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 mai jāniā dukhu mujh kū dukhu sabāiai jagi.
ūce caṛi kai dekhiā tāṁ ghari ghari ehā agi.81.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1382
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the eighty-first stanza, Sheikh Farid says, I thought suffering is only happening to me, but suffering afflicts the whole world. Having climbed high, when I looked, then I found this fire in each and every house. We think we are the only ones going through suffering and pain, especially when it is particularly overwhelming. We convince ourselves that no one has it as bad as we do, and we wonder why we have not been more fortunate. Even in situations where we are experiencing a painful thing alongside others, we might find ourselves comparing the extent of the suffering—almost as if we are competing to see who has it worse.
However, when we raise our awareness and change our perspective, we discover that the fire of suffering burns in every home, in every heart. Whatever fire is in us is also present everywhere else. There is no one alive who does not have to endure some kind of suffering. When we are self-directed and self-centered, we think we are the only ones. Sheikh Farid is asking us to expand our sight, to shift our perspective, and understand that everyone carries and endures their own share of pain. Will we work toward this understanding? Will we allow it to make us more compassionate, more empathetic, and more gracious?
