LALLESHWARI

[Guest guest]

L A L L E S H W A R I

(Her Life and Visions)

 

 

" You are the Sky, You are the earth;

You are the day, the very air, the night;

You are the grain-offering, sandal paste,

flowers and water too;

You are everything, oh Lord!

So what can we offer to you! "

 

 

The land of Kashmir reveals the abundance of natural and spiritual beauty. Lot

of admirers, including sages and Kings, have paid tributes in their own way to

this blissful valley. The admiration of famous Mughal King Jahangir is well

known : " if there is a Heaven on earth, it is here, it is here.. "

 

If we go into the past and delve into the ancient Kashmir, we find more of

perfection, spiritual fulfilment and blissful charm. The famous historian and

author of Rajtarangini (chronicle of kings) has vividly compared abundance of

Kashmir almost matching the description of " Devaloka " . Nilmata Puran also

glorifies the land, flaura, fauna and inhabitants of Kashmir.

 

She had a Vision -Of Past Present and Future. She could see beyond times:

right from the formation of Kashmir valley out of vast lake, a great expansion

of water, surrounded on all sides by mountains. After this vision of the past

she could see the present - her times. She could narrate the woes and turbulence

permeating her life and the society in general.

 

But, surprisingly, she could remarkably visualise the future, which comprises

of our present times. She has clearly brought out contradiction of the present

age--inspite of it plenty how people are still craving with mad zeal. Material

advancement has led to internal despair. Although world has become one village

or family due to communication and networking, still we are fighting over narrow

things like caste, creed and colour.

 

She was none other than LALLESHWARI, popularly called LAL-DED. She was 14th

Century village girl turned into a mystical genious, who reached supreme heights

of Sainthood. We are wonderstuck at her self-effort, stark worldly realities,

self transformation and hope for ever sincere aspirant to realise God within

oneself and within this very life. Some call her " Mira of Kashmir " . Some sufi

saints have hailed her as " Second Rabia of Bassra " . But, essentially, she was

torch bearer of the new spiritual movements, which witnessed arrival of great

saints like Guru Nanak, Mira Bhai, Kabir,Tuka Ram, etc.

 

Her story which is basically linked to her times, when in a pandit house, she

found she was lost within the facade of rituals. Moral degenaration had set in

and people seemed to have no answer. Wickedness was in abundance and well

represented by her mother-in-law. She would starve her. She would serve her meal

which consisted of a big round stone covered with a layer of rice to give it a

semblance of big helping of food. Lalla would respond with patience and

equanimity. She would wash the round stone and keep in the kitchen for the next

use by her mother-in-law.

 

Strange are the Ways of the World! She witnessed wise and learned man

starving, withering like leaves emaciated during winter wind. On the other hand,

she saw a fool enjoying a full meal and then beating his cook, pointing to

mirror shortcomings. Lalla said she is waiting for deliverence from the odd ways

and bondages of this world.

 

Sufferings and Perseverence - face with total Equanimity! One is deeply moved

by her sadhana or tapasya. This was both external and internal. She found life

was getting wasted and one was only groping in the dark. Even Guru's

instruction's seemed too difficult for her to follow. She reveals her agony but

emphasises one has to bear with calamities and thunder in the spiritual sadhana.

The real guidance is patience, contentment and forebearance. Thus one gets

refined and can tread the spiritual path in real terms.

 

She relinquished her home and became a Wondering Monk! It is said people

flanked her as her supernatural powers got revealed. Guru's dictum was now clear

: it was time to leave home. No look back!

 

Since cruel mother-in-law failed to dislodge her from the spiritual path, she

poisioned her son with false accusations against her. One day she was returning

after filling the earthen pitcher with water. Her husband accosted her and

hurled accusitions. Then in rage he hit the pitcher. Lo! the water remained

intact although the broken earthen pieces of the pitcher fell down and got

scattered on the ground.

 

HER MIRACLES HAD A MESSAGE BEHIND. Many miracles are

attributed to her life. But what is important and remarkable is that each

incident had a message, which was relevant at that time and which is equally

relevant for the present time.

 

We have heard about various inspiring incidents and messages.

She tells the story of her previous births, the miracle of chandra-Kala etc. She

also makes her Guru aware of his obsession with " Maya " as he was counting his

assets in the form of horses deployed, when he appeared sitting in meditation.

She made the famous Nund Rishi aware as an infant her mother brought him to

Lal-Ded saying the baby is not sucking milk. " When you are not shy of coming in

this world, why feel shy of sucking milk " . Soon he followed her instructions.

 

HER PHILOSOPHY AND OUR TIMES. The present chaos in our world has

almost reached a flash point. We see only disharmony, discord and dispute which

can sow the seed for disaster. There is a great yearning for a saviour.

Lalleswari's life and teachings can uplift us. It can infuse in us the spirit of

patience, love, contentment, steadfastness, unity, spiritual

thrill, simple ways to reach Lord, Self discovery, etc. - all

ultimately leading to upliftment at individual, family, nation, and world as a

whole.

 

LALLESHWARI - HER SPIRITUAL GEMS

While expounding the relevance of Kashmir Shaivism our deepest gratitude goes

to Lalleshwari, whose teachings give a unique opportunity to have insight into

this mystic philosophy. She conveyed its essence in a simple way for benefit of

the humanity.

Emanating from the basic Creed of Kashmir Shaivism she stresses positive

acceptance of the material world rather than the philosophy of escapism. We can

rather say that God has made man in His own image. It is His Own Maya Shakti

which makes man to see differently. Therefore, real joy can be gained as we live

in this world and go about our work. Avoiding suppression and denial like great

puritans, we should exercise moderation in living and turning away from the

ambition of wealth, power and pleasures of senses. This will prepare us for the

inward journey to realize God.

We can, indeed, get the spiritual thrill by reproducing a few mystical

outpourings of her heart :-

GRACE OF GOD IS INDEPENDENT OF HUMAN EFFORT.

Some Thou pushed towards Bliss Thyself !

Some struggled very hard !

Some got drunk and obsessed :

Some one's Sadhna ended in Vain !

TO REALISE HIM OVERCOME THE BARRIERS

Shiva abides in all that exists anywhere ;

Do not discriminate between a Hindu and a Musalman ;

If you are wise, recognize your true Self ;

That is the true awareness of God.

DO NOT ESCAPE THE WORLD

Some renounced their homes, some the hermitages ;

stay as you are and be firm in your mind.

Thereby you will get established in the Self ;

What is the good of smearing ashes.

MODERATION IN LIVING

Overeating will not permit you reach the goal ;

Willful abstention from food makes you conceited.

Eat moderately to be a normal person ;

Moderate eating would surely lead to unbolting of the

Gates !

LOOK FOR GOD WITHIN

Looking for the mystic Moon within me ;

It was--like searching for the like.

I found Narayana (Shiva) permeating everywhere/

everything ;

Why this sport of diversity, Oh Lord !

ON KUNDALINI

Crossing the Six Forests, came the SHESHIKALA

oozing,

The Prakrti was sacrificed (burnt out) with the air

(Prana).

With the fire of love, I roasted my heart,

Thus SHIVA was realized by me.

BLISS

I, Lalla, entered through the garden - gate of my soul ;

There, O Joy ! I found SHIVA united with SHAKTI.

Overwhelmed, I got immersed in Lake of Nector.

Even though alive or dead, what can existence do unto me !

CONCLUSION

Let us work for upliftment as our goal. With our own self - effort we should

change and strive for enlightenment. Let this change permeate from man to

family, to state and nation as a whole. Leading to universal good this will

usher in peaceful and conflict free world.

 

 

 

 

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