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.
In the fifty-third stanza, Sheikh Farid says,
O Farid! Find the pool from where the substance can be found. What happens when searching in the pond? The hand sinks into the mud. Here, there is a Qur’anic or Indic element to the idea that if we can just reach a particular body of water, we will be able to quench our thirst. This is that pristine water that we can drink to satisfy all our needs and desires. But what happens when we search in the pond? The hand sinks into it. Sheikh Farid is urging us to find the ‘pool,’ the company of the Wisdom-oriented beings, through which the substance of
Nam (Identification with IkOankar) can be found. With whom are we spending our time? With whom are we in community? From whom are we learning?
We ought to find those who have engaged with the Wisdom, who have cultivated devotion to
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), and seek their companionship. We ought not to seek ponds full of mud, or the company of those full of pretense. This will leave us stuck in the mud or filth. Will we become discerning enough to distinguish those who pretend from those who are genuine? Will we find this pool of Wisdom-oriented beings? Will we take their guidance? Will we, too, begin to devote ourselves to IkOankar?
