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 kālīṁ jinī na rāviā dhaülī rāvai koi.
kari sāṁī siu pirhaṛī raṅgu navelā hoi.12.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1378
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the twelfth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, O Farid! Those who did not enjoy IkOankar while having black hair, hardly anyone enjoys IkOankar while having gray hair. Reflecting again on time spent, those who did not experience the joy of connection with IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) when they were young rarely experience that joy in old age. We think that the time for connection with the Divine is for when we are older. We tell ourselves that we will enjoy being young and that there will come a time when we have aged and things have calmed down, when we will feel that we finally have the time and space to seek connection with IkOankar. We put this off! We think spirituality is for old people, as a kind of third or fourth act of life. Sheikh Farid urges us to reflect on the habits we are forming in youth that will carry us through every stage of life.
Sheikh Farid says, attach love with the beloved Owner; its color is new every day. We are urged to seek that devotion and love with IkOankar now. It is this love that is ever-fresh and ever-new, no matter the age. We enjoy worldly love and relationships—we are so familiar with the sense of excitement of a budding relationship when we are young, the newness it brings, the way it seems to change color and shape with each passing day. Eventually, that worldly love steadies and maybe even stagnates when we are older. What would it look like to have a love that felt like it was always new? If there is love with IkOankar, it is a new flavor every day, eternally. Will we enjoy IkOankar now? Will we experience that new color every day?
