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 eightieth stanza, Sheikh Farid says,
O Farid! During the night, the musk is distributed. A share is not received by the sleeping ones. The ones in whose eyes are slumbers, how may their union happen? This musk is the fragrance one would apply at night, as lovers are interested in the fragrance of one another. But the devotees of
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) are interested in the fragrance of the Divine. During the night of life, it is as if the fragrance of IkOankar’s
Nam (Identification) is
being distributed. Just as at night, there is a fragrance of love that keeps lovers awake. For the seeker passing the night of life, the fragrance of Identification keeps them awake and alert in how they live. Those who sleep through the night of life are unaware and unable to enjoy that fragrance. They do not get to enjoy the experience of IkOankar.
When the night-like life is over, we depart from this world. Sheikh Farid urges us to cultivate awareness—to live a life permeated with the fragrance of love for IkOankar. In this fragrance, we contemplate Identification, we experience the bliss of connection, and we make our lives fruitful. If we remain lazy and do not enjoy the fragrance of beloved IkOankar, if instead we enjoy other fragrances, we will spend this night-like life asleep and unaware. In that ignorance, we cannot receive the blessing of Identification and the gift of union that it brings. We cannot end our separation. There are those of us who are awake and who have found the fragrance. There are those of us who are ignorant of the fragrance altogether. There are those who are in a state of fluctuation, aware of the fragrance but not always experiencing it—sometimes we are connected and sometimes we are not. What musk will we apply to ourselves
this night?
