Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Yoga / Hindu : Shaivite (Shiva)

14th Century

About Lalla (Lal Ded)

Timeline (14th Century)

Lalla (Lal Ded), Lalla (Lal Ded) poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, Shaivite (Shiva) poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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English version by
Coleman Barks

What is worship? Who are this man

Themes

Garden

Honey

Lotus

Rose

Silence

Recommended Books

	The Ascent of Self: A Reinterpretation of the Mystical Poetry of Lalla-Ded, by B. N. Paramoo
	Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment, Edited by Daniel Halpern
	Lalleshwari: Spiritual Poems by a Great Siddha Yogini, Translated by Swami Muktananda
	Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women, Edited by Jane Hirshfield

What is worship? Who are this man
and this woman bringing flowers?

What kinds of flowers should be brought,
and what streamwater poured over the images?

Real worship is done by the mind
(Let that be a man) and by the desire
(Let that be a woman). And let those two
choose what to sacrifice.

There is a liquid that can be released
from under the mask of the face,
a nectar which when it rushes down
gives discipline and strength.

Let that be your sacred pouring,
Let your worship song be silence.

-- from Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment, Edited by Daniel Halpern

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Lalla (Lal Ded)

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World