I'm adding this to my [[Shabad bookmarks]] and [[Shabads about death]]. I found the analogy between the soul-bride's wedding and death to be super fascinating. I'm unsure if this analogy is unique to this shabad, or if it can be applied to other instances where soul brides/weddings are mentioned. According to [[ChatGPT]], the purpose of this shabad is to be a wake up call. Just like how (in those days) when a bride leaves home after marriage to live with an entirely new family she may not know much about, death works the same way. The day we die is preordained, and it will be like our soul is being pulled out of our body. We can't avoid it, and we all have to accept it. The shabad ends up with a [[Thinner than a strand of hair]] analogy. The key to understanding this line—“Valahu nikee pur salaat”—is recognizing that it is describing the challenge of avoiding hell, not a path leading into it. The thin bridge is a metaphor for the test the soul must undergo. Those who live a life focused on naam, gurbani, etc, will cross easily. Those who don't will suffer. Specifically, the last line of "don't let yourself be robbed" is referring to [[This human life is a precious opportunity not to be wasted]]. Don't let yourself be robbed of this opportunity we have been given. Robbed by what? — [[The temporary pleasures of maya]] STTM Link: https://sttm.co/s/5211/58538 --- ਸਲੋਕ ਸੇਖ ਫਰੀਦ ਕੇ Shaloks Of Shaykh Fareed Jee: ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਹਾੜੈ ਧਨ ਵਰੀ ਸਾਹੇ ਲਏ ਲਿਖਾਇ ॥ (Jit The day) (Diharhai when) (Dhan the bride) (Varee weds) (Saahay the husband) (Lae takes) (Likhaae as preordained.) The day of the bride’s wedding is pre-ordained. ਮਲਕੁ ਜਿ ਕੰਨੀ ਸੁਣੀਦਾ ਮੁਹੁ ਦੇਖਾਲੇ ਆਇ ॥ (Malak The angel of death) (Ji whom) (Kannee through ears) (Sunida heard of) (Muhu face) (Dekhalay comes to show) (Aai arrives.) On that day, the Messenger of Death, of whom she had only heard, comes and shows its face. ਜਿੰਦੁ ਨਿਮਾਣੀ ਕਢੀਐ ਹਡਾ ਕੂ ਕੜਕਾਇ ॥ (Jind The soul) (Nimaanee helpless) (Kadheeai is pulled out) (Hadda bones) (Koo loudly) (Karkaai cracking.) It breaks the bones of the body and pulls the helpless soul out. ਸਾਹੇ ਲਿਖੇ ਨ ਚਲਨੀ ਜਿੰਦੂ ਕੂੰ ਸਮਝਾਇ ॥ (Saahay Husband’s) (Likhay written fate) (Na not) (Chalni can be avoided) (Jindoo O soul) (Koon to) (Samjhaai explain.) That pre-ordained time of marriage cannot be avoided. Explain this to your soul. ਜਿੰਦੁ ਵਹੁਟੀ ਮਰਣੁ ਵਰੁ ਲੈ ਜਾਸੀ ਪਰਣਾਇ ॥ (Jind The soul) (Vahutee is the bride) (Maran death) (Var is the groom) (Lai takes) (Jasi will go) (Parnaai getting married.) The soul is the bride, and death is the groom. He will marry her and take her away. ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਜੋਲਿ ਕੈ ਕੈ ਗਲਿ ਲਗੈ ਧਾਇ ॥ (Apan Own) (Hathi hands) (Jol send off) (Kai having done) (Kai then) (Gal neck) (Lagai embrace) (Dhaai rush.) After the body sends her away with its own hands, whose neck will it embrace? ਵਾਲਹੁ ਨਿਕੀ ਪੁਰ ਸਲਾਤ ਕੰਨੀ ਨ ਸੁਣੀਆਇ ॥ (Valahu Than a hair) (Nikee narrower) (Pur bridge) (Salat to hell) (Kanni with ears) (Na not) (Suniai have you heard?) The bridge to hell is narrower than a hair; haven’t you heard of it with your ears? ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕਿੜੀ ਪਵੰਦੀਈ ਖੜਾ ਨ ਆਪੁ ਮੁਹਾਇ ॥੧॥ (Fareeda O Fareed) (Kirree the call) (Pavandeei has come) (Khadha stand) (Na do not) (Aap yourself) (Muhaai let be robbed.) Fareed, the call has come; be careful now - don’t let yourself be robbed. ||1||