tandava to the auspicious beat of the mridanga sounding “dhimid dhimid”.

Meaning: When shall I worship Sadashiva with perfect equanimity, seeing alike a stone or a soft bed, a serpent or a pearl garland, a jewel or a lump of clay, a friend or a foe, a blade of grass or a lotus-eyed beauty, a common subject or a king?

Meaning: When shall I be happy, living in a cave on the bank of the heavenly river, free of evil thoughts, with folded hands raised to my head, with eyes moving in devotion, a sacred mark on my forehead, chanting the mantra “Shiva”?

Meaning: May the radiance of Shiva's divine form, whose crown of flower garlands drips sweet honey that delights the heavenly women, fill our minds with joy day and night and lead us to the supreme state beyond all other glories.

Meaning: May the mantra “Shiva”, the ornament of devotees, shining like the fierce undersea fire, destroying sins and sought after by the eight great siddhis, bring victory over the world.

Meaning: Whoever reads, remembers or recites this supreme hymn constantly becomes pure. He quickly gains devotion to Lord Shiva and to the guru, and there is no other way; contemplating Shankara removes the delusion of all beings.

Meaning: At the end of worship, in the Pradosha hour, whoever recites this hymn sung by Ravana, devoted to Shambhu, is granted by Shambhu steady wealth with chariots, elephants and horses, and a gracious fortune.

Here ends the Shiva Tandava Stotram composed by Ravana.