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.
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?
