Ang 1382

Fareed, if on that day when my umbilical cord was cut, my throat had been cut instead, I would not have fallen into so many troubles, or undergone so many hardships. ||76|| My teeth, feet, eyes and ears have stopped working. My body cries out, “Those whom I knew have left me!”||77|| Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger. Your body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything. ||78|| Fareed, the bird is a guest in this beautiful world-garden. The morning drums are beating — get ready to leave! ||79|| Fareed, musk is released at night. Those who are sleeping do not receive their share. Those whose eyes are heavy with sleep — how can they receive it? ||80|| Fareed, I thought that I was in trouble; the whole world is in trouble! When I climbed the hill and looked around, I saw this fire in each and every home. ||81||

FIFTH MEHL: Fareed, in the midst of this beautiful earth, there is a garden of thorns. Those humble beings who are blessed by their spiritual teacher, do not suffer even a scratch. ||82||

FIFTH MEHL: Fareed, life is blessed and beautiful, along with the beautiful body. Only a rare few are found, who love their Beloved Lord. ||83||

O river, do not destroy your banks; you too will be asked to give your account. The river flows in whatever direction the Lord orders. ||84|| Fareed, the day passes painfully; the night is spent in anguish. The boatman stands up and shouts, “The boat is caught in the whirlpool!”||85|| The river flows on and on; it loves to eat into its banks. What can the whirlpool do to the boat, if the boatman remains alert? ||86|| Fareed, there are dozens who say they are friends; I search, but I cannot find even one. I yearn for my beloved like a smouldering fire. ||87|| Fareed, this body is always barking. Who can stand this constant suffering? I have put plugs in my ears; I don’t care how much the wind is blowing. ||88|| Fareed, God’s dates have ripened, and rivers of honey flow. With each passing day, your life is being stolen away. ||89|| Fareed, my withered body has become a skeleton; the crows are pecking at my palms. Even now, God has not come to help me; behold, this is the fate of all mortal beings. ||90|| The crows have searched my skeleton, and eaten all my flesh. But please do not touch these eyes; I hope to see my Lord. ||91|| O crow, do not peck at my skeleton; if you have landed on it, fly away. Do not eat the flesh from that skeleton, within which my Husband Lord abides. ||92|| Fareed, the poor grave calls out, “O homeless one, come back to your home. You shall surely have to come to me; do not be afraid of death.”||93|| These eyes have seen a great many leave. Fareed, the people have their fate, and I have mine. ||94|| God says, “If you reform yourself, you shall meet me, and meeting me, you shall be at peace. O Fareed, if you will be mine, the whole world will be yours.”||95||

How long can the tree remain implanted on the river-bank? Fareed, how long can water be kept in a soft clay pot? ||96|| Fareed, the mansions are vacant; those who lived in them have gone to live underground. They remain there, in those unhonored graves. O Shaykh, dedicate yourself to God; you will have to depart, today or tomorrow. ||97|| Fareed, the shore of death looks like the river-bank, being eroded away. Beyond is the burning hell, from which cries and shrieks are heard. Some understand this completely, while others wander around carelessly. Those actions which are done in this world, shall be examined in the Court of the Lord. ||98|| Fareed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully. While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces on it. When the Hawk of God attacks, playful sport is forgotten. God does what is not expected or even considered. ||99|| The body is nourished by water and grain. The mortal comes into the world with high hopes. But when the Messenger of Death comes, it breaks down all the doors. It binds and gags the mortal, before the eyes of his beloved brothers. Behold, the mortal being is going away, carried on the shoulders of four men. Fareed, only those good deeds done in the world will be of any use in the Court of the Lord. ||100|| Fareed, I am a sacrifice to those birds which live in the jungle. They peck at the roots and live on the ground, but they do not leave the Lord’s side. ||101|| Fareed, the seasons change, the woods shake and the leaves drop from the trees. I have searched in the four directions, but I have not found any resting place anywhere. ||102|| Fareed, I have torn my clothes to tatters; now I wear only a rough blanket. I wear only those clothes which will lead me to meet my Lord. ||103||