The Shiva Tandava
Stotram or Shiv Tandav Stotram is regarded as a unique hymn or
Stuti of Lord Shiva, in Sanskrit language and it is surprizing but true, that
it was created by the master scholar demon King Ravana of Lanka who is famous
because of the epic Ramayana. He was versatile, skilled in many things and art
forms and had in-depth knowledge of the Shastras and Vedas. A Mahapandit in his
own right of that time.
As per Hinduism, Lord Shiva is highly
revered and part of the Divine Trinity of Brahma (creator of Universe), Vishnu (preserver
of Universe) and Mahesh or Lord Shiva (the destroyer). Though Lord Shiva is
considered the destroyer but for many He is the Supreme Lord who is the creator
as well as the destroyer. With no beginning nor no end, Lord Shiva is infinite.
He is mostly portrayed as the calm, peaceful mendicant, in deep meditation. He
is known as Bholenath because He is very easy to please. But when Lord Shiva is
irked, then even the Gods fear the outcome.
Ravana or
King Ravana has been branded as the biggest villain of all times because of the
story of Ravana abducting Lord Rama's wife Sitajee as per what the epic
Ramayana narrates.
Ravana was one of the most ardent devotees
of Lord Shiva and was bestowed with several boons by the Lord.
Written in the most articulate, fluent
manner, there are 16 verses in the Shiva Tandava Stotram lyrics. The Shiva
Tandava Stotram praises the Divine Lord Shiva's beauty and the Tandava/Tandav
dance of Lord Shiva.
As per the ancient Hindu texts, the Shiva
Tandava Stotram was an impromptu creation of Ravana. The reason which prompted
Ravana to recite the Shiva Tandava Stotram has a legend attached to it.
The Legend of Shiva Tandava Stotram
The widely accepted version of the legend
of Shiva Tandava Stotram is:-
It is said that once Ravana was travelling
in his Pushpak Vimaan (the flying chariot) which is said to have flown at super
fast speed. However, the Pushpak Vimaan could not move ahead when it reached
Mount Kailasha, which was and is known as Lord Shiva's abode. Ravana was
perturbed at being obstructed, more so because Mount Kailasha requested Ravana
to change his route as Lord Shiva and Parvati were resting and should not be
disturbed. Ravana's ego got the better of him, he decided to physically move
Mount Kailash and set it aside so that he could move ahead freely. And this
attitude of Ravana was despite the fact that he was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
So Ravana with his sheer physical strength,
lifted Mount Kailasha causing tremors all over earth. Noticing this, Lord Shiva
is said to have pressed Mount Kailasha with His big toe. The force of the
pressure was such that the mighty King Ravana's physical self could bear it,
the mountain fell on his arm crushing it causing such tremendous pain that
Ravana's roar of pain was heard in Heaven, on Earth and even the world under.
In pain Ravana chanted all the mantras he knew to please Lord Shiva.
Understanding his mistake he asked the Lord to forgive him and release his hand
from under the mountain. But the Lord remained unmoved by all the pleas of His
devotee.
The story says that Ravana remained in this
state for 14 days. On the last day, it was Pradosha Kaal, when Ravana
spontaneously composed and recited/sang the Shiva Tandava Stotram. The
intensity was tremendous, rhythm was exceptional, the Shiva Tandava Stotram
lyrics flowed fluently from Ravana, with such devotion and love for Lord Shiva
that it impressed Lord Shiva completely. Pleased with one of His greatest devotee's
rendition, Lord Shiva forgave Ravana, released him and gave him boons, one of
which was the “Chandrahas" sword (an indestructible sword, desired even by
the Gods).
The composer, Ravan was an epitome of
achievements, there was no 'lack' in his life but still in the verse towards
the end of the stotra he asks the Lord "when will I be happy?". It
was perhaps his ego, his attachments to worldly things, especially his power
hungry nature which left him feeling a void.
Benefits
of Shiva Tandava Stotram-
The Shiva Tandava Stotram is considered the most powerful Stuti of Lord Shiva and is well known. Memorizing the Shiva Tandava Stotram may seem difficult in the beginning but can be learnt easily if one delves into the meaning of the words and verses and integrate that in within one self. Once learnt it can be recited by anyone, at anytime. It is beyond cast, religion creed, colour, sex and can be chanted on any day. It is said that for maximum benefits it should definitely be chanted on Pradosh Kaal, which falls twice in a month on the thirteenth day of every fortnight. One hour before the Sunset and after the Sunset is considered extra effective for chanting the Shiva Tandava Stotram as Ravana recited it during that time period and was forgiven by the Lord for his act of trying to move Mount Kailasha.
●
This
hymn/eulogy to Lord Shiva, is almost perfect in rhythm and the Shiva Tandava
Stotram lyrics are so potent that merely hearing it can transport a person to a
state of trance of a different spiritual level.
●
The Shiva
Tandava Stotram when chanted properly, with correct pronunciation can give
miraculous and magical results. It is a stotra which can help to achieve many
things that we want provided the intension is pure.
●
The Shiva
Tandav Stotram has high vibrations which can cleanse the energies of any space
and of the person who chants, replacing it with positive energies.
●
The verses
of the Shiva Tandava Stotram have the potential to give benevolent outcome in
all aspects of life, like for happiness, prosperity, for 'siddhis' etc.
Example of verses:-
For all round
prosperity:
sahasra-lochana-prabhṛtya-śeṣalekha-śekhara-
prasūna-dhūli-dhoraṇī
vidhū-sarāṅghri-pīṭha-bhūḥ
bhujaṅga-rājamālayā
nibaddha-jāaṭajūṭaka-
śhriyei chirāya
jāyatāṁ chakora-bandhu-śekharaḥ
Basic Meaning - It
means may the Lord who has the crescent Moon on His head, His hair is tied with
the King of snakes and whose feet are placed on the pollen of flowers from Lord
Indra's head and that of other demi-Gods. May that Lord produce prosperity.
To remove
sufferings of all kinds:
prachand-vāda-vānala-prabhashubha-pracharini
mahashta-siddhi-kamini-jaṇāvahutā-jalpana
।
vimukt vaam lochano
vivaahkalikadhwaniḥ
shiveti mantra
bhushago jaga-jayāy jayatāṁ
Basic Meaning-
The Shakti (energy)
which is capable of burning all the sins and spreading welfare for all and the
pleasant sound of the pious Shiv mantra at the time of Shiv-Parvati Vivah
(Mahashivratri) may win over & destroy all the sufferings of the world.
Therefore, the
Shiva Tandava Stotram is power packed and can bring only beneficial positive
outcome with Lord Shiva's benevolent blessings.
