Kavan so akhar kavan gun kavan so maneeaa mant – Shalok Sheikh Fareed Ji – Ang 1384

At Anand Karaj, during Sikhya, it is common to quote these two Sloks by Sheikh Fareed Ji. Sloks 126 and 127 (Ang 1384)

Sheikh Fareed Ji was a Sufi Saint.

In traditional Islam, there is strict compliance with Shariah and other set rituals. The emphasis is mostly external.

Sufism is not separate from Islam.

The Sufis are a sect in Islam, where the emphasis is on the inward journey, to have Compassion for all, and the stress is on loving Devotion to God within you, Prema Bhagti.

The concept of jeev isteri is found only in Sufism, while in traditional Islam, the stress is on covering the external aurat.

These Sloks are oft quoted at Sikh weddings because it is necessary for the jeev isteri to have these Attributes (Guñn) if she wants to Merge with God.

These Gunn are also necessary for the couple to have if they want a happy, successful marriage in the physical world. As these are Godly Attributes (Gunn, Naam) they apply internally and externally too.

“So antar so bahar Anant.” (Ang 293).

The jeev isteri asks,

“What words can I use, what virtue, what is that Supreme Mantra?
“Kavan so akhar kavan Gunn kavan so manniya mantt.”

She further pleads,

“What clothes should I wear to captivate my Husband Lord?

“Kavan so vesso hao kari jit vass aave Kantt.”

The answer is given in the next Slok, 127.
You must enshrine the Word humility, and have forgiveness as the Virtue, with Sweet Speech (politeness ) as your Magic Mantra. If you Robe yourself with these Atrributes, O sister, you will captivate your Husband Lord.

“Nivan so akhar khavan Gunn jihba manniya mantt; eh tria bhaine vess kar ta vass aavi Kantt.”

“ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਅਖਰੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਮਣੀਆ ਮੰਤੁ ॥

Kavaṇ so akhar kavaṇ guṇ kavaṇ so maṇeeaa mant.

ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਸੋ ਹਉ ਕਰੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਵਸਿ ਆਵੈ ਕੰਤੁ ॥੧੨੬॥

Kavaṇ so veso hao karee jit vas aavae kanṫ. ||126||

ਨਿਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਅਖਰੁ ਖਵਣੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਮਣੀਆ ਮੰਤੁ ॥

Nivaṇ so akhar khavaṇ guṇ jihbaa maṇeeaa mant.

ਏ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਭੈਣੇ ਵੇਸ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਂ ਵਸਿ ਆਵੀ ਕੰਤੁ ॥੧੨੭॥

E tarae bhaene ves kar taan vas aavee kant. ||127||”