Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 1, Pauri 3)
Introduction to the Third Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
In the first two Pauris, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, laid out the immeasurable blessings that flow from Naam Simran — remembrance of the Divine Name. From liberation and peace to spiritual awakening and fearlessness, the seeker is shown the path of inner transformation.
The third Pauri now expands on this vision, revealing how all virtues, powers, and honours — whether worldly or spiritual — become accessible through sincere remembrance. It also reinforces a profound truth: that even the act of remembrance arises through Divine grace.
Third Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran riḋʰ siḋʰ na▫o niḋʰ</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God are wealth, miraculous spiritual powers, and the nine treasures.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि रिधि सिधि नउ निधि।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਤਤੁ ਬੁਧਿ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran gi▫aan ḋʰi▫aan ṫaṫ buḋʰ</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God are knowledge, meditation, and the essence of wisdom.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि गिआनु धिआनु ततु बुधि।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਪੂਜਾ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran jap ṫap poojaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God are chanting (recitation), intense meditation, and devotional worship.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि जप तप पूजा।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਦੂਜਾ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran binsæ ḋoojaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, duality is removed.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि बिनसै दूजा।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਇਸਨਾਨੀ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran ṫiraṫʰ isnaanee</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God are at par with purifying baths at sacred shrines of pilgrimage.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि तीरथ इसनानी।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਾਨੀ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran ḋargėh maanee</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, one attains honour in the Court of the Lord.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि दरगह मानी।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਭਲਾ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran ho▫é so bʰalaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, one becomes good (or whatever happens, happens for the good— alternative interpretation).
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि होइ सु भला।
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਸੁਫਲ ਫਲਾ।
<i>Parabʰ kæ simran sufal falaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, one flowers in fruition.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि सुफल फला।
ਸੇ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਆਪਿ ਸਿਮਰਾਏ।
<i>Sé simrahi jin aap simraa▫é</i>
Translation: They alone remember Him in meditation, whom He Himself inspires to meditate.
Hindi Transliteration: से सिमरहि जिन आपि सिमराए।
ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਲਾਗਉ ਪਾਏ।।੩।
<i>Naanak ṫaa kæ laaga▫o paa▫é. ||3||</i>
Translation: Nanak grasps the feet of those humble but blessed beings. ||3||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक ता कै लागउ पाए।।३।।
Essence
In this third Pauri, the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, continues to illuminate the boundless virtues of Naam Simran — not merely as a path of devotion but as the very source of all spiritual richness and fulfilment. Through remembrance of the Divine, one receives not only Riddhi and Siddhi (spiritual and worldly attainments) but also the legendary nine treasures (Nau Nidh), symbolising abundance in every form.
Simran here is revealed to be the wellspring of wisdom, self-discipline, inner absorption, and ritual sanctity. It replaces hollow ceremonialism and duality with direct experience of the One. The seeker is not asked to travel to sacred rivers or temples; rather, they are invited to immerse in Divine remembrance, where every spiritual merit — from purity to honour in the Lord’s Court — is naturally realised.
The Pauri closes with a deeply humbling truth: remembrance itself is not born of ego or effort alone. Only those whom the Lord Himself inspires are drawn into this sacred practice. In the final line, Guru Nanak — in the voice of the eternal seeker — bows at the feet of such blessed souls, recognising that their state is the rarest and most blessed.
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.
ਕਿੰਨਾ ਉੱਤਮ ਉਪਰਾਲਾ ਸਿੱਧੂ ਸਾਬ੍ਹ! ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਅਜੇਹੀ ਚਿੰਗਾੜੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ! ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਰਮ ਲਈ ਸਮਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਲਗਨ ਦੋਨੋ ਹੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ! 🙏🙏🙏
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ
ਬਹੁਤ ਉੱਤਮ ਕਾਰਜ ਸਿੱਧੂ ਸਾਬ
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