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 manu maidānu kari ṭoe ṭibe lāhi.
agai mūli na āvasī dojak sandī bhāhi.74.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1381
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the seventy-fourth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, O Farid! Make the mind level like a field. Remove pits and mounds. The fire of hell will not come ahead at all. Living in the world, we observe all sorts of things around us, in different places, in different contexts, at different stages in our lives. What do we see that affects us knowingly or unknowingly, and we come to understand that things in this world are not level. Existence is full of pits and hills, lows and highs, comforts and pains. If we can think of these as natural parts of the landscape of existence, we can start to figure out how to find steadiness even as we must traverse that landscape.
Sheikh Farid urges us to remove the pits and mounds within us. Life can be tumultuous! But if we can level the mind like a field, to rid ourselves of extremes, high and low feelings, and dualities rooted in a sense of superiority or inferiority. If we remove these things from within ourselves, our moods and behaviors will change. Our perceptions will change. We will find steadiness no matter the external circumstance. And in this way, the fire of hell, or suffering, will not come to us. The volatility of the mind dissipates. Will we make the effort to level the field of our minds? Will we traverse this life with steadiness and care?
