Lal Ded's Vaakhs and Kashmir Shaivism
Kashmir, often described as the abode of saints, has produced a number of spiritually evolved persons. Among them Lal Ded, better known as Lalla Yogeshwari, ranks as a great mystic poetess of the 14th century She was an ardent practitioner of Kashmir Shaivism which is also known as Trika Shastra founded by Vasu Gupta. Lal Ded took Shaktipat Diksha from her guru, Sri Neel Kent. Married young, Lal Dedwas abused in her marital home. The suffering prompted her to renounce worldly life and turn to spirituality. From a state of despondency, Lal Ded turned her thoughts to God. Her spiritual journey commenced with a note ofuncertainty, she confessed, but as she progressed sheclaimed to have realised Lord Shiva to become a jivanmukta a liberated souleven while living in this illusoryworld. Lal Ded gave expression to her mystic and poetic inclinations through her vaakhs, the four-line poetic verses in guage. In verse, Lal Ded covers a vast area of spirituality-religion, Kashmir Shaivism and even Vedantawhere she says that she isreading the Bhagavad Gitaevery moment of her life. She was also inspired byIslam and Sufism. Lal Ded'svaakhs' universal appeal attracts ordinary people as well as spiritually evolvedpersons. Simple rural folk, too, sing these vouches to get inspired while they work the fields. The vaakhs are suffusedwith such deep meaning that both eastern and western scholars and saints have studied them with great interest. They have com mented upon a total of 138 vaakhs which are recognised as authentic. Each lakh reveals Lal Deed’s knowledge of kundalini and other yogas. Her vaakhs are an outpouring of her soul, both an expression of inner experience and observation. Her central theme is her discovery ofShiva within. Lal Ded says: "Chanting 'Om' and maddened with love, I set out in His search. I roamed day and night. My most auspicious moment came when I discovered my Lord ensconced in my own heart." Her love of Shiva is sometimes compared to Mira's love for Krishna. Lal Ded eschewed the rigidity of religion and rituals. She rejected social and religious rites, rituals, dogmas, chanting, fasting, idol worship and even taking a dip in sacred waters. She preferred deep and silent meditation which she described asn a mantra to reach God. The vaakhs speak of the oneness of all existence, service to mankind, equality, purity of mind and self control. This conveys not only the significance of self-control but also advises not to covet things thabelong to others. She saysthat the uncontrolled mind runs amok in the five streets (senses): "Let abuses come to me from all sides; still, I will not harbour any ill will towards those who abuse me." Lal Ded does not ad Vocate escapismshe asks us t arise and ascend with our karmas. to attain liberation here and now. For, if we cannot realise Him in our lifetime, how can we see Him after death? "Will the sun not shine alike at all places? Will it give heat only to holy places?" She neverdifferentiated between a Hin du and a Muslim. She was equally revered by both com munities. Like the Gita's ver ses Lal Ded's vaakhs advocate a moral and ethical code of conduct and provides tips for spiritual advancement She gives a call to ascend to a higher level of growth While performing one's
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are RK Langar views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: RK Langar and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Lal Ded's Vaakhs and Kashmir Shaivism
Kashmir, often described as the abode of saints, has produced a number of spiritually evolved persons. Among them Lal Ded, better known as Lalla Yogeshwari, ranks as a great mystic poetess of the 14th century She was an ardent practitioner of Kashmir Shaivism which is also known as Trika Shastra founded by Vasu Gupta. Lal Ded took Shaktipat Diksha from her guru, Sri Neel Kent. Married young, Lal Dedwas abused in her marital home. The suffering prompted her to renounce worldly life and turn to spirituality. From a state of despondency, Lal Ded turned her thoughts to God. Her spiritual journey commenced with a note ofuncertainty, she confessed, but as she progressed sheclaimed to have realised Lord Shiva to become a jivanmukta a liberated souleven while living in this illusoryworld. Lal Ded gave expression to her mystic and poetic inclinations through her vaakhs, the four-line poetic verses in guage. In verse, Lal Ded covers a vast area of spirituality-religion, Kashmir Shaivism and even Vedantawhere she says that she isreading the Bhagavad Gitaevery moment of her life. She was also inspired byIslam and Sufism. Lal Ded'svaakhs' universal appeal attracts ordinary people as well as spiritually evolvedpersons. Simple rural folk, too, sing these vouches to get inspired while they work the fields. The vaakhs are suffusedwith such deep meaning that both eastern and western scholars and saints have studied them with great interest. They have com mented upon a total of 138 vaakhs which are recognised as authentic. Each lakh reveals Lal Deed’s knowledge of kundalini and other yogas. Her vaakhs are an outpouring of her soul, both an expression of inner experience and observation. Her central theme is her discovery ofShiva within. Lal Ded says: "Chanting 'Om' and maddened with love, I set out in His search. I roamed day and night. My most auspicious moment came when I discovered my Lord ensconced in my own heart." Her love of Shiva is sometimes compared to Mira's love for Krishna. Lal Ded eschewed the rigidity of religion and rituals. She rejected social and religious rites, rituals, dogmas, chanting, fasting, idol worship and even taking a dip in sacred waters. She preferred deep and silent meditation which she described asn a mantra to reach God. The vaakhs speak of the oneness of all existence, service to mankind, equality, purity of mind and self control. This conveys not only the significance of self-control but also advises not to covet things thabelong to others. She saysthat the uncontrolled mind runs amok in the five streets (senses): "Let abuses come to me from all sides; still, I will not harbour any ill will towards those who abuse me." Lal Ded does not ad Vocate escapismshe asks us t arise and ascend with our karmas. to attain liberation here and now. For, if we cannot realise Him in our lifetime, how can we see Him after death? "Will the sun not shine alike at all places? Will it give heat only to holy places?" She neverdifferentiated between a Hin du and a Muslim. She was equally revered by both com munities. Like the Gita's ver ses Lal Ded's vaakhs advocate a moral and ethical code of conduct and provides tips for spiritual advancement She gives a call to ascend to a higher level of growth While performing one's
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are RK Langar views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: RK Langar and Speaking Tree,Times of India