Vision of Lalleshwari

Lalleshwari or Lal Ded, was a 14th-century mystic with a vision of the past, present and future.

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, O Lord
So what can we offer You?"

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So sang Lalleshwari or Lal Ded. The 14th century village girl turned mystical genius, had a vision of the past, present and future. She foretold the condition of our present times, that material advancement has led to internal despair. Although the world has become a global village or family due to communication and networking, we still fight over narrow things like caste, creed and colour.

But Lalla also sang of hope for sincere aspirants to realise God within. Essentially, she was a torch bearer of the new spiritual movement that witnessed great saints like Guru Nanak, Meera, Kabir,Tukaram and many others.

Born into a Pandit family, she found herself inundated by empty rituals. Her mother-in-law starved her. She would serve a big round stone covered with a layer of rice to give it the semblance of a big helping. Lalla would patiently wash the stone and keep it back in the kitchen for her mother-in-law to use again.

Lalla revealed her agony but counselled patience, contentment and forebearance. Finally, she relinquished her home and became a wandering nun. People flocked to her as her supernatural powers got revealed. Failing to dislodge her from the spiritual path, Lalla's mother-in-law poisoned her son's mind with false accusations. One day as Lalla returned from filling her water pitcher, her husband accosted and abused her. He struck her pitcher in rage, but miraculously the water stayed intact though the earthern pot broke and scattered.

Today we see only disharmony, discord and dispute. Lalleshwari's life and teachings can uplift us, infusing in us the spirit of patience, love and brotherhood.

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