Sivatandava-stotram of Ravana I behold the great lord Chandrasekhara With the matted locks whirling in fury As Ganga thrusts him with the shower! Beneath the waters in mirth is the flame Swirling up and down between the eyes
(1)
Gangā, the gigantic fall, down to the neck With the lord’s fiery spirit in her bosom Thrashes the snakes to make them swirl And the drum is set to thunder the sky Upon the Mount, the terrific dance is on
(2)
I behold you at 12 steps below the nostrils Sporting with the daughter of the spine In delight and casting auspicious glances You uphold the whole universe in your mind I beseech grace with hands below your feet
(3)
The swirling cobra with the crested gem Fills the directions with the blood-red glow Your chest is bristling like a mad elephant And the ghosts are out to make merry O’ Lord, I too seek delight in your dance
(4)
Awesome shower of flowers at your feet But the Gods outwitted by the crescent atop The cobras in delight upon the matted locks Lord of the Mount you are matchless in glory Graceful are my palms under your sacred feet
(5)
The forehead and the central blazing fire Make the Gods fall perennially at your feet They shiver in flashback of the ill-fated Cupid O’ Lord! Let the crescent be of cool blaze And the matted locks be the my source of boons
(6)
The fire god arches out in long and wide tongues To give the impression of a crater at the nosetip Cupid and his flowers had got lost in that flame Artist you are upon the great mounts she wields I beseech your pardon for spoiling your night
(7)
This night is dark like the newmoon of cancer O’ the elephant killer crowned with the Ganges Like the flooding arrays of the new rain clouds The snakes on your neck have eclipsed the moon Bless me! O’ lord adorned with the crescent atop
(8)