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.
kavaṇu su akharu kavaṇu guṇu kavaṇu su maṇīā mantu.
kavaṇu su veso haü karī jitu vasi āvai kantu.126.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1384
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the one hundred and twenty-sixth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, Which is that letter? Which is that virtue? Which is that jewel-like mantra? Which is that guise that I may put on, through which the Divine-Husband may come under control? Sheikh Farid uses the register of the human-bride or the seeker to reflect on the relationship between the seeker and IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) as the Divine-Husband. When we are seeking connection with IkOankar, we may feel lost and inexperienced. Some use particular letters or mantras or pieces of jewelry, believing these to carry a lot of spiritual currency. We may, in our desperation, ask what else we can do. What is the letter to hone in or focus on? What virtue ought we cultivate? What is that jewel-like mantra?
People involve themselves in all sorts of these things, so do the religious. Sheikh Farid’s questions are big and cover many varieties of avenues of devotion to IkOankar. When we are seeking connection, we often go to other people to tell us what to do, what to say and when and how, or what guise to put on to please the Divine-Husband. This happens in a worldly sense and in a transworldly sense. We are asking how to get the One to enter and dwell in our hearts—how to feel the Presence of the One. Will we find a way to feel that Presence?
