The
saloks of Sheikh Farid
Ji guide the seeker toward the devotion of the one absolute IkOankar (the Divine), which is the true purpose of life. In these saloks, Farid Ji shares that our time in this world is finite, and thus, one should immediately turn to the devotion of IkOankar without delay. However, due to attachment to transient things and relationships, many forget this truth and become entangled in vices, leading to a perpetually restless and uneasy life. However, the being who embraces virtues such as remembrance of IkOankar, love, humility, tolerance, patience, contentment, selfless service, and righteous living, experiences the bliss of connection with IkOankar even while leading a householder’s life. Their life becomes comfortable and peaceful.
pharīdā jo tai mārani mukīāṁ tin̖ā na māre ghummi.
āpanṛai ghari jāīai pair tin̖ā de cummi.7.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1378
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the seventh stanza, Sheikh Farid addresses himself and says, O Farid! Those who hit you with fists, do not hit them back. Sheikh Farid is writing during a time of great violence and fighting. There is an idea of compassion and forgiveness that permeates Islamic thought and teachings, but Sheikh Farid is witnessing these principles being abandoned. And so his internal reflection functions as guidance for us as well—do not become angry, do not stew in your anger. This anger consumes us from within. It destroys our identities and personalities. It eats us up from the inside out. What, then, can we do?
Sheikh Farid says that only by kissing their feet does one return to one’s own house. In these moments, we are urged to turn around—to go back to our own selves. We do this by kissing the feet of those who are being violent towards us. This is humility, this is seeing the One in adversaries. What would it look like to have so much compassion that we can grab the feet of those very adversaries and kiss them in humility and compassion and forgiveness? This is the path to a mind steeped in quietude and peace. This is how we save ourselves from various vices that burn us from within. It is not just about being forgiving; it is also about being humble, compassionate—about returning to our compassionate selves. This is the behavior of a true dervish, a true devotee. Will we learn to kiss the feet of those who wish us harm? Will we find that compassion and humility that feeds us rather than the anger that feeds on us?
