Salok Sheikh Farid, Salok 7 — answer harm with peace
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Farid says: if someone hits you with their fists, do not turn around and hit them back.
Kiss their feet, and go back to your own home.
When someone hits you, you do not have to hit back; you can stay humble and go home.
Jo tai maaran mukee-aa: those who strike you with their fists. Aapnarhai ghar jaa-ee-ai: go back to your own home. Kissing someone's feet is an old sign of deep humility. It means: I will not add more harm to this.
Think of two kids shoving in line. Each push makes the other push harder, until someone stops. Farid asks us to be the one who stops passing harm along. That is different from letting someone keep hurting you. If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
What helps you stay calm when someone is unkind?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI