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 fourteenth stanza, Sheikh Farid says,
O the one searching for the Suhag, the Divine-Husband! There is some flaw within your body, The ones whose name is ‘suhagan,’ for them there is no other hope. What is it that we seek in our worldly relationships, especially in a marriage? We want connection, we want our love to grow, we want it to survive even the toughest of times, we want it to endure even as we change. We want presence even without physical presence, and we want companionship. We want the same in our trans-worldly relationship with
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). And in both relationships, if we do not have these things, we go through a painful period of separation. As seekers, we endure this separation. We search for connection. We wonder what flaws are within us that have resulted in us not being able to experience union or connection with the Spouse. And even when we experience connection, it can quickly escape us.
Sheikh Farid says, Those
suhagans, those happily married brides, those greatly fortunate and connected seekers, do not experience connection in every moment! Instead, it is that even when they experience separation, they place all their hope in the One from Whom they are separated. What makes someone a
suhagan? It is that there is no other expectation—no other desire. They know union will happen even if they have shortcomings or flaws within. They do not give up on this relationship. They do not leave it. They understand the ebbing and flowing that connection entails. And because of this conviction, this faith, this deep intimacy with the Spouse, the fortunate seekers remain fortunate, even in separation. Will we work toward this kind of connection? Will we experience the bliss of union and the joy of longing for union?
