Shiv Tandav Stotram is a poem in Sanskrit that praises Lord Shiva and is known for describing His form and energy.
Shiv Tandav Stotram is said to be written by Ravana, the King of Lanka, from the Ramayana. The stotram was composed in rhythmic Sanskrit.
The Story of the Stotram
A popular story relates Shiv Tandav Stotram to the devotion of Ravana to Shiva.
In this story, Ravana tried to lift Kailasha (Shiva’s abode), and Shiva, in His cosmic form, pressed down Kailasha and trapped Ravana beneath it.
From that trapped position, Ravana is said to have produced the Shiv Tandav Stotram.
The story appears in Hindu mythological literature and varies across different regions of India.
Why Does Shiv Tandav Stotram Feel So Powerful?
Shiv Tandav Stotram is written in strikingly visual language. It describes the matted locks, the Ganga, the moon, the serpent, and the energy of the Tandava.
Because of this, the stotram is a powerful poem to hear on its own. This is one of the reasons it has become popular well outside temple premises.
Listening to Shiv Tandav
Shiv Tandav Stotram can be enjoyed as focused listening, and it can be appreciated even more deeply alongside a translation.
Try to notice how many symbols of Shiva appear in the poem. The more you concentrate, the deeper the poem becomes.