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 je jāṇā til thoṛaṛe sammali buku bharī.
je jāṇā sahu nanḍhaṛā tāṁ thoṛā māṇu karī.4.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1378
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the fourth stanza, Sheikh Farid continues to reflect, If I knew the sesame seeds were fewer, I would have filled my hands carefully. We return here to the extended metaphor, where the bride’s wedding is equated with the seeker’s death. Traditionally, in Panjabi wedding ceremonies, the groom’s mother places sesame seeds in front of the newlyweds. The bride is to take a handful of sesame seeds and put them in the groom’s cupped hands. The groom does the same to the bride. This customary game continues with other family members, with each person being careful to drop as few as possible. It was meant to welcome the new bride into the family and make her feel connected with her new relatives. Sheikh Farid uses this reference to talk about the sesame seeds in the vessel as breaths in the body. If he had known that those breaths were so few, if he had known his time was so short, he would have carefully filled his palms and used them wisely. If we know that this life is short and that this time is precious, we ought to live in awareness and spend this time in remembrance and devotion to the IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Otherwise, there is only regret at the end.
Sheikh Farid says, If I knew the Divine-Husband had a child-like nature, then I would have taken less pride. This emphasis on the childlike nature of the Divine is important. The word nandra implies youth, beauty, and intelligence. It is as if Sheikh Farid is saying, If I knew that IkOankar was so beautiful and youthful, I would not have been so proud of my own beauty or youth. Instead, he reflects that he did take pride, and in his laziness or carelessness, did not realize who the truly beautiful One was. We recall the last line of the first stanza that urges us not to be looted by death. Will we use this time wisely? Will we reflect on our pride? Will we practice remembrance of the beautiful One?
