Prof B L Kaul
Title : The Ascent of Self
A Reinterpretation of the Mystical Poetry of Lalla-Ded
Author : Prof B N Parimoo
Language : English
Pages : 217
Price : Paperback: Rs 500/-
Publisher : Moti Lal Banarsi Dass
Pvt Ltd Delhi-110007
ISBN : 978-81-208-0305-3
Kashmir Saivism is an offshoot of the main Hindu Vedic/Upanishadic thought. Its Principal variety is called Pratyabhijnya System (doctrine of self or self-recognition) that represents a radical revision of the Indian mystical thought. It finds expression in the mystical poetry of Lalleshwari (Lalla Ded) a noted 14th century woman mystic. Her guru was Sidha Srikanth and she learnt yoga from him. Lalla Ded propounded Laya yoga which has come down to us through her verse-sayings comprehended in the term, “Lalla vaakh’’. These verse-sayings are germinal to Kashmiri poetry that is rich inyogic knowledge. Lalleshwari emphasizes a Nirguna Ishwar and Advaita or non-duality. Lalla’s verses go straight to one’s heart and she makes abstract principles of Saivism very easy and intelligible for us. She observes in one of her utterances that, “one who considers himself not different from the other; one who accepts sorrows and pleasures alike; one who frees himself from duality; one who frees himself from the ego, he or she alone tells the beads of the highest lord. Basic to spiritual awakening in Kashmir Saivism is the awakening of Kundalini and progress of the seeker through seven spiritual centers or plexuses or Cakras viz Muladhara, Swadisthan, Manipura, Anahata, Vishudha; Ajna and Sahasarara. As the seeker progresses under the guidance of the Guru from one cakra to the other he/she also progresses in his/her spiritual experiences culminating in self realization attained in the crown cakra located in the head. At every stage of progress the seeker has different cumulative experiences. Lalla describes her spiritual progress from one stage to another through her vaakhs. Prof B N Parimoo has succeeded in arranging Lalla’s vaakhs in such an order that clearly indicates her progress from one stage to another. As one studies Lalla’s verses or vaakhs in their entirety, one does not miss the element of evolution in her personal experiences.Prof Parimoo observes.”In fact the personal element in the poetry of the Yogeshwari is intriguing. The verses are the poetical expression of the spiritual changes she undergoes in her life with passage of time. The conspicuous first person, singular number of the subject in each sentence catches our attention. It impresses us as a poetical element, uniquely individual. The subjectiveness carries along with it the flavour of lyrical emotion. The element of personal experiences leads itself to an arrangement of a developing or evolving process which is surely autobiographical. Through her vaakhs the Yogeshwari writes the autobiography of her soul.’’ As Lalla starts her spiritual quest and receives the diksha (initiation) from her guru, she faces the usual difficulties of a seeker. She is unable to concentrate her mind and get rid of the material burden that all of us carry with us. She approaches her guru Sedamol and asks him a thousand times as to how she would achieve her goal (Guwaras pritsham sasi late- I asked the guru a thousand times V27). The Guru’s reply was simple (Guwaran vonunam Kunay vatsun- The guru gave me the word V27) “seek within yourself and not without’’. Thereafter starts her spiritual metamorphosis. As caterpillar weaves a cocoon around itself likewise did Lalla seek the Lord within her and as the caterpillar emerges as a beautiful butterfly so did, Lalla emerge as a liberated soul having attained union with Shiva. To a serious reader of “Lalla vaakhs’’ autobiographical element is self evident and unmistakable. So is the evolutionery process. This has been beautifully illustrated with examples by Prof Parimoo. The verse sayings are systemtically arranged to demonstrate the evolution. It transpires that there is an unmistakable ascent of the soul from the lowest cakra i.e Muladhara cakra to the top sahasrara cakra of the pyramid. Such was the impact of “Lalla vaakhs’’ on the Kashmiri mind that in the words of Swami Muktanada, “her philosohical poems were sung in every home in Kashmir. Hindus as well as Muslims have respected her. To her the truth was above any sect, creed or religion. In her poems she has narrated openly the experiences of her spiritual growth and the final attainment.’’ Many translations and commentaries on Lalleshwari’s vaakhs have appeared beginning with “Lalla vakyani’’ by Sir George Grierson and Lionel D Barnell (1920) who took all the pains to dig out her vaakhs. “Ascent of self’’ by Prof B N Parimoo stands out as a thoroughly analysed piece of research on Lalla’s life and evolution of her thought process and spiritual progress culminating in her divine union with Shiva. The reinterpretation of the mystical poetry of Lalleshwari by Prof Parimoo is indeed remarkable. As useful and valuable books such as “The Ascent of Self’ go out of print, they are reprinted invariably. I am glad that an attractive reprint of the volume in question has been brought out. It will be welcome to readers at large. Prof B N Parimoo is not with us now but we do know and do not doubt that he would have felt happy about a reprint coming into the market on popular demand.
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