Lalleshwari or Lal Ded was a 14th c. Kashmiri yogini in the Shaivite tradition. She is deeply loved in Kashmir, both by Hindus and Muslims, and it is said that only two words have meaning there: Allah and Lalla. For more about her, see this previous post. This poem expresses the beginner”s feeling of inadequacy to attain the goal.
A grass arrow fitted on a wooden bow I am.
My palace is in the hands of an ignorant carpenter.
In the midst of the market place I am
like a shop without a lock.
My body has become bereft of sanctity.
Who would understand my plight?
Translation Jaishree Kak
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“Wie oren heeft om te horen, laat hij horen.” — Matteüs 11:15
Hazrat Inayat Khan, The Sufi Message, deel VIII, The Art of Being: “Niemand kan zijn medemens een groter genoegen doen dan hem te begrijpen.”
Lalleshwari eindigt met: “Wie zou mijn nood begrijpen?”
Misschien is begrijpen soms belangrijker dan uitleggen. 🌹