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.
sabar manjh kamāṇ e sabaru kā nīhaṇo.
sabar sandā bāṇu khālaku khatā na karī.115.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1384
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the one hundred and fifteenth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, if within there is a bow of patience, a bowstring of this patience, and an arrow of patience, then the Creator does not let it go to waste. Sheikh Farid uses this imagery to remind us that if we were to have a bow crafted entirely from patience, then the Creator, IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, Force, the One), the sovereign One, will always ensure that its target is never missed. Even as we walk the path of devotion to the One, we as seekers spend so much time steeped in expectation. We wonder why we do not feel connection even as we have been engaging in particular practices or disciplines or efforts. We lack patience. We compare ourselves to other seekers. We wonder what is wrong with us. Sheikh Farid remind us that everything is patience in this relationship with the One. Let us think about the bow. The more we stretch a bow, the farther its arrow flies. The stronger the arrow is able to pierce. The stretching takes time and patience and strength. And so the mind needs to make a bowstring of patience, a bow, an arrow of all patience. If we can cultivate patience in tandem with our devotional love, there is no way the Creator will let all that effort centered on patience go to waste.
As we seek connection with the One, we wonder when it will finally happen. We might change the way we engage, thinking that maybe our methods are flawed. We might wonder why others are feeling that connection and we are not. We might become impatient in our separation, frustrated and hopeless. If we can make all three elements of our ‘bow and arrow’ of patience, we will hit our target with swiftness, deeply and with purpose. Will we lovingly cultivate patience within ourselves? Will we trust that this patience will not go to waste?
