Darvesh-e-Khuda Mast Na Sharqi Hai Na Gharbi
Ghar Mera Na Dilli, Na Safahan, Na Samarqand
(Nor East, nor west my home,
Nor Samarkand, nor Ispahan nor Delhi; in ecstasy,)
Kehta Hun Wohi Baat Samajhta Hun Jise Haq
Ne Abla-e-Masjid Hun, Na Tehzeeb Ka Farzand
( God‐filled, I roam, speaking what truth I see
No fool for priests, nor yet of this age’s fry.)
Perhaps, Allama Iqbal wrote these couplets just to pay a tribute to ‘Lalded alike’ Personalities.
Bundles of stories and legends entangled Lalded, as a consequence, her identity has become hazy. Some people by virtue of their research work tacitly claim to have brushed away the cobwebs but that does not sound true. Ambiguities have veiled this ‘great mystic’ today as well. That infact manifests the success of her poetry and significance of her towering stature because any person whose identity is surrounded by legends reflects the multi-dimensional values and shades of that personality.
It is beyond any shadow of doubt and an established fact that Lalded was a mystic of lofty status who had attained the knowledge of God to the degree that Sheikh-ul-Aalam Noor-ud-din Wali (R.A.), a brilliant star on the mystic firmament, had to pay her homage with these verses:
‘Tas PadmanPore Che Lalay’
‘yemi Gale Gale Amrit Chewo’
‘Tami Shiv Woch Thali Thaley’
‘Teuth Mea War Detam Devo’
[Lalded who hailed from Pampore attained that level of spiritual cadre where man becomes immortal. She united herself with God. O’ My Lord! Bless me, too, such a status.]
Every nation supports its identity and status with some artist or poet. The English identifies itself with Shakespeare, the German with Goethe, the Bengali with Tagore, the Iranian with Sa’adi, the Hindus with Kalidaas, the Punjabis with Waris Shah while Kashmiris with Sheikh-ul-Aalam and Lalded.
When we go through the poetry of Lalded, We discover her peeping into those extents where the apparent eyes have no access.
Lalded is a beacon which blazed the path of spirituality. Her Vakhyas (poetic verses) left an imprint on the minds of Kashmiri people.
Interestingly, people who reach the zenith of their popularity and grandeur are usually searched in legends than reality.
Ibn-I-Khaldoon the founder of historiography framed the rule that any event gets enclosed to legendaries as much it rises to fame and popularity.
Goethe said that the apex of human grandeur concludes its reality on a legend.
Nazir Jahangr is a Freelance Writer and columnist
