Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
सहस्रबाहुवाद्येन स कदाचिन्महासुरः । तांडवेन हि नृत्येनातोषयत्तं महेश्वरम्
sahasrabāhuvādyena sa kadācinmahāsuraḥ | tāṃḍavena hi nṛtyenātoṣayattaṃ maheśvaram
وذاتَ مرّةٍ، أدّى ذلك الأسورا الجبّار، على إيقاعِ موسيقى مدوّيةٍ تصدر من ألفِ ذراعٍ له، رقصةَ «تاندافا»، وبهذا الرقص أرضى مها ديفا، الربَّ العظيم مهايشڤارا.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Naṭarāja
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that even formidable beings can approach Pati (Śiva) through sincere devotion; disciplined offering of art—music and sacred dance—can become bhakti that pleases the Lord, who responds to inner intent rather than mere identity.
The verse highlights Saguna worship—pleasing Maheśvara through expressive devotion. In Linga-upāsanā too, offerings (sound, mantra, movement, and ritual) are external forms meant to awaken reverence and surrender to Śiva as the accessible Lord.
Offer devotional sound and rhythm: chant the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady breath and, if appropriate, accompany it with tāla (measured rhythm) as an inner “Tāṇḍava”—a disciplined, mindful movement of prāṇa and attention toward Śiva.