PHSphynX_PHC
Honorary Poster
Shiva Tandava Stotram
In Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva is popularly also known as Natarajan which translates to the ‘Dancing God’. This form of Lord Shiva is known for the divine art performed by him along with his divine consort, Goddes Parvati Devi. This dance, according to the Hindu scriptures, performed by Lord Shiva, is known as Tandava. Lord Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Also known as Shiv Tandava, this divine art form depicts the lord’s violent nature as the destroyer of the universe.
Origin of Shiva Tandava Stotram
Ravana was a fierce devotee of Shiva and there are many stories about them. He came to Kailash all the way from down south and began to sing Shiva’s praises. He had a drum which he used to set the beat and composed 1008 verses extempore, which is called the Shiva Tandava Stotram.
Shiva was so pleased and enamored listening to this music. As he sang, slowly, Ravana started climbing Kailash from its Southern Face. When Ravana was almost on top, and with Shiva still engrossed in this music, Parvati saw this man climbing up.
There is space only for two people on top! So Parvati tried to bring Shiva out of his musical rapture. She said, “This man is coming all the way up!” But Shiva was too engrossed in the music and poetry. Then finally, Parvati managed to bring him out of being enthralled, and when Ravana reached the peak, Shiva just pushed him off with his feet. Ravana went sliding down the South Face of Kailash. They say his drum was dragging behind him as he slid down and it left a furrow on the mountain all the way down. If you look at the South Face, you will see a wedge-like scar in the center going straight down.
It is a little inappropriate to distinguish or to discriminate between one face of Kailash and the other, but the South Face is dear to us because Agastya Muni merged into the South Face. It is just a South Indian prejudice that we like the South Face and I think it is the most beautiful face! It is definitely the whitest face because it is very snowy there.
In many ways it is the most intense face but very few people go to the South Face. It is far less accessible and involves a more difficult route than the other faces, and only certain type of people go there.
The Main Story
Muni Naarad advised Raavan to bring Shiva to his Place .Raavan being haughty decided to uproot whole Himalaya and as he started to lift it Shiva pressed his foot thumb which sent Raavan to patala, crushed by weight of Shivas thumb he cried in immense pain did one RAAV (crying in agony ) his Raav was so powerful that it trembled three worlds, and later it is here when Shiva gave him name RAAVAN, this name was dearest to Raavan because Shiva gave him this name but even after applying his full strength Raavan could not get away from its weight. He waited for 14 days chanting Shiva mantras asking for forgiveness than on the evening of Pradosha day he chanted this Taandav stotra to appease Shiva at pradosha kaal he chanted it in perfect rhythm and with immense devotion ,seeing such devotion and hearing this powerful stotra Shiva smiled and Mother Goddess having pity on Raavan asked Shiva to free him and hence Shiva freed Raavan and gave him several boons being appeased by this stotra .
This is very powerful rhythmic stotra though it is not easy to read or pronounce but with some sincere efforts one can do it if he has devotion. This stotra is very important on pradosha muhurta it gives immense spiritual and mundane benefits to those who chant it in on Pradosha with devotion. What fruits it brings is described in last stanzas of this stotra also .
This is one of the most famous stotras of Shiva being adopted in several films and Tv programs just chanting it brings bliss spiritual energies its words have immense positive effects. This is one of the most important Stotras of shiva and very dear to him and his devotees.
Benefits of Shiva Tandava Stotram
There are innumerable benefits of chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram. Chanting or listening to Shiv Tandav Stotram confers one with immense power, beauty, and mental strength. It is said that chanting the stotram removes all the negative energies and makes the atmosphere pious.
When to Chant Shiva Tandav Stotram?
Shiv Tandav Stotram has no specific time and anyone can chant anytime. However, there are some recommendations:
1) During eclipse: It is said when you chant Om Namah Shivaya or Shiva Tandava Stotram during the time of eclipse it reduces all the ill effects of planets. During the eclipse, chanting, meditation, or praying has a hundred times more effective.
2) During dawn and dusk: It is said whatever activity you do during Brahma Muhurta, its impact is more. It reduces the amount of energy consumed and doubles productivity. During the dusk time, lamps are lit in every house, prayers are offered in many households. Some even conduct Satsang to soak in the positive vibrations.
3) Pradosh Vrat: Pradosh Kaal is the time of the month that falls on the 13th day and is also known as Trayodashi tithi. This tithi falls fortnightly. It is said that chanting Shiv Stotram on every Trayodashi tithi helps burn sins. Note that Pradosh Kaal varies according to different locations.
Characteristics of Tandava Dance
According to scholars, ‘Characteristics of the Tandava Dance’ have been described in the fourth chapter of Bharat Muni’s Nata Shastra, which is referred to as fifth Veda and an E×ρréššion of Lord Shiva’s eternal dance – Tandava. It says that Shiva’s Tandava is embellished with 108 karanas and the 32 anghaharas – the composite parts of the dance. Bharat Muni further says that Lord Shiva conceived the dance, as he was very much fond of dancing every evening. Shiva further mentioned that 108 karnas included in tandava could be employed in the course of dance, fight, and personal combats and in other special movements like strolling.
Types of Tandava
Some scholars believe that there are seven different types of Tandava. The tandava performed with joy is called Ananda Tandava and that which is performed in violent mood is called Rudra Tandava. The other types of tandava identified are Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samara Tandava, Kaali Tandava, Uma Tandava and Gauri Tandava. However, there are few people who believe that there are 16 types of Tandava.
Significance of Shiva′s Tandava Nritya
According to religious scholars, the cosmic dance of Shiva, called ′Anandatandava,′ meaning, ‘the Dance of Bliss’ symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy – creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion.
According to learned scholar, Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also represents his five activities namely,
′Shrishti′ – creation, evolution
′Sthiti′ – preservation, support
′Samhara′ – destruction, evolution
′Tirobhava′ – illusion
′Anugraha′ – release, emancipation, grace
The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquillity, and outside activity of Shiva.
Lasya
The dance performed by Goddess Parvati is known as Lasya. In Lasya, the movements are gentle, graceful and sometimes ******. Some scholars call Lasya, the feminine version of Tandava. Lasya is of two kinds – Jarita Lasya and Yauvaka Lasya. According to the Puranas, Shiva dances a wild and vigorous (tandava) dance in the cremation grounds at night but dances a soft and graceful (lasya) dance in the tranquillity of the twilight.
In Hinduism, the Shiv Tandava Stotram is one of the most well-known stutis of Lord Shiva. Its rhythmic flow has the ability to transport one to a transcendental space. On chanting this Shiva Tandava Stotram, Lord Shiva was impressed my the evil King Ravana and he eventually granted king Ravana boons and blessings. The Shiv Tandav Stotram can be chanted in any Shiv temple or can even be chanted at home in front of a Lord Shiva idol. The scriptures have mentioned that it can be chanted at any time by anyone in this world, without any restriction. Chanting the Shiva Tandav Stotram brings blessings of happiness, prosperity, mental strength, power and the list of grace goes on. Concluding, the Shiva Tandav Stotram can provide one with mesmerising outcomes and chanting it at Pradosh Kaal, which is one hour before and aller Sunset, is said to be more effective as Ravana had chanted it at that time and was forgiven by Lord Shiva.
Who Can Worship Shiva and Chant Shiva Tandav Stotram?
Anybody including shudra ,mlecha, or Queen King or Princess or Priestess or normal girl or women or any men or eunuch, All Can, And must worship Shiva, This is Shastra Agya Veda’s Declaration that’s why you will find every single God or Rishi or any Great character of our Shastras has worshipped Shiva and established Shiva temple in their names. The only and very important qualification to worship Shiva is The Devotion , Bhakti Towards him, than following Shastrokta method as mentioned every women or man of any awastha (state) jati (cast),social status or work status ,all are allowed to worship Shiva, yet of course as per the ways charted in Shastras. So have no doubts all devotees of Shiva and all others also must worship Shiva as per there adhikar (permission) in Shastra. Famous Vratas like, Saawan Somwar or Solah Somwar are meant for women mostly where they are meant to worship Shiva Shakti all day long, So female and males of any kind or species even Yaksha, Devas Nagas etc too can worship Shiva, sing his Stotras with devotion and Shudha Bhawa.
See Shiva has already declared to world the equal status of men and women in Sanatana in ShaktiShiva ArdhaNareeshwar Avtaar. So those who advise otherwise to Shiva’s Worship or attach imaginary conditions of any kind or gender or caste bias are Anti Shiva, means they are anti positive hence if you want positive kalyan auspicious than worship Shiva for sure leave such lowly negative people they do not want you to worship Shiva because worshiping shiva you will become more intelligent and spiritually advanced than them. But consider the grand truth of Vedas ,Rishis shastras and Gods themselves that Shiva must be worshipped by all who want positive, beauty true everlasting joy away from maya must worship Shiva.
Look across the ocean of shastras it is full of Shiva all gods and goddesses rishis devas yakshas nagas tantriks ,shaktas ,gandharrwas Siddhas devas and even Asuras boot pishachas pretas pashus beings of all kinds have unanimously surely worshipped shiva and made great temples to declare there staunch devotion for shiva, few of them famously are Rameshwaram built by Ram to declare his being bhakta of shiva, again in Krishna Avtar when Shiva came to play with him at raasa where only women may enter, actually even if a man enters raas he becomes stree a women but Shiva being Param purush remained Shiva so Krishna spotted him in disguise and worshipped him as God and Ishta of him and all Gopis as Gopeshwar Mahadev still in Vrindavan. So have no doubt Shiva is worshipped by all entities who want there good, there is no question of male and female at all.
Though females can worship Shiva, and chant his Stotras or Mantras or do Sadhnas etc, but as per vedas such shall not be done when they have there RituKaalam menses, yet mansik mantra jaap aradhan can be done but not touching Vigrah and one more thing women shall not include pranav in Shiva mantra, and on another point, one school of thought says that women shall chant Shivay first than Namah, other school says it does not matter use both anulom and vilom but both school assert that women shall skip Pranava. Now as talking about females let me tell you few more official shastrokta things which shall clear few other doubts if this question arises at the first place anyways,
Women can wear Rudraksha of any kind any mukha have no doubts about it,any number of Rosaries or Beads they can put on but after duly charging worshipping it, and follow the easy rules which are meant for both sexes.
They can and shall apply Tripundra of Bhasma or Bhasma mixed with chandan after offering it to Shiva and after making three parallel lines shall put a dot of sindoor in middle of forehead after offering it to Mahadevi, Ganpati, Kartik, or draw a Red Vertical Tilak across three lines making shape of agni or to say oval agni, covering three lines vertically. The contrast of Divine bright Red in front of of bright divine white is pure aesthetic. Anyways few people do not know about it but face this situation, so Bhasma or Bhasma with Chandan can be applied as Tripundra by women and put a Red Sindoor Dot or Vertical Tilak reaching upto first Tripundra Rekha white line, To enhance there Saubhagya, Saundarya, Prasannata and many other innumerable mundane and spiritual benefits and immense punyas one shall by wearing Bhasma Tripundra with Sindoor properly, equally by men and women states Shastra.
They can chant his mantras read and sing his sanskrit stotras there is no hindrance but as said, bhakti is the main qualification, your devotion will decide your deservance but be sure Shiva who is Shakti and Shiva as one and as different both must be worshipped by all women, girl or even napunsak or purusha and those who have devotion can worship Shiva
In Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva is popularly also known as Natarajan which translates to the ‘Dancing God’. This form of Lord Shiva is known for the divine art performed by him along with his divine consort, Goddes Parvati Devi. This dance, according to the Hindu scriptures, performed by Lord Shiva, is known as Tandava. Lord Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Also known as Shiv Tandava, this divine art form depicts the lord’s violent nature as the destroyer of the universe.
Origin of Shiva Tandava Stotram
Ravana was a fierce devotee of Shiva and there are many stories about them. He came to Kailash all the way from down south and began to sing Shiva’s praises. He had a drum which he used to set the beat and composed 1008 verses extempore, which is called the Shiva Tandava Stotram.
Shiva was so pleased and enamored listening to this music. As he sang, slowly, Ravana started climbing Kailash from its Southern Face. When Ravana was almost on top, and with Shiva still engrossed in this music, Parvati saw this man climbing up.
There is space only for two people on top! So Parvati tried to bring Shiva out of his musical rapture. She said, “This man is coming all the way up!” But Shiva was too engrossed in the music and poetry. Then finally, Parvati managed to bring him out of being enthralled, and when Ravana reached the peak, Shiva just pushed him off with his feet. Ravana went sliding down the South Face of Kailash. They say his drum was dragging behind him as he slid down and it left a furrow on the mountain all the way down. If you look at the South Face, you will see a wedge-like scar in the center going straight down.
It is a little inappropriate to distinguish or to discriminate between one face of Kailash and the other, but the South Face is dear to us because Agastya Muni merged into the South Face. It is just a South Indian prejudice that we like the South Face and I think it is the most beautiful face! It is definitely the whitest face because it is very snowy there.
In many ways it is the most intense face but very few people go to the South Face. It is far less accessible and involves a more difficult route than the other faces, and only certain type of people go there.
The Main Story
Muni Naarad advised Raavan to bring Shiva to his Place .Raavan being haughty decided to uproot whole Himalaya and as he started to lift it Shiva pressed his foot thumb which sent Raavan to patala, crushed by weight of Shivas thumb he cried in immense pain did one RAAV (crying in agony ) his Raav was so powerful that it trembled three worlds, and later it is here when Shiva gave him name RAAVAN, this name was dearest to Raavan because Shiva gave him this name but even after applying his full strength Raavan could not get away from its weight. He waited for 14 days chanting Shiva mantras asking for forgiveness than on the evening of Pradosha day he chanted this Taandav stotra to appease Shiva at pradosha kaal he chanted it in perfect rhythm and with immense devotion ,seeing such devotion and hearing this powerful stotra Shiva smiled and Mother Goddess having pity on Raavan asked Shiva to free him and hence Shiva freed Raavan and gave him several boons being appeased by this stotra .
This is very powerful rhythmic stotra though it is not easy to read or pronounce but with some sincere efforts one can do it if he has devotion. This stotra is very important on pradosha muhurta it gives immense spiritual and mundane benefits to those who chant it in on Pradosha with devotion. What fruits it brings is described in last stanzas of this stotra also .
This is one of the most famous stotras of Shiva being adopted in several films and Tv programs just chanting it brings bliss spiritual energies its words have immense positive effects. This is one of the most important Stotras of shiva and very dear to him and his devotees.
Benefits of Shiva Tandava Stotram
There are innumerable benefits of chanting Shiva Tandava Stotram. Chanting or listening to Shiv Tandav Stotram confers one with immense power, beauty, and mental strength. It is said that chanting the stotram removes all the negative energies and makes the atmosphere pious.
When to Chant Shiva Tandav Stotram?
Shiv Tandav Stotram has no specific time and anyone can chant anytime. However, there are some recommendations:
1) During eclipse: It is said when you chant Om Namah Shivaya or Shiva Tandava Stotram during the time of eclipse it reduces all the ill effects of planets. During the eclipse, chanting, meditation, or praying has a hundred times more effective.
2) During dawn and dusk: It is said whatever activity you do during Brahma Muhurta, its impact is more. It reduces the amount of energy consumed and doubles productivity. During the dusk time, lamps are lit in every house, prayers are offered in many households. Some even conduct Satsang to soak in the positive vibrations.
3) Pradosh Vrat: Pradosh Kaal is the time of the month that falls on the 13th day and is also known as Trayodashi tithi. This tithi falls fortnightly. It is said that chanting Shiv Stotram on every Trayodashi tithi helps burn sins. Note that Pradosh Kaal varies according to different locations.
Characteristics of Tandava Dance
According to scholars, ‘Characteristics of the Tandava Dance’ have been described in the fourth chapter of Bharat Muni’s Nata Shastra, which is referred to as fifth Veda and an E×ρréššion of Lord Shiva’s eternal dance – Tandava. It says that Shiva’s Tandava is embellished with 108 karanas and the 32 anghaharas – the composite parts of the dance. Bharat Muni further says that Lord Shiva conceived the dance, as he was very much fond of dancing every evening. Shiva further mentioned that 108 karnas included in tandava could be employed in the course of dance, fight, and personal combats and in other special movements like strolling.
Types of Tandava
Some scholars believe that there are seven different types of Tandava. The tandava performed with joy is called Ananda Tandava and that which is performed in violent mood is called Rudra Tandava. The other types of tandava identified are Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samara Tandava, Kaali Tandava, Uma Tandava and Gauri Tandava. However, there are few people who believe that there are 16 types of Tandava.
Significance of Shiva′s Tandava Nritya
According to religious scholars, the cosmic dance of Shiva, called ′Anandatandava,′ meaning, ‘the Dance of Bliss’ symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy – creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion.
According to learned scholar, Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also represents his five activities namely,
′Shrishti′ – creation, evolution
′Sthiti′ – preservation, support
′Samhara′ – destruction, evolution
′Tirobhava′ – illusion
′Anugraha′ – release, emancipation, grace
The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquillity, and outside activity of Shiva.
Lasya
The dance performed by Goddess Parvati is known as Lasya. In Lasya, the movements are gentle, graceful and sometimes ******. Some scholars call Lasya, the feminine version of Tandava. Lasya is of two kinds – Jarita Lasya and Yauvaka Lasya. According to the Puranas, Shiva dances a wild and vigorous (tandava) dance in the cremation grounds at night but dances a soft and graceful (lasya) dance in the tranquillity of the twilight.
In Hinduism, the Shiv Tandava Stotram is one of the most well-known stutis of Lord Shiva. Its rhythmic flow has the ability to transport one to a transcendental space. On chanting this Shiva Tandava Stotram, Lord Shiva was impressed my the evil King Ravana and he eventually granted king Ravana boons and blessings. The Shiv Tandav Stotram can be chanted in any Shiv temple or can even be chanted at home in front of a Lord Shiva idol. The scriptures have mentioned that it can be chanted at any time by anyone in this world, without any restriction. Chanting the Shiva Tandav Stotram brings blessings of happiness, prosperity, mental strength, power and the list of grace goes on. Concluding, the Shiva Tandav Stotram can provide one with mesmerising outcomes and chanting it at Pradosh Kaal, which is one hour before and aller Sunset, is said to be more effective as Ravana had chanted it at that time and was forgiven by Lord Shiva.
Who Can Worship Shiva and Chant Shiva Tandav Stotram?
Anybody including shudra ,mlecha, or Queen King or Princess or Priestess or normal girl or women or any men or eunuch, All Can, And must worship Shiva, This is Shastra Agya Veda’s Declaration that’s why you will find every single God or Rishi or any Great character of our Shastras has worshipped Shiva and established Shiva temple in their names. The only and very important qualification to worship Shiva is The Devotion , Bhakti Towards him, than following Shastrokta method as mentioned every women or man of any awastha (state) jati (cast),social status or work status ,all are allowed to worship Shiva, yet of course as per the ways charted in Shastras. So have no doubts all devotees of Shiva and all others also must worship Shiva as per there adhikar (permission) in Shastra. Famous Vratas like, Saawan Somwar or Solah Somwar are meant for women mostly where they are meant to worship Shiva Shakti all day long, So female and males of any kind or species even Yaksha, Devas Nagas etc too can worship Shiva, sing his Stotras with devotion and Shudha Bhawa.
See Shiva has already declared to world the equal status of men and women in Sanatana in ShaktiShiva ArdhaNareeshwar Avtaar. So those who advise otherwise to Shiva’s Worship or attach imaginary conditions of any kind or gender or caste bias are Anti Shiva, means they are anti positive hence if you want positive kalyan auspicious than worship Shiva for sure leave such lowly negative people they do not want you to worship Shiva because worshiping shiva you will become more intelligent and spiritually advanced than them. But consider the grand truth of Vedas ,Rishis shastras and Gods themselves that Shiva must be worshipped by all who want positive, beauty true everlasting joy away from maya must worship Shiva.
Look across the ocean of shastras it is full of Shiva all gods and goddesses rishis devas yakshas nagas tantriks ,shaktas ,gandharrwas Siddhas devas and even Asuras boot pishachas pretas pashus beings of all kinds have unanimously surely worshipped shiva and made great temples to declare there staunch devotion for shiva, few of them famously are Rameshwaram built by Ram to declare his being bhakta of shiva, again in Krishna Avtar when Shiva came to play with him at raasa where only women may enter, actually even if a man enters raas he becomes stree a women but Shiva being Param purush remained Shiva so Krishna spotted him in disguise and worshipped him as God and Ishta of him and all Gopis as Gopeshwar Mahadev still in Vrindavan. So have no doubt Shiva is worshipped by all entities who want there good, there is no question of male and female at all.
Though females can worship Shiva, and chant his Stotras or Mantras or do Sadhnas etc, but as per vedas such shall not be done when they have there RituKaalam menses, yet mansik mantra jaap aradhan can be done but not touching Vigrah and one more thing women shall not include pranav in Shiva mantra, and on another point, one school of thought says that women shall chant Shivay first than Namah, other school says it does not matter use both anulom and vilom but both school assert that women shall skip Pranava. Now as talking about females let me tell you few more official shastrokta things which shall clear few other doubts if this question arises at the first place anyways,
Women can wear Rudraksha of any kind any mukha have no doubts about it,any number of Rosaries or Beads they can put on but after duly charging worshipping it, and follow the easy rules which are meant for both sexes.
They can and shall apply Tripundra of Bhasma or Bhasma mixed with chandan after offering it to Shiva and after making three parallel lines shall put a dot of sindoor in middle of forehead after offering it to Mahadevi, Ganpati, Kartik, or draw a Red Vertical Tilak across three lines making shape of agni or to say oval agni, covering three lines vertically. The contrast of Divine bright Red in front of of bright divine white is pure aesthetic. Anyways few people do not know about it but face this situation, so Bhasma or Bhasma with Chandan can be applied as Tripundra by women and put a Red Sindoor Dot or Vertical Tilak reaching upto first Tripundra Rekha white line, To enhance there Saubhagya, Saundarya, Prasannata and many other innumerable mundane and spiritual benefits and immense punyas one shall by wearing Bhasma Tripundra with Sindoor properly, equally by men and women states Shastra.
They can chant his mantras read and sing his sanskrit stotras there is no hindrance but as said, bhakti is the main qualification, your devotion will decide your deservance but be sure Shiva who is Shakti and Shiva as one and as different both must be worshipped by all women, girl or even napunsak or purusha and those who have devotion can worship Shiva