Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 1, Pauri 5)

Introduction to the Fifth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi

As the flow of divine insight deepens through Sukhmani Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, now describes the elevated spiritual state of those who engage in Naam Simran — the remembrance of God. This Pauri is not only descriptive but honouring: it celebrates the grandeur, dignity, and eternal peace bestowed upon those who live in constant awareness of the Divine. Their wealth, honour, and sovereignty are not worldly entitlements but spiritual graces, granted by the One who inspires remembrance in the first place.

---

Fifth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi

1. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਧਨਵੰਤੇ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé ḋʰanvanṫé</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are truly wealthy.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से धनवंते।

2. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਪਤਿਵੰਤੇ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé paṫivanṫé</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are honourable.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से पतिवंते।

3. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਪਰਵਾਨ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé jan parvaan</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are accepted and approved.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से जन परवान।

4. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਪੁਰਖ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé purakʰ parḋʰaan</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are the most distinguished persons (or leaders).
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से पुरख प्रधान।

5. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸਿ ਬੇਮੁਹਤਾਜੇ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sė bémuhṫaajé</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are free of all dependence.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि सि बेमुहताजे।

6. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸਿ ਸਰਬ ਕੇ ਰਾਜੇ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sė sarab ké raajé</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God are the sovereigns of all.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि सि सरब के राजे।

7. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé sukʰvaasee</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God dwell in peace.
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से सुखवासी।

8. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ॥
   <i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi saḋaa abʰinaasee</i>
   Translation: Those who remember God become eternal and deathless (immortal).
   Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि सदा अबिनासी।

9. ਸਿਮਰਨ ਤੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਜਿਨ ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥
   <i>Simran ṫé laagé jin aap ḋa▫i▫aalaa</i>
   Translation: They alone engage in remembrance, whom the Merciful Lord inspires.
   Hindi Transliteration: सिमरन ते लागे जिन आपि दइआला।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਮੰਗੈ ਰਵਾਲਾ ॥੫॥
    <i>Naanak jan kee mangæ ravaalaa. ||5||</i>
    Translation: Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of those humble beings (for they are most honorable). ||5||
    Hindi Transliteration: नानक जन की मंगै रवाला ॥५॥

---

Essence

This Pauri is a radiant hymn of spiritual honour and elevation. The Fifth Nanak extols those who remember God — not for their social stature, but for the divine qualities that blossom within them. They are described as wealthy, not through worldly possessions, but through the riches of contentment, grace, and wisdom. They are honourable, approved, and distinguished, for they walk in alignment with Truth.

Their lives are marked by independence from worldly needs, and their sovereignty is not of land or rule, but over the inner kingdom of the self. They are sukʰvaasee — those who dwell in the sanctuary of peace — and they become abinaasee, untouched by death and impermanence, because they live anchored in the Eternal.

Yet, this elevated state is not earned through effort alone. Guru Ji reminds us that only those whom God Himself graces are drawn to His remembrance. In the spirit of utmost humility, Guru Nanak ends the Pauri by saying he begs for the dust of such saintly souls — a poetic expression of reverence and surrender before those who live in divine consciousness.

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.