What is this mantra?
A hymn of praise to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. It describes his wild, joyful Tandava dance — the Ganga flowing through his matted hair, a snake around his neck, the moon on his head and the damru drum beating “ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ” — and asks him to bless everyone with goodness (śivam).
Source: Traditionally ascribed to Ravana, the learned king of Lanka, who is said to have composed it in praise of Shiva. The commonly recited version has 15 verses; editions differ slightly in wording and order. · Language: Sanskrit
Original text
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥१॥
Transliteration
jaṭāṭavī-galaj-jala-pravāha-pāvita-sthale
gale’valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga-tuṅga-mālikām |
ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ-ḍaman-ninādavaḍ-ḍamarvayaṃ
cakāra caṇḍa-tāṇḍavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1 ||
Meaning
A hymn of praise to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. It describes his wild, joyful Tandava dance — the Ganga flowing through his matted hair, a snake around his neck, the moon on his head and the damru drum beating “ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ” — and asks him to bless everyone with goodness (śivam).
All 15 verses, with meaning
The commonly recited text. Editions differ slightly in wording and verse order.
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जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥१॥जिनकी जटाओं से बहती गंगा ने धरती को पवित्र किया, जिनके गले में बड़े साँपों की माला है, जो डमरू की “डमड्-डमड्” ध्वनि पर प्रचण्ड ताण्डव करते हैं — वे शिव हम सबका कल्याण करें।
With the Ganga flowing from his hair, a great snake around his neck and the damru beating “ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ”, Shiva danced his mighty Tandava. May he bless us all.
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जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी- विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥२॥जिनके सिर पर गंगा की लहरें जटाओं में घूमती हैं, माथे पर अग्नि “धगद्-धगद्” जलती है और जिनके सिर पर नया चाँद सजा है — ऐसे शिव में मेरा मन हर पल लगा रहे।
The waves of the heavenly river swirl in his hair, a fire blazes on his forehead and a young crescent moon shines on his head. May my love for him grow every moment.
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धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर- स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे ।
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥३॥जो पर्वतराज की बेटी पार्वती के साथ प्रसन्न रहते हैं, जिनकी कृपा-दृष्टि बड़ी-बड़ी मुसीबतों को रोक देती है — उन दिगम्बर शिव में मेरा मन आनंद पाए।
He rejoices with Parvati, daughter of the mountain king, and his kind glance stops even the hardest troubles. May my mind find joy in him.
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जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा- कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥४॥जिनकी जटाओं में साँपों के फन की मणियाँ चमकती हैं और सब दिशाओं को रंग देती हैं — सब जीवों के पालनहार उन शिव में मेरा मन अद्भुत आनंद पाए।
The jewels on the hoods of the snakes in his hair light up every direction with colour. May my mind delight in Shiva, who cares for all living beings.
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सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर- प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः ।
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ॥५॥इन्द्र आदि सब देवता जिनके चरणों में फूल चढ़ाते हैं, जिनकी जटाएँ साँपों के राजा से बँधी हैं और सिर पर चाँद है — वे शिव हमें सदा सुख-समृद्धि दें।
Indra and all the gods bow at his feet with flowers; his hair is tied with the king of snakes and the moon rests on his head. May he bring us lasting good fortune.
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ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा- निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् ।
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः ॥६॥जिनके माथे की अग्नि ने कामदेव को शांत कर दिया, जिनके आगे देवताओं के राजा भी झुकते हैं और जिनके सिर पर चाँदनी चमकती है — वे शिव हमें आशीर्वाद दें।
The fire of his forehead calmed Kamadeva, the god of desire; even the king of the gods bows to him, and moonlight shines on his head. May he bless us.
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करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल- द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके ।
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक- प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ॥७॥जिनके माथे की तेज़ अग्नि “धगद्-धगद्” जलती है, और जो पार्वती जी को सुंदर चित्रों से सजाने वाले अद्वितीय कलाकार भी हैं — उन त्रिनेत्र शिव में मेरा प्रेम हो।
The fire on his forehead blazes fiercely, yet he is also the one artist who lovingly decorates Parvati with beautiful patterns. May I love the three-eyed Shiva.
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नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्- कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः ।
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरन्धरः ॥८॥जिनका नीला कंठ नए बादलों और अमावस की रात जैसा गहरा है, जो गंगा को धारण करते हैं, चाँद से सुशोभित हैं और पूरे संसार का भार उठाते हैं — वे शिव हमें सुख दें।
His throat is dark as new rain-clouds on a moonless night; he holds the Ganga, wears the moon and carries the whole world. May he give us good fortune.
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प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा- वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् ।
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदान्धकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ॥९॥खिले नीले कमल जैसे सुंदर नीले कंठ वाले, और हर बुराई, अहंकार व भय को मिटाने वाले शिव को मेरा नमन है।
I worship Shiva, whose throat is blue like a blooming lotus, and who destroys every evil, every pride and every fear.
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अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी- रसप्रवाहमाधुरीविजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् ।
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ॥१०॥जो माँ पार्वती (सर्वमंगला) की कलाओं की मिठास में भौंरे की तरह आनंदित रहते हैं, और जो हर बुराई का अंत करते हैं — उन शिव को मेरा नमन है।
Like a bee enjoying sweet nectar, he delights in the beauty of Parvati, the all-auspicious; and he puts an end to every evil. I worship him.
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जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वसद्- विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् ।
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल- ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तितप्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ॥११॥घूमते हुए साँपों की फुफकार, माथे की चमकती अग्नि, और मृदंग की “धिमिद्-धिमिद्” मंगल ध्वनि पर प्रचण्ड ताण्डव करने वाले शिव की जय हो!
Victory to Shiva! Snakes swirl and hiss, the fire on his forehead flashes, and to the joyful beat of the mridang — “dhimid-dhimid” — he dances his mighty Tandava.
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दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्- गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समप्रवृत्तिकः कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम् ॥१२॥पत्थर हो या सुंदर बिस्तर, साँप हो या मोतियों की माला, मिट्टी हो या रत्न, मित्र हो या शत्रु, आम लोग हों या राजा — सबको एक समान देखते हुए मैं कब सदाशिव की भक्ति करूँ?
A stone or a soft bed, a snake or a pearl necklace, a clod of earth or a jewel, a friend or a foe, a common person or a king — when will I see them all as equal, and worship Shiva?
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कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन् ।
विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मन्त्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ॥१३॥कब मैं गंगा के किनारे किसी कुंज में रहकर, बुरे विचार छोड़कर, हाथ जोड़कर “शिव” मंत्र का जाप करते हुए सच्चा सुख पाऊँ?
When will I live in a quiet grove by the Ganga, free of bad thoughts, hands folded, chanting “Shiva” — and be truly happy?
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इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेति सन्ततम् ।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम् ॥१४॥जो इस श्रेष्ठ स्तुति को रोज़ पढ़ता, याद करता और बोलता है, उसका मन पवित्र होता है और उसे शिव (गुरु) की सच्ची भक्ति मिलती है। शिव का स्मरण मन के मोह को दूर करता है।
Whoever reads, remembers and recites this finest of hymns every day becomes pure in heart and finds true devotion. Thinking of Shiva clears away confusion.
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पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे ।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥१५॥जो प्रदोष के समय पूजा के अंत में दशमुख रावण द्वारा गाया यह स्तोत्र पढ़ता है, शिव उसे सदा स्थिर सुख-समृद्धि देते हैं।
Whoever recites this hymn, sung by ten-headed Ravana, at the end of evening worship (pradosh), is blessed by Shiva with lasting happiness and prosperity.
Traditional significance
Famous for its powerful, drum-like rhythm (the pañcacāmara metre), it is recited on Mondays, during Shravan month and on Mahashivratri. Many children first meet it as a chant they love for its sound, long before they understand the words.
How it is traditionally used
Often recited at evening worship (pradosh) or played on Mahashivratri. For children, the first verse alone is a lovely start — clap the rhythm while saying it.
Pronunciation
It moves in a steady beat: short-long, short-long. Say it slowly at first, one half-line at a time. In “ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ” the “ḍ” is a hard d with the tongue curled back.
What does research say?
Traditional belief
In Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, mantras are believed to carry spiritual power, to focus the mind in prayer and to bring blessings, protection or peace. These are matters of faith and culture, and they are valued as such by millions of families.
Evidence-based research
Research on chanting, meditation and slow rhythmic breathing suggests that these practices may influence relaxation, attention or perceived stress in some contexts, but effects vary and should not be presented as medical treatment.
Most studies are small, involve adults, and measure short-term changes such as breathing rate or heart-rate rhythms. No study shows that a mantra cures disease, and there is no good evidence that mantras increase a baby’s IQ, memory or intelligence.
Possible relaxation and listening context
When a mantra is recited slowly, breathing naturally slows too. In one study, reciting mantras slowed adults’ breathing to about six breaths a minute (Bernardi et al., 2001) — similar to the slow breathing that other research links with feeling relaxed. For a family, the realistic benefit is a calm, shared moment, not a health effect.
Sources, evidence level and limitations
Mantras, sound & babies
Babies respond to voices, rhythm and familiar sounds, and a calm, predictable sound environment can be soothing. Hearing a parent or grandparent softly chant is, above all, a warm family moment.
- Keep the volume comfortable — softer than normal conversation.
- Never put headphones or earbuds on a baby; play sound from a distance.
- Never use loud sound, and keep speakers away from the cot.
- Stop if your baby seems distressed, startled or unsettled.
- Mantra listening should never replace medical care, safe-sleep practice or developmental support.
Cultural practice and scientific evidence are different things: you can value a mantra for its meaning and tradition without expecting a measurable effect.
For babies and children
Young children usually enjoy mantras as a sound and a family ritual. Let them listen, hum along or learn one line at a time — there is no need for perfect pronunciation.
Start with only the first verse. Clap the beat, imitate the damru (“ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ!”), and ask your child to spot the Ganga, the snake and the moon in a picture of Shiva.
Parent guidance
- Keep sessions short and relaxed — a minute or two is plenty for young children.
- Explain the meaning in simple words.
- Respect every family’s beliefs; listening is always optional.
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FAQ
What does the Shiv Tandav Stotram mean?
A hymn of praise to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. It describes his wild, joyful Tandava dance — the Ganga flowing through his matted hair, a snake around his neck, the moon on his head and the damru drum beating “ḍamaḍ-ḍamaḍ” — and asks him to bless everyone with goodness (śivam).
Where does the Shiv Tandav Stotram come from?
Traditionally ascribed to Ravana, the learned king of Lanka, who is said to have composed it in praise of Shiva. The commonly recited version has 15 verses; editions differ slightly in wording and order.
Can the Shiv Tandav Stotram cure illness or make children smarter?
No. There is no good scientific evidence for such claims, and mantras must never replace medical or developmental care. Some small studies suggest that chanting with slow breathing may help adults feel more relaxed.