Interpreting the Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 1, Pauri 1)
Introduction to the First Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib
Sukhmani Sahib, composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, is a revered Sikh scripture that offers profound spiritual guidance and inner serenity. It is enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib from Ang 262 to Ang 296. The Bani is elegantly structured into 24 Ashtapadis (cantos), each beginning with a Salok followed by eight Pauris (stanzas), presenting self-contained meditative and philosophical reflections.
Here, we begin our humble exploration of this divine composition, focusing on the first Ashtapadi, particularly its Salok and the first Pauri — the opening steps on a journey of remembrance (Simran), devotion, and spiritual awakening.
Salok – First Ashtapadi
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ।
<i>Ik Oankar Satigur Prasad</i>
Translation: One Universal Creator God. By the Grace of the True Guru.
Hindi Transliteration: एक ओंकार सतिगुरु प्रसादि।
ਆਦਿ ਗੁਰਏ ਨਮਹ।
<i>Aadi Gure Namah</i>
Translation: I bow to the Primal Guru.
Hindi Transliteration: आदि गुरए नमह।
ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਗੁਰਏ ਨਮਹ।
<i>Jugaaḋ gur▫é namah</i>
Translation: I bow to the Guru of the ages.
Hindi Transliteration: जुगादि गुरए नमह।
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਏ ਨਮਹ।
<i>Saṫgur▫é namah</i>
Translation: I bow to the True Guru.
Hindi Transliteration: सतिगुरए नमह।
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰਦੇਵਏ ਨਮਹ।।੧।
<i>Saree gurḋév▫é namah</i>. ||1||
Translation: I bow to the Great, Divine Guru. ||1||
Hindi Transliteration: श्री गुरदेवए नमह।।१।।
Note:
Some scholars interpret this Salok as Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s spiritual bowing and humble prostration before the first four Gurus — Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, and Guru Ram Das Ji — in deep reverence and devotion.
First Pauri – First Ashtapadi
ਸਿਮਰੋ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਉ।
<i>Simra▫o simar simar sukʰ paava▫o</i>
Translation: Meditate, meditate, meditate in remembrance of Him, and find peace.
Hindi Transliteration: सिमरो सिमरि सिमरि सुखु पावउ।
ਕਲਿ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਤਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਮਿਟਾਵਉ।
<i>Kal kalés ṫan maahi mitaava▫o</i>
Translation: Worry and anguish shall be dispelled from your body.
Hindi Transliteration: कलि कलेश तन माहि मिटावउ।
ਸਿਮਰੋ ਜਾਸੁ ਬਿਸੁੰਭਰ ਏਕੈ।
<i>Simra▫o jaas bisumbʰar ékæ</i>
Translation: Remember in praise the One who pervades the whole Universe.
Hindi Transliteration: सिमरो जासु बिसुंभर एकै।
ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਅਗਨਤ ਅਨੇਕੈ।
<i>Naam japaṫ agnaṫ anékæ</i>
Translation: His Name is chanted by countless people, in so many ways.
Hindi Transliteration: नामु जपत अगनत अनेकै।
ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸੁਧਾਖੵਰ।
<i>Béḋ puraan simriṫ suḋʰaakʰ▫yar</i>
Translation: The Vedas, the Puranas and the Simritis, the purest of utterances.
Hindi Transliteration: बेद पुरान सिम्रिति सुधाख्यर।
ਕੀਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਇਕ ਆਖੵਰ।
<i>Keené raam naam ik aakʰ▫yar</i>
Translation: They all speak of the one Name of God.
Hindi Transliteration: कीने राम नाम इक आख्यर।
ਕਿਨਕਾ ਏਕ ਜਿਸ ਜੀਅ ਬਸਾਵੈ।
<i>Kinkaa ék jis jee▫a basaavæ</i>
Translation: That one, in whose soul the One Lord dwells.
Hindi Transliteration: किनका एक जिस जीअ बसावै।
ਤਾ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਗਨੀ ਨ ਆਵੈ।
<i>Ṫaa kee mahimaa ganee na aavæ</i>
Translation: The glory of that person cannot be described.
Hindi Transliteration: ता की महिमा गनी न आवै।
ਕਾਂਖੀ ਏਕੈ ਦਰਸ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ।
<i>Kaaⁿkʰee ékæ ḋaras ṫuhaaro</i>
Translation: Those who yearn only for the blessing of Your Darshan.
Hindi Transliteration: कांखी एकै दरस तुहारो।
ਨਾਨਕ ਉਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਉਧਾਰੋ।।੧।
<i>Naanak un sang mohi uḋʰaaro</i>. ||1||
Translation: O Nanak, those who are with Him, rescue me. ||1||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक उन संगि मोहि उधारो।।१।।
Essence
The first Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib lays the spiritual foundation for the entire composition. It invites the reader into an atmosphere of deep reflection and unwavering devotion, emphasising the transformative power of meditating — indeed, contemplating — upon the Divine Name. This sacred practice brings peace to the soul and dispels suffering from both body and mind.
The Salok offers a humble bow before the True Guru, acknowledging the foundational spiritual guidance of the first four Gurus. The Pauri that follows extols the eternal power of Naam Simran — the remembering, repeating, and inward rumination upon the One Lord’s Name, which is infinite, sacred, and beyond measure.
This Ashtapadi gently guides the seeker towards exclusive devotion to the One, turning the heart away from the distractions of illusionary deities, symbolic constructs, and planetary influences. It calls upon us to seek refuge — a divine shelter — in the countless and eternal Names of the Almighty, where solace, upliftment, and liberation await.
NOTE: I am not a trained scholar in Sikh Studies or religious studies, in general. I have no claims of mastery or authority. What I offer is a seeker’s voice — a servant’s humble attempt to understand the depths of the divine wisdom encapsulated in these sacred lines. Should I have made any mistake, misinterpretation, or omission, I beg for unqualified forgiveness in advance from the Guru and the readers.