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Shiva Thandava Stotram Translate the Page
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By Ravana 
Translated By P. R. Ramachander

It is believed that Lord Shiva is the king of all dancers. He was an expert in the
thandava  style  of  dancing.  This  is  a  vigorous  manly  style  of  dancing.  This
stotra is about him while in the act of dancing. Alliteration and onomatopoeia
create  roiling  waves  of  resounding  beauty  in  this  great  stotra.  This  stotra
which  is  so  majestic  was  composed  by  none  other  than  Ravana,  the  demon
king,  who  ruled  over  Sri  Lanka,  who  was  one  of  the  great  devotees  of  Lord
Shiva.  Once  the  proud  Ravana  conquered  the  entire  India  and  approached
Mount  Kailas  on  top  of  which  Lord  Shiva  resides  with  his  consort  Goddess Prayer Links
Parvathi.  Ravana  called  Lord  Shiva  to  come  down.  When  he  did  not,  he 108 Names of Lord Shiva
uprooted  the  mountain  with  his  twenty  hands.  This  made  Goddess  Parvathi (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/108names.asp)
jittery.  Then  Lord  Shiva  pressed  down  the  mountain  with  his  thumb.  Ravana Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
was  crushed  by  the  weight  of  the  mountain.  There  he  praised  Lord  Shiva  by (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/aparadha.asp)
singing the Sama Veda and this great stotra composed by him. Lord Shiva was Ardha Nareeswara Ashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/ardhanari.asp)
pleased andpardoned him.
Devotional Prayers
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/asptemplate02.asp)
Jatatavee gala jjala pravaha pavitha sthale,  Bilwashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/bilwa.asp)
Gale avalabhya lambithaam bhujanga thunga malikaam, 
Chandrasekharashtakam
Dama ddama dama ddama ninnadava damarvayam,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/chandra.asp)
Chidambareswara Stotram
Chakara chanda thandavam thanothu na shiva shivam. 1 (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/chidambar.asp)
Daridraya Dahana Shiva Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/daridraya.asp)
From the forest of his matted lock, water flows and wets his Kalabhairava Stotram
neck,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/kalabhairava.asp)
Lalitha Sahasranamam
On which hangs the greatest of snake like a garland,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/lalitha.asp)
Lingashtakam
And his drum incessantly plays damat, damat, damat, damat,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/lingashtakam.asp)
Shiva Nama Malyashtakam
And Shiva is engaged in the very vigorous manly dance, 
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/malayashtakam.asp
To bless and shower, prosperity on all of us. Shiva Mangalashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/mangalashtakam.as
Margabandhu Stotram
Jata kataha sambhramabrama nillimpa nirjari,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/margabandhu.asp)
Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram
Vilola veechi vallari viraja mana moordhani, 
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/mrityu.asp)
Dhaga dhaga daga jjwala lalata patta pavake, 
 Nathopadesa Stotram
Kishora Chandra shekare rathi prathi kshanam mama. 2
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/nathopadesa.asp)
Shiva Panchakshara Stotram
The celestial river agitatedly moving through his matted hair,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/panchakshara.asp)
Parameshwara Stotram
Which makes his head shine with those soft waves,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/parameswara.asp)
Pasupathyashtakam
And his forehead shining like a brilliant fire­daga daga, 
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/pasupathya.asp)
And the crescent of moon which is an ornament to his head,  Pradosha Mahatmyam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/pradosha.asp)
Makes my mind love him each and every second. Shiva Raksha Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/raksha.asp)
Satha Rudriyam
Dara darendra nandini vilasa bhandhu bhandura,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/rudram.asp)
Sphuradigantha santhathi pramodha mana manase,  Shiva Sadakshara Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sadakshara.asp)
Krupa kadaksha dhorani niruddha durdharapadi,  Sadasivashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sadasiva.asp)
Kwachi digambare mano vinodhamethu vasthuni. 3 Shiva Sahasra Namam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sahasranamam.asp
Samkarashtakam
The consort of the ever sportive daughter of the mountain, 
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/samkarashtakam.a
Whose mind rejoices at her side long glances,  Sasakti Shiva Navakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shashakti.asp)
With the stream of merciful look which removes hardships,  Shiva Mahimah Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivamahima.asp)
Makes my mind take pleasure in him who wears the directions
Shivashtakam
as apparel. (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivashtakam.asp)
Shiv Chalisa
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivchalisa.asp)
Jada bhujanga pingala sphurath phana mani prabha,  Veda Sara Shiva Sthavam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sthavam.asp)
Kadamba kumkuma drava praliptha digwadhu mukhe,  Sri Viswanatha Suprabathashtakam
Madhandha sindhura sphurathwagu utthariya medhure,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/suprabhatam.asp)
Shiva Thandava Stotram
Mano vinodhamadhbutham bibarthu bhootha bharthari. 4 (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/tandava.asp)
Thiruvempavai
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/thiruvempai.asp)
He, with the shining lustrous gem on the hood   The Thousand Names of Lord Siva
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/thousandnames.asp
Of the serpent entwining his matted locks, 
Vaidyanatha Ashtakam,
He, who is with his bride whose face is decorated   (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/vaidyanathashta.as
Vaidyanatha Namaskaram
By the melting of red saffron Kumkum,  (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/vaidyanathnamas.a

And He who wears on his shoulder the hide 
Of the elephant which was blind with ferociousness, 

Makes my mind happy and contented,  
In him who is the leader of Bhoothas*. 
* can be taken to mean as souls or mythical beings guarding
Kailasa.

Sahasra lochana prabhoothyasesha lekha shekhara, 
Prasoona dhooli dhorani vidhu sarangri peedabhu, 
Bhujangaraja Malaya nibhadha jada jhootaka, 

Sriyai chiraya jayatham chakora bandhu shekhara. 5

May he whose foot stool is decorated  

By the ever flowing flower dust. 
Falling the bent head of Indra and other Gods, 
And may He, whose matted locks are tied by the king of
serpents, 

And may he, whose head is decorated  
By the crescent moon who a friend of Chakora* 

Shower prosperity for ever on me. 
* A mythical bird which lives by drinking moon light.

Lalata chathwara jwaladhanam jaya sphulingabha, 

Nipeetha pancha sayagam saman nilimpanayakam, 
Sudha mayookha lekhaya virajamana shekharam, 
Maha kapali sampade, siro jadalamasthu na. 6

May he with the raging fire  
In his forehead, who burnt the God of love, 
May He who is forever being saluted by king of devas, 
And may he who has collected  

The cool ambrosia like crescent moon on his head, 
And may he who wears the collection of skulls, 
Bless us to create wealth for us.

Karala bhala pattika dhagadhaga jjwala, 
Ddhanam jayahuthi krutha prachanda pancha sayage , 
Dharadharendra nandhini kuchagra chithrapathraka, 

Prakalpanaika shilpini, trilochane rather mama. 7

May He in whose dreadful forehead, fire burns "Dhahaga",
"Dhaga," 

May He who burnt the one with five arrows* as an offering to
fire, 
May He who is the only one who can write decorative lines, 
On the tip of the breasts of the daughter of the mountain, 

And May He with three eyes make mind enjoy in him. 
* The God of love

Naveena megha mandali nirudha durdharath sphurath, 

Kahoo niseedhi neethama prabhandha bandha kandhara, 
Nilimpa nirjari darsthanothu kruthi sindhura, 
Kala nidhana bandhura sriyam jagat durandhara. 8

May He whose black neck is as dark   Related Links
As several layers of new clouds,  Hymns to Siva
(http://www.hinduwebsite.com/siva/sivahymns.asp)
Packed closely on the night of the new moon.  Significance of Lord Siva
May He who wears the celestial river on his head,  (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/siva/sivaintrod.asp)
The meaning of Shankara or Samkara
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Aspects of Siva
May He who is very handsome because of the crescent that he (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/siva.asp)
The Secret of Panchakshara Mantra
wears, 
(http://www.allsaivism.com/articles/panchakshara.as
And may he who carries the entire burden of the world,  Celextel's Online Spiritual Library
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Prafulla neela pankaja prapancha kalima prabha,  Books On Prayers
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Smarschidham puraschidham bhavaschidham makhachidham,  Kashmir)
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/088706
Gajachidandakachidham tham anthakachidham bhaje. 9 20/0887064930)~ Constantina Rhodes
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(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/159179
Similar to the well opened blue lotus, 
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On which all the temples depend for prayer,  The Constant Companion 3 Ed
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158638
And him who destroyed God of love, the three cities,  20/1586380036)~ Eknath Easwaran
Divine Mother, Blessed Mother: Hindu
The worldly problems and yaga destroyers, 
Goddesses and the Virgin Mary
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20/0195170377)~ Francis X. Clooney
death., Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/097900
20/0979008107)~ Arun Shanbhag
Agarva sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjari,  Darshan: Sweet Sounds of Surrender
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Suranthakam, paranthakam, bhavanthakam, makhandakam,  Painted Prayers: Women's Art in Village
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Vedic Mantras for Peace and Healing
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And him who destroyed God of love, the three cities,   20/B000V8RHDY)~ Amma Sri
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The worldly problems and yaga destroyers,  Keys to Sadhana
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And him who destroyed elephant faced Asura and also God of
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death. Karunamayi Vijayeswari Devi
Hindu Prayer and Worship
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/159771
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Annapurna
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Dhimi dhimi dhimi dhwanan mrudanga thunga mangala,  20/1887472851)~ Swami Satyananda
Saraswati
Dhwani karma pravarthitha prachanda thandawa shiva. 11 Nama Japa: Prayer of the Name in the
Hindu and Christian Traditions
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/999768
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Supreme, teach me how to cry
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10/40 Window Prayer Calendar: A Daily
sky,  Guide to Praying for the Least Reached
Peoples of the 10/40 Window
And to Him who dances to the changing tunes and fierce sound, 
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/097629
Of Dhimi, dhimi, dhimi coming out the auspicious drum. 20/0976293323)~ David Taylor
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(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/812080
Drusha dwichi thra thalpayor bhujanga moukthika srajo,  20/8120800117)~ N. K. Kotru
The Beggar: Meditations and Prayers on
Garishta rathna loshtayo suhrudhwi paksha pakshayo, 
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Samapravarthika kadha sadashivam bhajamyaham. 12
When will I be able to worship that eternal shiva, 
With a feeling of equanimity towards snake and a garland, 
Towards great gems and dirt or friends and enemies, 

Or Towards a blade of grass and lotus like eyes,  
Or emperor and ordinary men.

Kada nilampa nirjaree nikunja kotare vasan, 
Vimuktha durmathee sada sirasthanjaleem vahan, 
Vilola lola lochano lalama bhala lagnaka, 
Shivethi manthamucharan kada sukhee bhavamyaham. 13

When will I live the life of pleasure, meditating on Shiva, 
Sitting near a hollow place near the celestial river Ganga, 
Releasing all my bad thoughts and with hands clasped above my
head, 
After releasing all passion for the pretty women with shifting
eyes?

Imam hi nithya meva muktha muthamothamam sthavam, 
Padan, smaran broovan naro vishudhimethi santhatham,
Hare Gurou subhakthimasu yathi nanyadha gatheem, 
Vimohinam hi dehinaam sushakarasya chithanam. 14

This greater than the great prayer if read, 
Remembered, or recited daily by man,

Will make him pure, eternal, 
And he would get devotion to Shiva leading him to salvation, 
For remembering Lord Shiva, is a sure method of removal of
detachment.

Poojavasana samaye dasa vakhra geetham, 
Ya shambhu poojana param padthi pradhoshe, 
Thasya sthiraam radha gajendra thuranga yuktham, 

Lakshmeem sadaiva sumukheem pradadathi shambu. 15

He who sings this song composed by the ten headed one, 
At the end of every worship or, 
Reads it after worship of Shiva on the Pradosha day, 
Will get by the blessing of lord Shiva, chariots, elephants and
horses, 

As well as the affectionate sight of god of wealth.

Ithi Ravana krutham, 
Shiva thandava stotram,  
Sampoornam,
Thus ends the prayer of the dancing Shiva, 

Composed by Ravana.

Sects Of Saivism Saiva Pantheon Prayers

Saiva Siddhanta Ganesha Pradosha Mahatmyam
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/siddha/siddhasaivism.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/pantheon/ganesha.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/pradosha.asp)
Vira Saivism Skanda Kumara Shiva Raksha Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/vira/virasaivism.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/pantheon/skanda.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/raksha.asp)
Kashmiri Saivism Shakti Satha Rudriyam
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/kashmir/kashmirisaivism.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/pantheon/shakti.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/rudram.asp)
Gorakhnatha Saivism Saiva Texts
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/goraksha/gorakshasaivism.asp)
Shiva Sadakshara Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sadakshara.asp)
Devi Gita
Pasupatha Saivism (http://www.saivism.net/etexts/devi/devigita.asp)Sadasivashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/pasupatha/pasupatha.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sadasiva.asp)
Siva and Saivism Sects
The Ganapatya Sect Shiva Sahasra Namam
(http://www.saivism.net/etexts/externalworship.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/sects/ganapatya.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sahasranamam.asp)
Shakti as Mantra
Articles on Saivism Samkarashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/etexts/shaktiasmantra.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/samkarashtakam.asp)
Agamas The Siva Sutras
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/agamas.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/etexts/sivasutras.asp) Sasakti Shiva Navakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shashakti.asp)
Aspects Of Lord Siva Sacred Places of Mother Goddess
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/aspectsofsiva.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/etexts/vowdevi.asp) Shiva Mahimnah Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivamahima.asp)
Siva In Malay Tradition Worship Of The World Mother
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/bataraguru.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/etexts/worshipmother.asp) Shivashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivashtakam.asp)
Sagara Manthan Eightfold Yoga and Mantra Siddhi
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/churning.asp) (http://www.saivism.net/etexts/yogamantrasiddhi.asp)Shiv Chalisa
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/shivchalisa.asp)
Durites Of Householder
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/duties.asp)
Prayers Veda Sara Shiva Sthavam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/sthavam.asp)
108 Names of Lord Shiva
The Birth River Ganges (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/108names.asp) Sri Viswanatha Suprabathashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/ganges.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/suprabhatam.asp)
1000 Names of Sri Lalitha
The Story Of Mahadev (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/lalitha.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/mahadev.asp) Shiva Thandava Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/tandava.asp)
Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
Maya, The Delusion (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/aparadha.asp) Thiruvempavai
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/maya.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/thiruvempai.asp)
Ardha Nareeswara Ashtakam
Symbolism of Nataraja (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/ardhanari.asp) The Thousand Names of Lord Siva
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/nataraja.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/thousandnames.asp)
Bilwashtakam
Pasa in Saivism (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/bilwa.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/pasa.asp) Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/vaidyanathashta.asp)
Chandrasekharashtakam
Pasu The Deluded Soul (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/chandra.asp) Vaidyanatha Namaskaram
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/pasu.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/vaidyanathnamas.asp)
Chidambareswara Stotram
Pati the Lord of Creation (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/chidambar.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/pati.asp)
Daridraya Dahana Shiva Stotram
Pati and Pasu (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/daridraya.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/patipasu.asp)
A Prayer to Kalabhairava
The Liberation of Souls (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/kalabhairava.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/sayujya.asp)
Lingashtakam
Shakti, the Energy of Siva (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/lingashtakam.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/shakti.asp)
Shiva Nama Malyashtakam
Shakti And Maya (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/malayashtakam.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/shaktimaya.asp)
Shiva Mangalashtakam
The Worship of Sivalingas (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/mangalashtakam.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/sivalinga.asp)
Margabandhu Stotram
The 36 Tattvas (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/margabandhu.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/tattvas.asp)
Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram
Siva­­Ideal of Manhood (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/mrityu.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/visionofsiva.asp)
Nathopadesa Storam
How To Worship Lord Shiva (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/nathopadesa.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/articles/worship.asp)
Shiva Panchakshara Stotram
History Of Saivism (http://www.saivism.net/prayers/panchakshara.asp)
Evolution Of Saivism Parameshwara Stotram
(http://www.saivism.net/history/bhagavpasupata.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/parameswara.asp)
Saivism In Southern India Pasupathyashtakam
(http://www.saivism.net/history/sankarasivaism.asp)
(http://www.saivism.net/prayers/pasupathya.asp)
Siva and Vishnu
(http://www.saivism.net/history/sivaandvishnu.asp)

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