Nataraja Mantra

ॐ नमो नटराजाय

ॐ शिवाय नमः नटराजाय नमः

नमः शिवाय शान्ताय कारणत्रय हेतवे।

निवेदयामि चात्मानं त्वं गतिः परमेश्वर॥

Transliteration

Om Namo Natarajaya

Om Shivaya Namah Natarajaya Namah

Namah Shivaya Shaantaya Kaaranathraya Hetave

Nivedayaami Chaatmaanam Tvam Gatih Parameshvara

Mantra Type	Nataraja Mula Mantra and Dhyana Shloka
Deity	Lord Nataraja — Shiva as the cosmic dancer, Lord of all dance and performing arts
Japa Count	108 times. Recited before dance performances and arts practice.

Meaning

Salutation to Nataraja. Salutation to Shiva the peaceful, the cause behind the three cosmic causes. I offer my very self to you — O Supreme Lord, you are my only refuge.

Word-by-Word Meaning

नटराजाय (Natarajaya) — To Nataraja: Nata = dancer/actor, Raja = king (the King of Dancers)
शान्ताय (Shaantaya) — The peaceful/serene one
कारणत्रय हेतवे (Kaaranathraya Hetave) — The cause of the three causes (Brahma-creation, Vishnu-preservation, Shiva-dissolution)
निवेदयामि (Nivedayaami) — I offer / I dedicate
आत्मानम् (Aatmaanam) — My self / my soul
त्वं गतिः (Tvam Gatih) — You are my refuge/path
परमेश्वर (Parameshvara) — O Supreme Lord

Benefits

Nataraja’s dance represents the five cosmic activities — creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, and liberation
Invokes Shiva’s grace on all performing arts — dance, music, drama, and martial arts
Brings rhythm, harmony, and flow into all aspects of life
Destroys the demon of ignorance (Apasmara Purusha) trampled under Nataraja’s foot
Grants liberation — the ultimate message of the Ananda Tandava (dance of bliss)
Particularly beneficial for dancers, musicians, and performing artists
Activates creative energy in the Svadhisthana and Vishuddha chakras
Teaches the cosmic truth that creation and destruction are part of the same divine dance

When to Chant

Before any performing arts practice or performance. Daily morning practice. During Shivaratri. At the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

Historical & Scriptural Significance

The Nataraja icon at the Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu is one of the most celebrated artistic and philosophical representations of Shiva. The dance of Nataraja (Ananda Tandava) represents the five cosmic functions of Shiva: Srishti (creation — the upper right hand holds a drum/Damaru), Sthiti (preservation — the second right hand in Abhaya mudra), Samhara (dissolution — the upper left hand holds fire), Tirobhava (concealment — the foot treading on Apasmara), and Anugraha (liberation — the raised foot and pointing hand).

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja