Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 1, Pauri 4)
Introduction to the Fourth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
Building upon the earlier Pauris, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, now elevates the understanding of Simran even further. Where the previous verses unveiled the gifts of peace, wisdom, and liberation, this fourth Pauri proclaims the absolute supremacy of remembering God above all other practices. Here, Naam Simran is not merely a virtue — it is the very essence of salvation, wisdom, inner clarity, and divine union.
Fourth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ॥
<i>Prabh kaa simran sabh te oochaa</i>
Translation: The remembrance of God is the highest and most exalted of all.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ का सिमरनु सभ ते ऊचा।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਮੂਚਾ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran udhare moochaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, many are saved — even those unconscious of truth.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि उधरे मूचा।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਬੁਝੈ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran trisana bujhai</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, all worldly thirst is quenched.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि त्रिसना बुझै।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੁਝੈ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran sabh kichh sujhai</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, all understanding is awakened.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि सभु किछु सुझै।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਮ ਤ੍ਰਾਸਾ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran naahee jam traasaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, there is no fear of death’s messenger.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि नाही जम त्रासा।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਆਸਾ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran pooran aasaa</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, all hopes are fulfilled.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि पूरन आसा।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮਲੁ ਜਾਇ ॥
<i>Prabh kai simran man kee mal jaae</i>
Translation: In the remembrance of God, the filth of the mind is washed away.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कै सिमरनि मन की मलु जाइ।ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
<i>Amrit naam rid maahi samaae</i>
Translation: The Ambrosial Name of God becomes absorbed in the heart.
Hindi Transliteration: अमृत नामु रिद माहि समाइ।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਬਸਹਿ ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਰਸਨਾ ॥
<i>Prabh jee basah saadh kee rasnaa</i>
Translation: God dwells upon the tongues of the saints.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ जी बसहि साध की रसना।ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕਾ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਸਨਾ ॥੪॥
<i>Nanak jan kaa daasan dasnaa. ||4||</i>
Translation: Nanak is the servant of the slave of His humble servants. ||4||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक जन का दासनि दसना॥४॥
Essence
In this fourth Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, emphatically proclaims that Simran — the remembrance of God's Name — stands above all spiritual disciplines. It is the most sublime, exalted, and transformative practice, surpassing even pilgrimage, austerity, or scriptural study. Through Simran, the thirsts of desire are quenched, mental darkness is lifted, and the devotee finds clarity, peace, and divine fulfilment.
The Guru assures that even those who are spiritually unconscious — moochaa, those lost in forgetfulness or ego — are uplifted by the remembrance of God. Death, fear, and confusion dissolve. The Naam (Divine Name) becomes not just an utterance but an immersion in Ambrosial presence, resting in the heart like a nectar that permeates the soul.
Furthermore, Simran is shown to be not an isolated act, but one that flowers most richly upon the tongue of the saintly — those who live immersed in divine love. In the final verse, Guru Nanak expresses the epitome of humility — not merely identifying as a servant of God, but as a servant of the slave of God's servant, emphasising the spiritual greatness of those who remember the Divine.
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.