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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 toward the devotion of the one absolute IkOankar (the Divine), which is the true purpose of life. In these saloks, Farid Ji shares that our time in this world is finite, and thus, one should immediately turn to the devotion of IkOankar without delay. However, due to attachment to transient things and relationships, many forget this truth and become entangled in vices, leading to a perpetually restless and uneasy life. However, the being who embraces virtues such as remembrance of IkOankar, love, humility, tolerance, patience, contentment, selfless service, and righteous living, experiences the bliss of connection with IkOankar even while leading a householder’s life. Their life becomes comfortable and peaceful.
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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