Shiva Taandava Stotram

1. Jataatavee Galajjala Pravaaha Paavitasthale

Galevalambya Lambitaam Bhujangatungamaalikaam

Dhamad Dhamad Dhamad Dhamanninaadavadda Marvayam

Chakaara Chandataandavam Tanotu Nah Shivah Shivam

2. Jataa Kataaha Sambhrama Bhramanilimpa Nirjharee

Vilola Veechi Vallaree Viraajamaama Moordhani

Dhagadhagadhaga Jvalal Lalaata Patta Paavake 

Kishora Chandrashekare Ratih Pratikshanam Mama

3. Dharaadharendra Nandinee Vilaasa Bandhu Bandhura

Sphuraddiganta Santati Pramodamaana Maanase

Krupaa Kataaksha Dhoranee Niruddha Durdharaapadi

Kvachid Digambare Mano Vinodametu Vastuni

4. Jataa Bhujanga Pingala Sphuratphanaamaniprabhaa

Kadamba Kunkumadrava Pralipta Digvadhoomukhe

Madaandha Sindhurasphurat Tvaguttareeyamedure

Manovinodam Adbhutam Bibhartu Bhootabhartari

5. Sahasralochana Prabhrutya Sheshalekha Shekhara

Prasoona Dhoolidhoranee Vidhoosaraanghri Peetha Bhooh

Bhujanga Raajamaalayaa Nibaddha Jaatha Jootakah

Shriyai Chiraaya Jaayataam Chakora Bandhushekharah

6. Lalaata Chatvara Jvalad Dhananjaya Sphulingabhaah

Nipeeta Panchasaayakam Namannilimpa Naayakam

Sudhaamayookha Lekhayaa Viraajamaana Shekharah

Mahaakapaali Sampade Shiro Jataalamastu Nah

7. Karaala Bhaala Pattikaa Dhagad Dhagad Dhagajjvalad

Dhananjayaadhareekruta Prachanda Panchasaayake

Dharaa Dharendra Nandinee Kuchaagra Chitrapatraka

Prakalpanaika Shilpini Trilochane Ratir Mama 

8. Naveena Megha Mandali Nirudha Durdharath Sphurat

Kahoo Niseedhi Neetama Prabhandha Bandha Kandhara

Nilimpa Nirjari Darsthanothu Kruti Sindura

Kala Nidhana Bandhura Sriyam Jagat Durandhara

9. Prafulla Neela Pankaja Prapancha Kalima Prabha

Valambhi Kanda Kanthali Ruchi Prabandha Kandharam

Smarschidham Puraschidham Bhavaschidham Makhachidham

Gajachidandakachidham Tam Anthakachidham Bhaje

10. Agarva Sarva Mangalaa Kalaa Kadamba Manjari

Rasa Pravaha Madhuri Vijrumbha Mana Madhu Vratam

Surantakam, Parantakam, Bhavantakam, Makhandakam,

Gajandhakandhakandakam Tamantakantakam Bhaje

11. Jayathwadhabra Vibramadbujaamga Maswasat

Vinirgamat, Kramasphurat, Karala Bhala Havya Vat

Dhimi Dhimi Dhimi Dhwanan Mrudanga Tunga Mangala

Dhwani Karma Pravartita Prachanda Taandava Shiva

12. Drusha Dwichi Tra Talpayor Bhujanga Mouktika Srajo

Garishta Rathna Loshtayo Suhrudhwi Paksha Pakshayo

Trunara Vinda Chakshusho Praja Mahee Mahendrayo

Samapravarthika Kadha Sadashivam Bhajamyaham

13. Kada Nilampa Nirjaree Nikunja Kotare Vasan

Vimuktha Durmathee Sada Sirastanjaleem Vahan

Vilola Lola Lochano Lalama Bhala Lagnaka

Shivethi Manthamucharan Kada Sukhee Bhavamyaham

14. Imam Hi Nithya Meva Mukta Mutamotamam Stavam

Padan, Smaran Broovan Naro Vishudhimeti Santatam

Hare Gurou Subhakthimasu Yati Nanyadha Gateem

Vimohinam Hi Dehinaam Sushakarasya Chithanam

15. Poojavasana Samaye Dasa Vakra Geetam

Ya Shambhu Poojana Param Padti Pradoshe

Tasya Sthiraam Radha Gajendra Turanga Yuktam

Lakshmeem Sadaiva Sumukheem Pradadati Shambu

Iti Ravana Krutam, Shiva Taandava Stotram, Sampoornam

(MEANING)

1. May that Shiva who performs the fierce Tandava dance with water flowing from the forest of His matted hair, and the long garland of serpents around His neck, and Damaruka (in His hand) making dreadful notes, bestow upon us auspiciousness. 

2. Let my mind revel in Shiva having the arched moon on His head which shines with the movement of unsteady waves gushing from the caves of His matted hair, and on whose forehead, the fierce fire burns in His third eye. 

3. Let my mind find joy in the Lord whose compassionate glances destroy the impending misfortunes, whose joy in the mind spreads to all the quarters (of the universe) and who revels in the graceful movements of the daughter of the Lord of mountains (Mother Parvati). 

4. May the mind delight in Shiva, the protector of all beings, who is adorned (on His head) by the serpent that moves on His golden-coloured matted hair, with the lustrous gem on the hood and by a garment of shining skin covered by fragrant dark Sindhura (vermillion powder), and who decorates the face of the Goddess of directions with melted vermillion made out of Kadamba flowers, spreading from His sweating face (due to the fierce dance). 

5. May Shiva, adorned by the friend of the Chakora birds - the moon - whose matted hair is held together by the garland formed by the Lord of serpents, and whose foot-stool shines with the pollen-dust of flowers offered at His feet by Indra an others, bless us with eternal wealth. 

6. May Shiva, whose forehead shines like the sacrificial altar from which emanated the spark that destroyed the flower-arrowed Manmatha, whose head is adorned by matted hair, shining with the arc of lunar rays and who is ever saluted by the master of demi-Gods (Indra), bless us with wealth. 

7. May my mind delight in Shiva, from whose broad forehead emerged the flaming fire that burnt down Manmatha (cupid), whose chest has impressed marks of leaves decorating the body of the daughter of mountains (Mother Parvati). 

8. May Shiva, the Master of the universe, whose head is beautified by the moon, who inspite of being surrounded by dark clouds passing over the peak of Mount Kailasha, shines to destroy the darkness of the night, and whose body is adorned by the shining elephant-skin, bless us with wealth. 

9. I adore Shiva, the destroyer of the cycle of birth and death, who has put an end to the sacrifice of the arrogant Daksha and who has slayed the God of death (Yama), the demons Andhaka and Tripura, the rogue elephant, and even Manmatha (cupid).

10. I adore Shiva, whose body is drenched by honey dripping from the Kadamba flowers in the garland around His matted hair and who is the destroyer of Yama, Andhaka, Tripura, the rogue elephant and the sacrifice of the egoistic Daksha, and who puts an end to the cycle of birth and death. 

11. The dreadful fire on the forehead of Shiva burns fiercely being fanned by the breath of the moving serpent adorning His head and His Tandava dance starts with slow movements in the beginning and reaches the crescendo with the auspicious, high pitched sounds of the resounding Mrudanga. 

12. A true devotee (like Shiva) should have equanimity whether he is (sleeping) on bare ground or on a soft bed, he should treat friend and foe or pauper and king alike, and for him, a gem and a stone or a lotus and a blade of grass should be the same. When will I develop such equal-mindedness and serve the ever-auspicious Shiva?

13. When will I reside in the creeper-covered cave of the Divine Himalaya mountain, cast out all wicked thoughts, fix my eyes in a steady gaze on Your lofty fore-head, prostrate before You, uttering the sacred Mantra (Shiva) and attain joy?

14. The one who chants, reads or recites this supreme Stotra (prayer) everyday, will attain purity of mind and steady devotion to the preceptor and God. There is no other way for the beings to attain liberation than contemplation of God. 

15. To the one who chants this song adoring Shambu composed by the ten-headed Ravana, at the end of worship in the morning or evening, He grants lasting wealth with chariots, elephants and horses, blessed by the auspicious faced Goddess of wealth – Lakshmi. 

(Note: This Stotram is composed by the demon king Ravana, a great devotee of Lord Shiva)

Source: Hymn 27, Section 2, Stotrams: Sanskrit Hymns, Vandana: Students Prayer Book