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.
In the one hundred and eleventh stanza, Guru Arjan continues to expand on Sheikh Farid’s one hundred and seventh stanza and says,
O Farid! the heart is colored with this world; the world is not of any use. Just as in the previous stanza, where Guru Arjan said we are all resounding in the plays of
Maya (attachment to transient things and relationships), we continue with this idea here. The world is like a dream—it is being drummed and resounding with temporariness and attachment, and we are all moving to that beat. Our hearts are
colored with this attachment, instead of with the deep love of the One. It is not enough then, to get up early in the morning to engage in devotion to
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One)—we ought to be living in the Will of IkOankar and actively ridding ourselves of vices. How can we do this? It does not happen just when we wake up early and engage in discipline. It happens when we set the intention to become truly
fakir-like in our lives.
How can we become fakir-like in our lives? Guru Arjan says,
The way of life of the fakirs is difficult; that is found through complete fortunes. This way of life is not easy. But we do not have to do it all alone. This path is found through the Grace of the One. We rid ourselves of our vices by cultivating the virtues within us. We can create the circumstances for this shedding, and seek to feel the Grace of the One. We can develop good fortune through our deep devotion and deep discipline. Mechanical discipline is not enough. Will we engage in devotion with intention? Will we walk the path of the mendicant without expectation? Will we color our hearts in love rather than in attachment?
