Lo ! man departeth on the shoulders of four men, Farid ; but the good acts he performed in this world shall be serviceable to him in God’s court.
CI
Farid, I am a sacrifice to those birds[1] which live in the
forests ;
They live on fruit, sleep on the ground, and never leave
God’s side.
CII
Farid, the season changeth,[2] the forests wave, the leaves
drop off ;
I have searched in every direction, but found no place
of rest.
CIII
Farid, tear thy coat into tatters and wear a blanket
instead ;
Adopt a dress by which thou mayest obtain the Lord.
Guru Amar Das makes the following reflection on this couplet :—
CIV
Why tear thy coat and put on a blanket ?
Nanak, if thine intentions be good, seated at home thou
shalt find the Lord.
Guru Ram Das has added the following :—
CV
Farid, they who were proud of their greatness and
possessed youth and untold wealth,
Went away bare from the Lord like a hillock after rain.[3]
CVI
Farid, terrible are the countenances of those who have forgotten the Name ;