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 ihu tanu bhaükaṇā nit nit dukhīai kaüṇu.
kannī buje de rahāṁ kitī vagai paüṇu.88.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1382
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the eighty-eighth stanza, Sheikh Farid says, This body is like one that always barks; who should suffer day after day? I keep plugs placed in the ears, no matter how much the wind blows. Sheikh Farid says his body is constantly barking, craving, and asking for something. Why must one listen to it and endure that suffering every day? Sheikh Farid says he keeps his ears plugged, no matter how strong the winds of desire blow. He ignores those cravings and desires for material things and remains lovingly connected to IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). There are things our bodies need, and there are things our minds need, and these things are different. We may say in a worldly sense that the mind wants love and respect, reputation and renown, sex and intimacy, and the body needs physical things like food and clothes, and shelter. But neither of these things comes on their own.
Often, we pay more attention to the body and its needs, and we are less concerned about what the mind requires. Often, the opposite is true. What is the need of the body, and what is the need of the mind? What causes us to suffer? We have physical and emotional needs, but often those needs and desires cause us to fall further into unsteadiness, wavering with each craving or thirst. Sheikh Farid offers us an example of how to cut the noise out, literally. We ought to close our ears to those desires, keeping the mind and consciousness quiet so that we may better hear what the mind and body truly need. Will we listen to those needs? Will we anchor ourselves in a disciplined sense of satiation?
