In this verse, Ravana sings the praise of Shiva and the vigor of his movements. In converse, the crescent Moon shines on his head, worn like an ornament. His forehead dazzles as he dances, looking like fire. The river Ganges moves in an agitated manner through Shiva’s hair, creating waves in motion that glorify his head. Shiva performs the Thandava, and his long locks fly around his head. Kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama. Jatakatahasambhrama bhramanilimpanirjhari He also describes the physique of Shiva, the features that adorn him like jewels, and the spiritual energy radiating from him as he dances. As Shiva starts the Thandava (cosmic dance), Ravana describes his appearance, in terms of beauty unleashed in a wild, natural, and untamed way. He is Mahadev, the deity of deities, and has the power to transform the universe. In the above verse, Ravana describes Shiva, the Supreme Being within Shaivism. Shiva danced the cosmic dance to bless and shower human beings with prosperity. Shiva’s dance denotes masculinity, vigor, and power. The drum beats of the Damaru was the base for the recognition of the Sanskrit language. Shiva’s drum, the Damaru (symbol of infinity), has a powerful rhythm and releases spiritual energy when he dances. Shiva, when he starts performing the Tandav (cosmic) dance, has the holy Ganges start to flow from his matted locks through his neck, around which the revered snake, Vasuki, coiled majestically, sits like a graceful garland. Galeavalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikamĬhakara chandtandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam. Translation and Meaning of the Shiva Tandava Stotram The hymn has 16 verses, and each of them describes Shiva‘s eternal beauty and power in great detail. The Stotram highlights how every part of Shiva resonates when he dances and impacts nature too. Ravana’s pride and reckless disrespect angered Shiva, and his Thandava, an aggressive dance, releases destructive energies and destroys creation. The ‘Maha Pralaya’ (great holocaust) starts when Shiva starts his Thandava, his cosmic dance. These verses form the Shiva Thandava Stotram.Ĭreation is drawn back into the Great Void, and it ends. To appease Shiva, Ravana composed and sang the verses, dedicating them to Shiva. He then realized Shiva’s power and his own folly. Shiva was angered and placed his big toe on Kailasa, which crashed onto Ravana. Legend has it that once he tried to take over Kailasa, the abode of Shiva. Ravana’s power made him greedy, wanting to attain more wealth and power.
The story goes that Ravana was a mighty king and a consummate Sanskrit scholar who was renowned for his knowledge. Ravana, the King of Lanka, was an ardent devotee of Shiva and an accomplished scholar in Navavyakarana (nine forms of Sanskrit grammar). The Stotram resonates with the description of Shiva’s power and beauty. The Shiva Thandava Stotram, a Hindu hymn, was written in praise of Shiva, one of the Trimurti (one among three) of Hindu Gods.