Mantra Cafe 1/27/16

In this episode we meet Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Through the story of the sages of Tillai Vanam, the mangrove forests of Chidambaram, we learn the traditional chant "Nataraja, Nataraja" Later we are introduced to the first verse of the "Shiva Tandava Stotram"(The Dancing Shiva's Hymn), attributed to none other than the rakshasa Ravana and how he came to write this hymn.

For the next few weeks we will be exploring this stotram so this is just the first taste of this wonderful chant.

From our hearts to yours- enjoy listening!

 Nataraaja Nataraaja Nartana Sundara Nataraaja

Shivaraaja Shivaraaja Shivakaami Priya Shivaraaja

Cidambaresha Nataraaja

Parttipuriishvara Nataraaja

(Traditional)

 

 

jaṭā ṭavī galaj jala pravāha pāvi tasthale

gale valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga tuṅga mālikām |

Ddamadd Ddamadd Ddamadd Ddaman ninādava Ddamar vayaṃ

cakāra caṇdda tānddavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam

(words by Ravana[?] my own melody)