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 koṭhe manḍap māṛīā usārede bhī gae.
kūṛā saüdā kari gae gorī āi pae.46.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1380
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the forty-sixth stanza, Sheikh Farid continues with the elaboration on opulence and status and says, even those who built mansions, tented pavilions, and attics have departed. They departed having made a false deal, and fell into their graves. Again, we are presented with the imagery of opulence: mansions, pavilions, and attics, markers of power, sovereignty, and wealth. Even those of us who have spent time, money, and effort building these immense structures will eventually have to go. Even these big structures will eventually crumble to the ground.
Sheikh Farid reminds us that whoever comes into this world will leave it. We have such limited time here. When we live in forgetfulness of IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), we deal in falsehood, we deal in temporality, and we deal in fear of losing what we have spent our lives accumulating. We have nothing steady to hold onto, no devotion that we have cultivated, and no sense of eternality in relationship with IkOankar. Because of this, we act without virtue. We think little of consequence. We lie and we cheat. Will we become aware of the reality of our own short time here? Will we put effort into building a relationship with IkOankar, rather than building mansions and pavilions? Will we accumulate devotion rather than power? Will we live in remembrance rather than forgetfulness?
