Shiv Tandav Strotram - 2

The Shloka

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जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमस्तके ।

धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥

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jaTakaTaahasambhramabhramannilimpanirjaree vilolaveechivallareeviraajamaanastake ।

dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalaaTapaTTapaavake kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshaNam mama ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka highlights Shiva’s power, control, and beauty. The Ganga symbolizes purity and the flow of life, the fire represents destruction and transformation, and the moon signifies tranquility and emotional balance. It emphasizes the devotee’s unwavering love and devotion towards Lord Shiva.

My heart finds joy every moment in Lord Shiva, whose head is adorned with the celestial river Ganga swirling through his matted locks, and on whose forehead blazes the fire ‘dhag dhag dhag’ and who has the crescent moon as an ornament.

This shloka praises Lord Shiva, describing the Ganga river flowing through his matted hair, the fire on his forehead, and the crescent moon adorning his head. The devotee expresses their love for Shiva, which grows with each passing moment.

I have intense love for Lord Shiva, whose head is resplendent with the swirling waters of the celestial river Ganga, cascading through his tangled hair. The Ganga appears to dance within the locks. Furthermore, his forehead is ablaze with the fire that emits the sound ‘dhag dhag dhag,’ and he is adorned with the crescent moon on his head, symbolizing his control over time and emotions. My devotion and love for Him grow with each passing moment.

Sentence - 1

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जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी

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Meaning

The celestial river Ganga, swirling with the force of her descent, meanders through the matted locks of hair.

Meaning of Words

जटा	jaTaa
Matted hair Tangled or braided hair, often associated with ascetics and yogis.
कटाह	kaTaaha
Bowl Referring to the cavity or hollow formed by the matted locks.
सम्भ्रम	sambhrama
Confusion, agitation, haste The tumultuous and forceful flow of the Ganga.
भ्रमन्	bhraman
Wandering, roaming, swirling Describes the Ganga moving through Shiva’s hair.
निलिम्पनिर्झरी	nilimpanirjharee
Celestial river (Ganga) “Nilimpa” refers to the gods, and “Nirjhari” refers to a river or stream. Together, it means the river of the gods, which is Ganga.

Sentence - 2

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विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमस्तके ।

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Meaning

Whose head is beautifully adorned with the playful, dancing waves of the Ganga.

Meaning of Words

विलोल	vilola
Playful, unsteady, moving Describes the restless and dynamic nature of the waves.
वीचि	veechi	Waves
वल्लरी	vallaree
Creepers, series Implies a continuous flow or a series of waves, like creepers.
विराजमान	viraajamaana	Shining, resplendent, beautifully adorned
मस्तके	mastake	On the head

Sentence - 3

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धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके

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Meaning

Whose forehead is ablaze with the fire that goes ‘dhag dhag dhag’.

Meaning of Words

धगद्धगद्धगत्	dhagaddhagaddhagat	Dhag dhag dhag The sound of a blazing fire.
ज्वलत्	jvalat	Burning, blazing
ललाट	lalaaTa	Forehead
पट्ट	paTTa
Plate, surface Refers to the surface of the forehead.
पावके	paavake	Fire

Sentence - 4

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किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥

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Meaning

In that Shiva, who has the crescent moon as his ornament, my love is at every moment.

Meaning of Words

किशोर	kishora	Young, crescent Referring to the crescent moon.
चन्द्र	chandra	Moon
शेखरे	shekhare
Crest, head, ornament Means the one who wears the moon on his head.
रतिः	ratih	Love, devotion, attachment
प्रतिक्षणं	pratikshaNam	Every moment, each instant
मम	mama	My

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