To Seek the Divine in Youth or Old Age? The Third Nanak Illuminates the Way
Verses of Sheikh Farid and Divine Insights of Guru Amar Das Ji in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Age is no bar.
Introduction: Embracing Devotion Across Ages
In the sacred verses of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, especially on page 1378, the poetic compositions of Sheikh Farid and the divine hymns of Guru Amar Das Ji impart profound insights on the nature of devotion and spiritual connection, with particular emphasis on the age of the seeker or devotee. These verses navigate us through life's journey, underlining the significance of early devotion and offering hope for spiritual connection in the later years of life.
Sheikh Farid: The Journey from Youth to Old Age
Sheikh Farid’s verses poignantly capture the journey from youth to old age, emphasizing the importance of cherishing and connecting with the Divine early in life. He uses metaphors of the weakening body and the changing colour of the crop to symbolize ageing, urging an early and heartfelt devotion to the Divine.
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਅਖੀ ਦੇਖਿ ਪਤੀਣੀਆਂ ਸੁਣਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਰੀਣੇ ਕੰਨ ॥: Farīḏā akẖī ḏekẖ paṯīṇī▫āʼn suṇ suṇ rīṇe kann. "Fareed, my eyes have become weak, and my ears have become hard of hearing."
ਸਾਖ ਪਕੰਦੀ ਆਈਆ ਹੋਰ ਕਰੇਂਦੀ ਵੰਨ ॥੧੧॥: Sākẖ pakanḏī ā▫ī▫ā hor kareʼnḏī vann. ||11|| "The body's crop has become ripe and turned color. ||11||"
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕਾਲੀ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਧਉਲੀ ਰਾਵੈ ਕੋਇ ॥: Farīḏā kālīʼn jinī na rāvi▫ā ḏẖa▫ulī rāvai ko▫e. "Fareed, those who did not enjoy their Spouse when their hair was black - hardly any of them enjoy Him when their hair turns grey."
ਕਰਿ ਸਾਂਈ ਸਿਉ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਨਵੇਲਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧੨॥: Kar sāʼn▫ī si▫o pirhaṛī rang navelā ho▫e. ||12|| "So be in love with the Lord, so that your colour may ever be new. ||12||
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may?"
Sheikh Farid's verses exquisitely trace the transition from the vibrancy and vigour of youth to the infirmity of old age, accentuating the essential need to nurture and deepen our connection with the Divine in our early years. He skillfully uses imagery, like the weakening of the body and the changing colour of a crop, to illustrate the ageing process. Sheikh Farid Ji draws an analogy, comparing the inability to enjoy conjugal bliss in old age, when one's hair and beard turn grey, to the missed opportunities of connecting with the Divine during the prime of youth. This serves as a powerful reminder of our ephemeral physical existence and the natural decline that accompanies the inexorable process of ageing. Farid Ji's verses are a powerful call to action, encouraging us to develop a deep and sincere devotion to the Divine while we possess the energy and zest of youth. His insightful words offer timeless wisdom on the spiritual path, highlighting the opportunity and the imperative to embrace the Divine, sooner in life, rather than procrastinating it till our sunset years.
Guru Amar Das Ji: Hope and Grace in the Twilight Years
Guru Amar Das Ji's teachings, following sequentially— literally in the next line— in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, complement Sheikh Farid's, offering a beacon of hope to those in their later years. He assures that divine grace and devotion can be bestowed at any stage of life, emphasizing the omnipresent nature of the Divine and His boundless mercy.
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕਾਲੀ ਧਉਲੀ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਚਿਤਿ ਕਰੇ ॥: Farīḏā kālī ḏẖa▫ulī sāhib saḏā hai je ko cẖiṯ kare. "Fareed, whether one's hair is black or grey, our Lord and Master is always here if one remembers Him."
ਆਪਣਾ ਲਾਇਆ ਪਿਰਮੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜੇ ਲੋਚੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥: Āpṇā lā▫i▫ā piram na lag▫ī je locẖai sabẖ ko▫e. "This loving devotion to the Lord does not come by one's own efforts, even though all may long for it."
ਏਹੁ ਪਿਰਮੁ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਜੈ ਭਾਵੈ ਤੈ ਦੇਇ ॥੧੩॥: Ėhu piram pi▫ālā kẖasam kā jai bẖāvai ṯai ḏe▫e. ||13|| "This cup of loving devotion belongs to our Lord and Master; He gives it to whomever He likes. ||13||"
It’s never too late to connect with the Divine
Guru Amar Das Ji's teachings gracefully interweave with those of Sheikh Farid, providing a strong beam of hope and solace to individuals in their twilight years. His divine words reinforce the notion that the gift of divine grace and devotion is not confined by the constraints of age or time. Guru Amar Das Ji elucidates the ever-present and merciful nature of the Divine, asserting that His blessings and the opportunity for spiritual connection are available at any stage of life, governed solely by His will. These teachings serve as a reassuring reminder that it is never too late to seek and forge a relationship with the Divine.
Moreover, Guru Amar Das Ji’s verses, strategically placed amidst Sheikh Farid's, do not contradict but rather enrich Farid Ji's emphasis on early devotion. Guru Ji's message is clear: while the ideal is to foster a spiritual connection early in life, those who have traversed much of their earthly journey without such a connection should not despair. The path to the Divine remains open, and His grace is accessible even in the later chapters of life. This perspective is particularly poignant coming from Guru Amar Das Ji, who himself became a spiritual leader at an advanced age, exemplifying that spiritual awakening and profound realizations can indeed occur later in life. Through his teachings, Guru Amar Das Ji offers not just hope but a profound reassurance: the journey towards spiritual enlightenment and connection with the Almighty is timeless, and the doors to divine grace are eternally open, waiting to be entered at any moment in one’s life journey.
Summing Up: The Continuum of Divine Connection
The verses of Sheikh Farid and Guru Amar Das Ji in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji manifest a comprehensive and interconnected view of spiritual devotion, transcending the boundaries of time and age. These teachings collectively emphasize the vitality of forging a bond with the Divine in youth, as illuminated by Farid Ji, while simultaneously extending a message of hope and possibility for those who embark on this sacred journey in their later years, as conveyed by Guru Amar Das Ji. This harmonious amalgamation of teachings inspires us to welcome devotion at any stage of our lives, reinforcing the belief that it is never too late to experience a spiritual awakening and immerse in the Divine's eternal grace.
The true beauty of the holy verses of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, meticulously compiled and arranged by the Fifth Nanak, lies in their flowing unity and holistic coherence. These are not mere disjointed snippets of wisdom but a unified spiritual dialogue that spans across ages and life stages. Guru Amar Das Ji, who ascended to Guruship at the mature age of 73, exemplifies through his own life that enlightenment and divine wisdom, or Brahmgyan, can dawn upon an individual at any moment, even just before one's final breath, provided the Almighty's blessings are bestowed. His teachings and personal journey serve as a testament to the timeless nature of spiritual pursuit and the limitless compassion of the Divine. This profound understanding, encapsulated in the ultimate Sikh scripture and the embodiment of a living Guru, guides us towards a life of devotion, reminding us that the path to spiritual fulfillment is always open, inviting us to step onto it with faith and hope, regardless of where we stand in the journey of life.
