Ravana - Astrologer - Shiva tandava strota
Ravana was excellent astrologer he wrote ರಾವಣ ಸಂಹಿತೆ (Ravana samithe)
Some say it was destroyed during hanuman burining lanka ...
Later on what was left was compiled into book called ಲಾಲ್ ಕಿತಾಬ್ or red book where many of the remedies for your grahasa are recorded and suggested
In fact Ravana himself set the muhartam time for his killing .
They say if Ram had missed the time on that day it would have taken another 20 years for him to kill !!
Coming to shiva tandava strotam
The most popular legend says that Raavan was flying in Pushpak Vimaan(flying chariot) which he won over Kuber (his stepbrother) along with the kingdom of Lanka. He was doing parikrama (circumambulation) of the entire universe on the Pushpak Vimaan. When he came near Mount Kailash, the chariot was stopped itself and he was disturbed by this thought. Mount asked him to change his route as Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati were resting. But he didn’t listen and got annoyed with Kailash. He got off the pushpaka vimana chariot and thought he would remove the mountain by his hands. He even succeeded to lift the huge Mount Kailash. That time the entire universe felt intense turbulence as Kailash is believed to be the center of the earth.
In order to teach him a lesson, Lord Shiv pressed Mountain with his toe. So, his hands crushed between Kailash and the land. He cried in immense pain and his crying sound could be heard in all three worlds ie Earth, Heaven(Swarg lok) and Hell (patal lok). The sound is called as RAAV(crying in agony) in Sanskrit. Seeing this Gods and Narada Muni came to him and suggested him to pray upon Lord Shiv as he will surely forgive. He was stuck in that condition for 14 days singing various Shiv mantras. Then, on the evening of Pradosh kaal, ( twilight evening )he chanted the Shiv Tandav stotram with immense devotion in perfect rhythm. His words were magical and could be heard across the universe. Everybody was mesmerized listening to Shiv Tandav Stotram praising Lord Shiv describing his infinite beauty and power.
In the end, Shiv came down and forgave him. After this incident, Shiv gave him the name “RAAVAN”. Earlier he was known by Dashanan (ten-headed man) and after this, he was called by Raavan. Shiv was very happy after listening to Tandav Stotram as it was beautifully composed in perfect rhythm by the most knowledgeable person of 4 Vedas, 6 Upanishads. Also, he was blessed by Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. Shiv then gifted him “Chandrahas” sword. Chandra means Moon and has means smile. The sword is in Moon crescent shape which is indestructible. This is how Raavan composed and gave a gift of Shiv Tandav Stotram to the universe As per Shastras, ALL can worship Shiva.
The benefits of reciting Shiv Tandav Stotram are miraculous. It gives you the power, mental strength, happiness, prosperity and a lot more.
Usually if Rahu is badly placed in your chart it is highly recomended to recite this strota
If you just listen to the song with full devotion, you can surely feel the presence of his presence .This is the most energetic and powerful composition.
All the Sholkas used here define different qualities of Shiv. Listen to it as some collection of secret positive words to open hidden doors for you.
Here is some part of the meaning
जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥४॥
Jatabhujangapingala sphuratphanamaniprabha
Kadambakunkumadrava praliptadigvadhumukhe
Madandhasindhurasphura tvagutariyamedure
Mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhartari .. 4
Meaning:
He, with the shining lustrous gem on the hood
Of the serpent entwining his matted locks,
He, who is with his bride whose face is decorated
By the melting of red saffron Kumkum,
And He who wears on his shoulder the hide
Of the elephant which was blind with ferociousness,
Makes my mind happy and contented,
In him who is the leader of Bhoothas*.
* can be taken to mean as souls or mythical beings guarding Kailasa.
