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Salok Sheikh Farid Ji

Sheikh Farid Ji

Salok Sheikh Farid Ji
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The saloks of Sheikh Farid Ji guide the seeker towards life’s true purpose, the devotion to the one absolute Divine, IkOankar. In these saloks, he reminds us that our time in this world is finite; therefore, one must turn to IkOankar without delay. Yet, attachment to transient possessions and relationships causes many to forget this truth, becoming entangled in vices that lead to restlessness and inner turmoil. In contrast, those who cultivate virtues such as love, humility, patience, contentment, selfless service, and righteousness experience the bliss of connection with IkOankar even while living a householder’s life. Their life becomes serene and suffused with inner joy.
dekhu pharīdā ju thīā   dāṛī hoī bhūr.
agahu neṛā āiā   pichā rahiā dūri.9.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1378

Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the ninth salok, Sheikh Farid says, O Farid! Look what has happened; the beard has turned gray. Outwardly, we can tell when the hair changes color that time has passed. Even as we say that time flies, that years can pass in the blink of an eye, this visible sign of aging and time’s passage can shake us out of our own sleepwalking.

Sheikh Farid says, the future has come close; the past has been left far behind. This is an urgent stanza. This is when the future we thought was so far away is understood as being almost the present. We are closer to death than we are to the past, and we will not get any time back. We are urged to take care of what is important with whatever time is left—to figure out how to be in true devotion and true remembrance. Will we heed the call of our slowly graying hair? Will we feel a sense of urgency in the present?  
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