Among the greatest poets, saints and mystics of Kashmir, the name of Lalla stands out prominently. Her natural inclination to spiritualism and God led her speedily in the path of God and self realization. Her Guru was Siddha Srikanth who guided her in spiritual practices which she practiced with utmost faith and discipline till she reached her goal of ‘abode of nectar’ – the ultimate goal where the soul merges with God. This wise woman of Kashmir had a wealth of spiritual experiences and wisdom which she shared with her people. There was chaos and strife around, and her people needed her guidance. In order that her knowledge and experiences reach the masses, she spread them in their own language and not Sanskrit. She taught her people love and tolerance and the way to God. She laid the foundations of rich Kashmiri literature and folklore. Nearly one third of Kashmiri idioms and sayings derive their origin from Lalla’s sayings. The Kashmiri language is full of her sayings. Even today, the common people of that land speak her sayings.
Lalla’s life was full of mystical happenings which taught people around her valuable lessons on how to live life. These events are remembered even today and people get inspiration to think right, speak right and live right. From birth she had memory of her past births and people who were related to her through karma. Her husband, father in law and mother in law were a part of her life due to her past karma. She was able to put up with the continuous harassment and cruelty from her mother in law with patience and compassion. Her behavior and character is quoted even today as benchmark by mothers and grandmothers of girls in Kashmir when they teach the proper behavior of a bride to be.
After Lalla left home and became a wandering ascetic, she lived a very strict and frugal life. She gave up all her comforts and even her clothes. Most of the people honored her and treated her with respect. But there are always exceptions. Once , while she was passing through the village market, a group of young rowdies made fun of her and mocked at her. A sober minded vendor of cloth who knew the value of Lalla intervened and scolded them. Lalla asked the vendor for two pieces of ordinary cloth, equal in weight. She put one piece on each shoulder and continued her wandering. During the day, she met many people. Some had salutations for her and others- gibes. For every salutation, she put a knot on the cloth on her right shoulder and for every gibe , she added a knot onto the cloth on her left shoulder. In the evening, she went back to the market, to the vendor of the cloth. The youthful rowdies were still hanging out there as usual. She called out to them and others nearby and then gave the two pieces of cloth to the vendor and had them weighed. Neither piece had gained or lost an ounce of weight! She brought home to the vendor, the rowdies, the other watchers and her disciples that we should not lose our mental peace and balance under any condition and our equipoise should not be shaken by the way others greet or treat us.
Lalla had a large following of both Hindus and Muslims. When she gave up her body and merged with the infinite – Her Shiva, both the Hindus and Muslims claimed her mortal remains. As a verbal squabble rose, there shot a flame of light from her body and it vanished into shoonya or void. Legend says that the fully clad figure of a brilliantly shining Lalla was seen in the flame and she bid a final goodbye to all her disciples and followers and merged with the Cosmic Brilliance.
The name of Lalla is taken with utmost respect and reverence even today in Kashmir. She is honored as a saint or mystic. Many see her as an avatar. She was an apostle of peace and patience, harmony and tolerance – qualities which are badly needed today. She sings of Shiva:
You are the heaven and You are the earth,
You are the day and You are the night,
You are all pervading air,
You are the sacred offering of rice and flowers and of water;
You are Yourself all in all
What can I offer You?
The best thing we can offer to God and Guru is our selfless love, full surrender and follow the practices taught to us. Let us continue with the SitaRam mantra, meditation and the teachings of the Guru and attain wisdom and light.
