The Shiv Tandava Stotram, also known as the Shiva Tandava Mantra or Rudra Gayatri, is a powerful and ancient Hindu devotional poem that eulogizes Lord Shiva in his ferocious form of Rudra. Composed by the 16th-century Indian saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas, this stotram (hymn) or mantra is considered to be one of the most sacred and revered texts dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Shiv Tandava Stotram is an eight-verse composition that describes the cosmic dance performed by Rudra-Shivah as a means of destroying evil forces and recreating the universe. The stotram begins with a beautiful invocation, where we offer our humble oblations to Lord Shankar-Nath, seeking His blessings and protection.

The first verse (Annamrita Ghosha) eulogizes Lord Shiva as the embodiment of all energies in existence. It describes how He is beyond human comprehension, yet still accessible through devotion. We beseech Him to bless us with knowledge so that we can understand his true nature.

In the second verse (Jatavedanatha Stuti), Tulsaji worships Lord Agni-Shiva as the lord of fire and light. He requests Him to purify our souls by burning away all impurities within us, just like a raging inferno reduces everything in its path to ashes.

The third verse (Sivapadmasthaya Stotram) is an effusive tribute to Lord Shiva seated upon the cosmic lotus seat, surrounded by various deities and elements of nature. We seek His blessings for spiritual growth, peace, prosperity, happiness, good health, long life, freedom from ignorance, and liberation from the cycle of birth-and-death.

In the fourth verse (Mrityunjaya Stotram), Tulsaji invokes Lord Shiva as Mrutyunjana-Bhairava - the death-conquering form that has triumphed over Yama himself. He pleads for His mercy upon us mortals, beseeching Him to grant us immortality and protect us from untimely death.

The fifth verse (Shivarka Stotram) is a poignant appeal to Lord Shiva to remove our ignorance and delusions that veil his divine glory from our sight. We humbly seek His grace so that we can see him in all things, people, situations - everywhere!

In the sixth verse (Bhairavashtakam), Tulsaji worships Lord Bhairava as a fierce protector who safeguards us from external threats and internal fears alike. He invokes upon Him to protect us with his mighty bow and arrow.

The seventh verse (Ganesha Shodasha Stotram) is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha, considered to be the remover of obstacles on our path towards spiritual growth and self-realization. We seek His blessings for success in all our endeavors.

Finally, in the eighth and last verse (Rudra Gayatri), Tulsiji concludes his prayer by invoking upon us - the devotees - with Lord Rudras grace so that we may attain liberation from this cycle of birth-and-death through devotion to him alone. Amen!

Thus ends my humble attempt at translating and interpreting the profound meaning behind one of Hinduism's most sacred texts, Shiv Tandava Stotram (or Shiva Tandav Mantra). May Lord Shankar bless all those who recite it with peace, prosperity, good health, happiness and spiritual growth!

Shiva tandava stotram original