Authors: Assistant Professor Dr Junaid Shabir, Assistant Professor Dr Jehanara Wani
Abstract: This paper undertakes a re-evaluation of the 14th-century Kashmiri mystic-poet Lal Ded (Lalleshwari) through the lens of classical literary theory, particularly Sanskrit poetics. By applying key concepts such as Rasa, Dhvani, and Vakrokti, the study explores how Lal Ded’s vakhs transcend their immediate devotional and mystical contexts to achieve aesthetic universality. Her utterances—rooted in the experiential depth of Shaiva mysticism and vernacular expression—are reinterpreted through Śānta Rasa, the aesthetic of tranquility and detachment, while the suggestive power of Dhvani reveals multilayered spiritual meanings beyond literal interpretation. Additionally, the paper draws upon classical hermeneutics to demonstrate how her minimalistic, aphoristic style enables complex philosophical communication. This classical approach not only enriches our understanding of Lal Ded’s poetics but also positions her within a broader, pan-Indian literary tradition, bridging bhakti, mysticism, and classical aesthetic theory.
