[MD] lila waken

[MarshaV]

Greetings,

I found another reference to the word 'lila' in the Lame Deer book.  After googling, I found only a reference that suggests its meaning as 'very good', but I cannot be sure because many of the references were in Spanish.  In the book, 'lila wakan' is set in italics and is used to refer to a woman.   


Marsha





   "The beautiful woman spoke to the two hunters: "Do not be afraid.  I have come from the buffalo nation with a message for your people, a good message."  As he looked upon her, the older of the two hunters was overcome with a desire to possess her.  He stretched out his hand to touch her, but she was _lila wakan_, more than human, and had not come to gratify the lust of a man.  It is sometimes said that as soon as the hunter reached out to seize her a cloud descended and enveloped him.  After it dissolved, a heap of dry bones was all that was left of this man. This is not the only way the story is related, and it is not quite as the spirits have told me.  When the right time comes, and I feel able to do it, I shall talk more about his.  But one thing is certain---desire killed that man, as desire has killed many before and after him.  If this earth should be destroyed, it will be by desire, by the lust of pleasure and self-gratification, by greed for the green frog skin, by people who are mindful only of their own self, forgetting about the wants of others. 

   "So there was only one young hunter left, and the White Buffalo Woman told him to go back to his people and tell them to prepare for her coming.  She explained what she wanted them to do..."   

 (John (Fire) Lame Deer & Ricard Erdoes, 'Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions',p.266)



p.s. The phrase 'green frog skin' refers to U.S. money.   
 
___