The Mythical Story Behind the Shiv Tandav Stotram

Lord Shiv is an existence that is said to be the most mystical having no beginning and no end. He is beyond the understanding of humans yet inculcated in every aspect of physical, spiritual, and universal existence.

Shankar Bhagwan is the formless transcendent reality that underlies the material world and is mentioned in the scriptures as an ascetic who resides in the Himalayas meditating in solitude. In physical form, Shiva is depicted as an existence with ash smeared on his body, a serpent around his neck, minimal clothing, a trident in his hand having Dumru attached to it, and a third eye on his forehead that is said to be appearing and disappearing according to his temperament, and adorning Rudraksha ornaments. The overall appearance of Lord Shiv portrays his detached life from the materialistic world even being involved in worldly work when and where needed.

Legend Related to Shiv Tandav Stotram

The Shiv Tandav Stotram is a revered hymn composed in praise of Lord Shiva and is said to be woven in words by the renowned Shiva devotee Sage Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The origin of the epic composition is linked to a story portraying multiple shades and devotion of the demon king when he encounters his Aradhya Shankar Bhagwan.

As it is known Ravana was the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva and had gained immense power and knowledge through penance. So there are two instances mentioned that are said to have inspired Ravana to compose Shiv Tandav Stotram attributing to the ‘Tandav’ cosmic dance of Shiva. Among these is when with a desire to visit the lord and invite him to his abode, Ravana went to meet him on Kailasha. There he was welcomed yet in his arrogance of being the biggest devotee proclaiming his right to the lord he treated Nandi inferiorly. After some unpleasant words of his, he stubbornly insisted that Shankar Bhagwan should come with him to Lanka, however, the lord refused and decided to take Lord Shiv along with him. With an ignorant mind, Ravana went to showcase his power and lift the mount Kailash along with Shivji. When he was about to do so his fingers got trapped beneath and to appease the lord, involved his blessing and prayer for help Ravan started singing Shiv Tandav Stotram, which appeased the lord and let his fingers free, also granting him a Linga to take along as a token from Kailash and Shankar Bhagwan’s representation.

Another story states that Ravan practiced penance and started sacrificing his heads one by one to lord Shiva to portray his devotion which deeply pleased the lord. When Ravan was about to serve his last head Shivji in his cosmic dance form Nataraj stopped him and bestowed the divine knowledge about Shiv Tandav. In awe of the cosmic dance of the Lord Ravana composed the stotram vividly describing the powerful and inspiring aspect of lord shiva’s dance, which reflects the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction symbolizing the eternal rhythm of the universe. While the legends and scriptures mention a mystical Shiv Tandav stotram story the hymn itself transcends the material world and with its unique rhythmic composition stimulating sounds and invoking the divine beats.

Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva is reflected in the composition of Shiv Tandav Stotram during the Kailash episode, which highlights a complex spiritual journey. This narrative echoes the timeless relationship between ‘Lord Shiva’ the ‘Adiyogi’, where Ravana’s devotion parallels the wisdom, worldly desires, seclusion, and multi-talents encapsulated in the teachings of Adiyogi. The episode underscores a rich tapestry of spiritual narratives, weaving together devotion, humility, and the pursuit of higher consciousness.

Shiv Tandav Stotram Lyrics Meaning And Significance

With the mysterious story emerged the Shiv Tandav stotram lyrics with deep meaning, and poetic reverence, acknowledging the divine attribute and cosmic significance of lord Shiva. The stotram begins with a salutation to the lords the supreme deity whose dance can be nurturing, preserving, expressing, and destructive symbolizing the cosmic cycle. The Shiv Tandav stotram meaning expands to explain Shiva as the eternal, boundless, and formless reality performing dynamic powerful, and awe-inspiring tandava granting his devotees blessing and protection.

The verses highlight various attributes of lord shiva including his third eye, the serpent in the neck, the moon on the head along with the sacred river Ganga flowing from his lock, his alluring appearance, and his cosmic dance flowing energy to the material world, establishing positivity and destroying ignorance. If one reads Shiv Tandav Stotram Lyrics, there are rhythmic words included portraying the sound of his damru, or the intensity of his appearance all portraying the devotional expression of Ravana and deep reverence for Lord Shiva and has the following significance,

• With the immense explication of the Shiv Tandav Stotram, it is a significant hymn portraying a devotional offering to the lord seeking his blessing and spiritual elevation
• The stotram holds profound philosophical significance when it portrays the cosmic cycle, the transformative power of divine consciousness, and the dance of energy
• The Shiv Tandav stotram is revered for its spiritual significance and depth of underlying worldly theories explained yet, in literature, it holds another level of momentum due to its unique way or composition. The use of onomatopoeia, metaphor, vivid imagery, and rhythmic structure makes it more appealing to portray the essence of lord shiva’s cosmic dance

Benefits of Reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram

• The stotram was composed by Ravan as a way to portray his devotion and seek mercy from Shankar Bhagwan, so it is the best way to express devotion, seek blessing and protection from lord Shiva by appeasing him
• It is believed that regular recitation of Shiv Tandav Stotram can remove obstacles and build a spiritual bond between the devotee and lord, nurturing inner peace, tranquility, and a calm mind promoting a sense of spiritual awakening
• One receives positivity through the recitation, helping to destroy ignorance or darkness, overcoming challenges, and gaining help in fulfilling desires
• It can also help nourish your literary knowledge due to the words and rhythm used in it, promoting cultural and spiritual heritage

The recitation of Shiv Tandav Stotram’s lyrics does not specifically include any ritual it can be recited while carrying out daily work or listening to the various music videos available. Yet by practicing a proper ritualistic stotram recital with a clean body, mind, and soul, sitting in meditation could help elevate the effects and benefits of the same.