Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 1, Pauri 6)
Introduction to the Sixth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
In the preceding Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, described the status of those who remember the Divine — how they are exalted, honoured, peaceful, and deathless. The Sixth Pauri now turns inward, painting a luminous portrait of the character and daily conduct of such souls. These are the ones who not only live in Simran but embody its fragrance — through selfless action, humility, inner conquest, and blissful awareness. Their grace is not self-generated; it blossoms through the blessing of Saints and the destiny written by Divine Will.
Sixth Pauri of the First Ashtapadi
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé par▫upkaaree</i>
Translation: Those who remember God generously help others.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से परउपकारी।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi ṫin saḋ balihaaree</i>
Translation: I am forever a sacrifice to those who remember God.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि तिन सद बलिहारी।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਮੁਖ ਸੁਹਾਵੇ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi sé mukʰ suhaavé</i>
Translation: Those who remember God — their faces glow with inner beauty.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि से मुख सुहावे।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਸੂਖਿ ਬਿਹਾਵੈ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi ṫin sookʰ bihaavæ</i>
Translation: Their lives pass in and is suffused with peace and contentment.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि तिन सूखि बिहावै।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਆਤਮੁ ਜੀਤਾ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi ṫin aaṫam jeeṫaa</i>
Translation: They conquer their own soul — mastering the self.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि तिन आतमु जीता।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਰੀਤਾ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi ṫin nirmal reeṫaa</i>
Translation: Their way of life is pure and immaculate.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि तिन निरमल रीता।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਅਨਦ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi ṫin anaḋ gʰanéré</i>
Translation: They are flooded with countless spiritual joys.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि तिन अनद घनेरे।ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਬਸਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਨੇਰੇ ॥
<i>Parabʰ ka▫o simrahi basėh har néré</i>
Translation: They dwell ever near the Lord.
Hindi Transliteration: प्रभ कउ सिमरहि बसहि हरि नेरे।ਸੰਤ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਤੇ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਾਗਿ ॥
<i>Sanṫ kirpaa ṫé an▫ḋin jaag</i>
Translation: By the Saints’ grace, they remain ever awake.
Hindi Transliteration: संत क्रिपा ते अनदिनु जागि।ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ॥੬॥
<i>Naanak simran pooræ bʰaag. ||6||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! Such Simran comes only by perfect destiny. ||6||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक सिमरनु पूरै भागि ॥६॥
Essence
In this Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji draws us deeper into the lived reality of those immersed in Naam Simran. Their lives are not marked by renunciation, ritual, or isolation, but by selfless service (parupkaari) and spiritual radiance. Their peaceful nature, compassion, and joyful awareness reflect their nearness to the Divine.
The imagery of shining faces and peaceful lives is not superficial — it points to the inner beauty and calm dignity born from divine remembrance. These souls have mastered the self, not through force, but through surrender to the One. Their conduct is pure, their minds are steady, and their hearts are flooded with bliss. They need no outward validation, for they abide near Waheguru.
The Guru also clarifies that such a state is not achieved through personal effort alone. It blossoms only through the grace of the Saints (sant kirpa) — those already immersed in divine love — and through perfect destiny (poora bhaag). In these final lines, the humility of Guru Nanak Ji resounds, reminding us that even the desire to remember comes by God’s own gift.
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.
ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਧੰਨ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਧੰਨ ਕਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੀਆ ਰੂਹਾਂ ਵੀ ਧੰਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਕਉ ।
ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਹਾਨ ਮਹਿਮਾਂ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਗਿਆਨ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਕਲਿਆਣਕਾਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ
ਆਦਰ ਸਹਿਤ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਾਹਲੋਂ