Verse 321 of 450
Salok Sheikh Farid, Salok 20 — the jug that seems a hundred miles away
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਇਨੀ ਨਿਕੀ ਜੰਘੀਐ ਥਲ ਡੂੰਗਰ ਭਵਿਓਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥
fareedaa inee nikee janghee-ai thal doongar bhavi-omiH.
Fareed, with these small legs, I crossed deserts and mountains.
ਅਜੁ ਫਰੀਦੈ ਕੂਜੜਾ ਸੈ ਕੋਹਾਂ ਥੀਓਮਿ ॥੨੦॥
aj fareedai koojrhaa sai kohaaN thee-om. ||20||
But today, Fareed, my water jug seems hundreds of miles away. ||20||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Farid says: with these small legs I crossed deserts and mountains.
But today, Farid, my water jug feels a hundred miles away.
Strength changes with the years, so use it well while you have it.
Strength changes with the years: legs that once crossed mountains one day find a few steps hard.
Inee nikee janghee-ai: with these small legs. Farid remembers crossing sandy deserts and climbing hills. Aj fareedai koojrhaa: today the little water jug, close by, seems far beyond reach.
The picture is honest about growing old. It quietly asks a question too: what will we do with our strength while we still have it?
A Question to Sit With
How could you help someone whose body has grown a little slower than it used to be?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
Use ← → to navigate