Lalleshvari

(14th c.) Devotional (bhakti) poet-saint
also known as Lal Ded, who is one of the
most popular poets in Kashmir.
Lalleshvari was a devotee (bhakta) of
the god Shiva; her songs focus on her
devotion to him. Like many other
female devotional exemplars, she had a
difficult time integrating her marriage
with her commitment to her chosen
deity. According to tradition, her motherin-law treated her quite cruelly. Her
husband is described as an unfeeling
man who neither objected to the abuse
nor comforted his wife. After about
twelve years of suffering she left home to
wander as a religious seeker. To symbolize her renunciation of all attachments
and earthly values, including feminine
modesty, Lalleshvari wandered nude.
During her wanderings she composed
and sang songs of devotion to Shiva,
which are still popular today.