As soon as Ravana’s name comes, his arrogance, power and war with Lord Rama in Ramayana come to mind, but he has also been identified as a great devotee of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Ravana had composed the Shiva Tandava Stotra and being pleased with his devotion, Mahadev had blessed him with the Chandrahas sword. Now an attempt has been made to show this devotion and bravery of Ravana on the big screen.
On the occasion of Dussehra, the makers of the film Ramayana released ‘Ravana Tandav’. The video starts with Yash, who is playing the role of Ravana. Yash’s style of dreadlocks, dhoti, Rudraksh jewelery and ash applied on his forehead presents him as an ascetic and powerful devotee of Shiva. There is Shiva Tandava Stotra, which describes Lord Shiva’s matted hair, the snake around his neck, the third eye, the Tandava dance and his glory. Let us know the simple meaning of each line of Shiv Tandav Stotra in Hindi.
Shiv Tandav Stotra
Jataatvigalajalflowpurified place
गलेऽवल्म्ब्या लम्बितां भुजंगतुंगमालिकाम्.
डमडडमडडमडमडमनिनादवद्दमर्व्यं
Chakar Chandtandavan Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam॥1॥
Meaning: The stream of Ganga flowing from the locks of Lord Shiva purifies his body. A garland of huge snakes is hanging around his neck. They create a massive orgy by playing the drum-dum-dum. May Lord Shiva bless us all and bring auspiciousness in our lives.
Jataktahsambhrambhramannilimpanirjhari.
Willolavichivallari Virajmanmurdhani.
धगद्धगद्धग्ज्ज्वललललातपत्तपावके
Kishorchandrashekre Ratih Pratikshanam Mam॥2॥
Meaning: The stream of Ganga is flowing rapidly in the huge locks of Lord Shiva. Her waves look beautiful in her locks. The fire of the third eye is burning on his forehead and the moon is adorned with hair on his head. Chandrashekhar, my mind should remain focused on Lord Shiva every moment.
Dhara Dharendra Nandini Vilas Bandhuvandhur-
Spurdragant Santi Pramod Manmanse.
Kripakata Kshadharani Nirudhadurdharapadi
Kavachidvigambare mano Vinodametu Vastini ॥3॥
Meaning: Mother Parvati, daughter of mountain king Himalaya, is the better half of Lord Shiva. By living with him, Lord Shiva’s form appears even more beautiful. His mind is about spreading happiness in the world. His kind vision has the power to overcome even the most difficult problems. May my mind find joy and peace in such Digambara Lord Shiva.
Jata Bhujan Gapingal Sphuratfanamaniprabha-
Kadambakumkum Dravapralipta Digvadhumukhe.
Madandh Sindhu Raspuratvaguttariyamedure
Mano Vinodabhutam Bimbhartu Bhootbhartari ॥4॥
Meaning: The gem on the hood of the brown snake living in the locks of Lord Shiva keeps shining. Its light illuminates the directions as if they are adorned with vermilion. Lord Shiva has worn the skin of an intoxicated elephant as a garment. May my mind find joy in such a wonderful Shiva who takes care of all living beings.
Sahasra Lochan Prabhritya Sheshalekha Shekhar-
Prasun Dhulidhorani Vidhusranghripeethbhu.
Bhujangraj Mallya Nibdhajatjutaka:
Shree Chirai Jayataan Chakor Bandhushekhar: ॥5॥
Meaning: Many gods including Indra offer flowers at the feet of Lord Shiva. The dust of those flowers makes the place at his feet sacred and grey. Nagraj’s garland is adorned in Shivaji’s matted hair and the moon is present on his head. May Lord Shiva grant us happiness, prosperity and good fortune for a long time.
Frontal Chatvarjwaladhnanjayasphurigabha-
Nipitpanchasayakam nimannilimpanayam.
Sudha Mayukh Lekhaya Virajmanshekaran
Maha Kapali Sampade Shirojayalmastu Nah ॥6॥
Meaning: The fire of the third eye located on the forehead of Lord Shiva had destroyed Kamadeva. For this reason, even the lords of the gods bow before them. The moon which gives coolness like nectar is adorned on his head. May the locks of Mahakapaali Lord Shiva become the cause of well-being and prosperity for us.
Karal Bhal PattikadhGaddhGaddhGajjwal-
धनन्ज्ञाय धरिक्तरिक्त प्रचंदपंचसायके.
Dharadharendra Nandini Kuchagrahachitrasheet-
Prakalpaanayakshilpini Trilochane Matirmam ॥7॥
Meaning: The third eye situated on the forehead of Lord Shiva keeps burning with intense fire. This fire had destroyed the power of Kamadeva’s five arrows. He is the one who enhances the beauty of Mother Parvati and is the three-eyed Mahadev. May my intellect and my mind always remain focused on Lord Shiva.
New cloud group Nirudhdurdharspur-
Tkuhu nishithinitamah prabandhabandukandharah.
Nilimpanirjhari Dharastanotu Kriti Sindhurah
Kalanidhanbandhur: Shriyam Jagandhurandhar: ॥8॥
Meaning: Lord Shiva’s throat looks deep and attractive like a group of new clouds. His appearance is as serious as the darkness of a new moonless night. They hold Ganga in their locks and wear elephant skin. May Lord Shiva, who holds the moon on his head and takes charge of the world, bestow us with happiness, glory and prosperity.
Prafull Neel Pankaj Prapanchakalimachta-
Vidambi Kanthkandha Raaruchi Parbandhakandharam
Smarachchidam Purachchidam Bhavachchidam Makhachchidam
Gajacchidandhakacchidam tamantakacchidam bhaje ॥9॥
Meaning: Lord Shiva’s throat appears like the deep aura of a blooming blue lotus. He is the destroyer of Kamadeva, Tripurasura, the bondages of the world and the ego generated in yagya. He also killed Gajasura and Andhakasura and conquered the fear of death. I worship Lord Shiva, who gives freedom from evils and bondages.
Agarvasarvamangala Kalakadambamanjari-
Rasapravaha Madhuri Vijrumbana Madhuvratam.
Smarantakam Puratakam Bhavantakam Makhantakam
Gajantakandhakantakan tamantakantakam bhaje ॥10॥
Meaning: Lord Shiva is the one who stays away from ego and is the source of all auspiciousness. His glory is filled with many arts and qualities, which give pleasure like sweet juice. He is the destroyer of Kamadeva, Tripurasura, the bondages of the world, inappropriate yagya, Gajasura and Andhakasura. I bow to Lord Shiva who conquers the fear of death.
Jayatvadbhravibhram bhramadbhujangamasfur-
दध्गद्गद्वी निर्गमतकराल भाल हव्यावत-
Dhimiddhimiddhimi nanmridangtungmangal-
Sound sequence induced fierce tandav: Shiva: ॥11॥
Meaning: The snakes roaming in the locks of Lord Shiva are shining and flames of fire are coming out from the third eye situated on his forehead. Amidst the slow sound of Mridang and the echo of other auspicious instruments, their fierce orgy begins. Glory to Lord Shiva who performs such a powerful and divine dance.
दृष्द्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजंग मौक्तिकमसर्जो-
रगरिष्ठरतनलोष्ट्योः सुह्रद्विपक्षपक्षयोह।
त्रिनारविंदचक्षुषोह प्रजामहिमहेंद्रायोह
Sam Pravartayanmanah Kada Sadashivam Bhaje ॥12॥
Meaning: For Lord Shiva, a stone and a beautiful bed, a snake and a string of pearls, a precious gem and a lump of earth are equal. They do not discriminate between friend and foe. In his eyes the grass and the lotus, the common man and the great king are all equal. When will I be able to worship Sadashiva with such equanimity in my mind?
Kada Nilimpanirjhari Nikujkotre Vasan
Vimuktadurmati: Always bear the head.
विमुक्तलोलोलोचनो ललामभाललगनकः
Shiveti Mantramuchcharankada Sukhi Bhavamyham ॥13॥
Meaning: The devotee prays that when will he be able to free himself from bad thoughts in his mind by living in a quiet place on the banks of the Ganges. He always wants to salute Lord Shiva with folded hands. Getting away from worldly attachments, with the remembrance of Shiva on his forehead and his devotion in his mind, he wants to continuously chant the ‘Shiva’ mantra. The devotee wishes that in this way he may attain true happiness and peace.
Nilim Nathnagari Kadamba Moulamallika-
Nigumphanirbhaksharanam dhushnikamanoharah.
Tanotu no manomoudam vinodinimahnisham
परिश्रय परम पदं तदंग्जत्विषां चयः ॥14॥
Meaning: Lord Shiva’s head is adorned with a garland decorated with beautiful flowers from the city of Gods. The divine aura of his form and the fragrance of flowers bring joy to the mind. May this beauty and divinity of Lord Shiva keep our minds happy day and night. By his grace may we attain inner joy and spiritual peace.
Prachanda Vadwanal Prabhasubhpracharani
Mahashta Siddhikamini Janavahoot Jalpana.
Vimukt Vam Lochano Vivahkalidhvanih
Shiveti Mantrabhushago Jagajjayaya Jayatam ॥15॥
Meaning: This verse describes the immense power and divine glory of Lord Shiva. His power is as impressive as a huge fire rising in the sea. He is the master of great accomplishments and is beyond worldly attachments. Shiva Mantra is a symbol of his divine identity and power. May such devotion to Shiva pave the way for auspiciousness, victory and welfare in the world.
Iam Hi Nityameva Muktmuktamottam Stavnam
Pathānasmarān bruvannaro visuddhāmeti santatam.
Hare Guru Subhaktimashu Yati Naanyatha Gatin
Vimohanam hi dehna tu shankarsya chintanam ॥16॥
Meaning: The person who regularly recites this excellent stotra, remembers it and recites it with devotion, his mind becomes pure. Devotion towards Lord Shiva and Guru increases within him. This stotra inspires to contemplate the glory of Lord Shiva and divert the mind from worldly attachments and focus on the spiritual path.
Dashavakratrageetam at the end of puja
This: Shambhupujanamidam pathati pradoshhe.
Tasya Sthiraam Rathagajendraturangayuktaam
Lakshmi always gives good wishes to Shambhu ॥17॥
॥ Iti Shiv Tandav Stotram Sampoornam.
Meaning: It is said in this verse that the person who recites this stotra during the worship of Lord Shambhu during Pradosh period, remains blessed by Lord Shiva. According to religious belief, Lord Shiva bestows stable happiness, prosperity and glory to such a devotee. In ancient times, chariots, elephants and horses were considered symbols of prosperity, hence they have been mentioned here as wealth and splendor.
Main meaning of Shiv Tandav Stotra: This stotra praises the power, beauty, renunciation and divine Tandav of Lord Shiva. Through this, the devotee takes refuge in Lord Shiva and wishes for peace of mind, freedom from ego and auspiciousness in life.