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.
dātī sāhib sandīā kiā calai tisu nāli.
iki jāgande nā lahan̖i ikn̖ā sutiā dei uṭhāli.113.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1384
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the one hundred and thirteenth stanza, Guru Nanak expands on Sheikh Farid’s stanza and says, the gifts are of the Owner; what influence works on That Owner? Some do not take these gifts even while awake; to some, who have fallen asleep, the Divine awakens them and gives. Guru Nanak tells us that all gifts belong to IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) and rest in IkOankar’s will. Who can do anything in front of that sovereign One? As we walk our paths toward IkOankar, we might begin to enter into this kind of expectation. We might tell ourselves that if we simply practice particular efforts toward devotion and cultivate discipline, we will get what we deserve. We will be given the gift of connection. We might reduce things to the mechanics of transaction. We might think that the result is entirely in our hands.
Guru Nanak is gently reminding us that we cannot receive any gift from IkOankar by our own efforts or means. These gifts come because IkOankar Own-Self bestows them. There is no simple explanation of the way of IkOankar! Even those of us who are asleep can be awakened and abundantly blessed. Some who are awakened are not able to receive this gift, and some who are sleeping are awakened to receive it. This is not just about what time we get up in the morning—though making an effort is always good. This is not about what kind of avenues of connection we have pursued and why they are not ‘working.’ But this is not about our effort, it is about Grace. It is about the disposition of a lover. When love burns us, when it causes an ache within us—for connection with the beloved One, that burning makes us remember the beloved One just before we sleep, and just after we get up. Guru Nanak urges us not to have any fixations or expectations or transactions in mind when it comes to our spirituality or relationship with the One. It is not just getting up early, not just going through the motions, not just discipline, that gives us this gift. It is loving devotion and the Grace in the aforesaid. Will we refrain from reducing all things to just efforts and tasks? Will we reflect on whether we are prepared to receive the gift of connection? Will we feel the grace?
