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.
pharīdā akhī dekhi patīṇīāṁ suṇi suṇi rīṇe kann.
sākh pakandī āīā hor kareṁdī vann.11.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1378
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the eleventh stanza, Sheikh Farid says, O Farid! The eyes, having seen and seen, have become thin; the ears, having heard and heard, have become empty. This world is full of constant change, constant stimuli, and constant theatrics, plays, colors, and phenomena. At some point, we can no longer see everything. We stop wanting to. At some point, we can no longer hear everything. Our ears become tired of listening to everything. We lack the capacity, the strength, or the desire. These are physical changes that we can notice, changes in the body that mark the passage of time.
Sheikh Farid continues, while assuming more and more colors, the crop continues to ripen. Over time, the crops change colors, beginning to ripen in preparation for harvest. Our bodies continue to ripen, changing in color and capacity, preparing to be harvested by Death. When it is all over, these bodily parts will, in a way, be ‘cut’ by rituals or customs. Sheikh Farid is urging us into alertness, consciousness, or awareness. It is as if he is saying, Do something, fast! You are weak and fragile. There is not much time left now. The future is close, the past is farther than we know. The things we used to listen to, we no longer listen to. We don’t want to participate in that conversation or see certain things. Everything is changing. Will we take this moment seriously? Will we make an effort while we still can?
