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 manḍap mālu na lāi marag satāṇī citi dhari.
sāī jāi sam̖āli jithai hī taü vaññaṇā.58.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1381
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the fifty-eighth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, O Farid, do not attach your consciousness to tented pavilions and material things; keep the powerful death in your consciousness. Think of that place where you verily have to go. We continue the emphasis from the last stanza on disentangling our consciousness from these big displays of wealth and accumulation. What are the things that are in our consciousness? The things we enjoy, the things we find comfort in, the things we desire.
We are asked to think of death instead. This all-powerful death is put in direct contrast with those mansions and pavilions; those things are temporary and fleeting. Let us not worry about those things. Let us not worry about accumulating more of those things. Let us instead worry about the place we have to go after this. Let us instead worry about the consequences of our time here and the things we hope for when it is time to go. Let us prepare ourselves for that place, attaching our minds and hearts to IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Will we work toward cultivating that urgency? Will we devote ourselves to IkOankar?
