Lalaa of the Gurmukhi alphabet.

Gurmukhi Pronunciation Guide

Lalaa is a consonant of the Gurmukhi script of Gurbani and identical to the Punjabi alphabet. Lalaa has the sound of L and is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable like sa-saw. The Romanized spelling of Lalaa is phonetic and may also appear spelled as Lalla. Spellings may differ slightly in original Gurmukhi as well as Romanized and English translations of Gurbani.

Significance in Sikh Scripture

Sikh scripture includes acrostic form of poetic verse written by first Guru Nanak as a young boy when given a homework assignment in school to write the alphabet. His teacher expressed astonishment when the child Nanak Dev wrote:

• "Lalai laa-e dhandhhai jin chhoddee meethhaa maa-i-aa mohu kee-aa ||
  LALLA: He who assigned the created beings to their tasks, has made such illusory involvement seem sweet to them." SGGS||434

Other acrostic verses in Gurbani include:

• "Lalaa lapatt bikhai ras raatae ||
  LALLA: Entangled, they are tainted by their taste for corrupt pleasures." Guru Arjun Dev SGGS||252
• "Lalaa taa kai lavai na ko-oo ||
  LALLA: Equal to Him, there is none." Guru Arjun Dev SGGS||252
• "Lalaa laavo aoukhadh jaahoo ||
  LALLA: Apply the medicine of God's name." Guru Arjun Dev SGGS||259
• "Lalaa aisae liv man laavai ||
  LALLA: Embrace devotional love and to your heart apply it" Kabir SGGS||342