Vision Versified

Without commenting on the travel of her Vakhs from oral tradition to popularly acceptable documented compilations available today, Lal Ded (born in1320 or 1335 AD), is the saint - poetess widely regarded as the greatest icon of Kashmiriyet; saviour of the Kashmiri language - who warded off the potential threat of Sanskrit; and the true mystic transcending compartmentalization; remembered by Baba Nasr as "manind humsheera Mansoor Halaj".

- S.Sarwar.Malik

Although semantics and legends have got mixed up and scores of vakhs attributed to Lal Ded have to be winnowed, credit goes to Sir George Greirson - who got 109 Vakhs gathered from Mukandram Shastri in 1914AD. Thanks to Richard Temple for his work on mystic lines and to dozens of local scholars for their contribution towards our great legacy and literature.

Unflinching faith in ideology and poetic mastery complement one another in the poetry of the revered mother in such a visionary manner that the charter of interfaith harmony and cosmic vision seems relevant even today.

Shiv chhoye thalle thalle roozaan

Mou zaan Heund tai Musalmaan

Trook hai chhookh te paan parzenav

Soyye chhay Sahibas zaeni zaan.

Shivathe divine energy, resides everywhere

Discriminate not between a Hindu and a Muslim

Realize the true self, if you are wise

That alone is true acquaintance with the Lord.

Rau matte thalle thalle taepetann

Taepetann votim daish

Varrun matte looke garri ae-tsy-tam

Shiv chhoye kruoth te ts-ain wopdaish

Doesn't the sun shine alike, on all abodes?

Does it only bless the highlands?

Doesn't the raingod visit all roofs; high and low?

Grasp the truth, Shiva isn't easy to realize.

(Vision VersifiedII)