Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 10, Salok, Pauri 1)
ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ – ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੦, ਸਲੋਕ ਅਤੇ ਪਉੜੀ ੧
Sukhmani Sahib – Ashtpadi 10, Salok and Pauri 1
🪶 Introduction
As we step into the tenth Ashtpadi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji highlights the limitless devotion shown by countless beings towards the Divine and simultaneously declares the limitlessness of the Divine Himself. While many may engage in worship, asceticism, rituals, poetry, or deep meditation, Guru Sahib asserts that none can truly fathom the vastness or ultimate essence of the Creator. This Ashtpadi sets the stage for recognising that spiritual acts and intellectual endeavours, however numerous, remain insufficient to comprehend the Infinite—whose praises are sung through countless paths, yet remain ever-unbounded.
🔹 Salok (Introductory Verse)
1. Gurmukhi
ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਅਨੇਕ ਜਨ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
उसतति करहि अनेक जन अंतु न पारावार ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ustat karahi anek jan ant na paaraavaar.
English Translation
Many people praise the Lord. He has no end or limitation.
2. Gurmukhi
ਨਾਨਕ ਰਚਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਰਚੀ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਅਨਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ॥੧॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
नानक रचना प्रभि रची बहु बिधि अनिक प्रकार ॥१॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Naanak rachnaa prabh rachee baho bidh anik prakaar. ||1||
English Translation
O Nanak! God created the creation in many ways and various forms. ||1||
🌿 Pauri 1
1. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਹੋਏ ਪੂਜਾਰੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि होए पूजारी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot ho-e poojaaree.
English Translation
Many millions are His devotees.
2. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਆਚਾਰ ਬਿਉਹਾਰੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि आचार बिउहारी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot aachaar bi-uhaaree.
English Translation
Many millions perform religious disciplines and engage in worldly duties.
3. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਭਏ ਤੀਰਥ ਵਾਸੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि भए तीरथ वासी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot bha-e teerath vaasee.
English Translation
Many millions become residents of holy pilgrimage places.
4. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਬਨ ਭ੍ਰਮਹਿ ਉਦਾਸੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि बन भ्रमहि उदासी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot ban bhramahi udaasee.
English Translation
Many millions wander in the forests as renunciates and hermits.
5. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਬੇਦ ਕੇ ਸ੍ਰੋਤੇ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि बेद के स्रोते ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot bed ke srote.
English Translation
Many millions are listeners and scholars of the Vedas.
6. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਤਪੀਸੁਰ ਹੋਤੇ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि तपीसुर होते ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot tapeesur hote.
English Translation
Many millions become self-mortifying ascetics.
7. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਆਤਮ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਧਾਰਹਿ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि आतम धिआनु धारहि ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot aatam dhiaan dhaareh.
English Translation
Many millions hold deep meditation within their souls.
8. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਬਿ ਕਾਬਿ ਬੀਚਾਰਹਿ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि कबि काबि बीचारहि ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot kab kaab beechaareh.
English Translation
Many millions of poets reflect on Him through poetic discourse.
9. Gurmukhi
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਨਵਤਨ ਨਾਮ ਧਿਆਵਹਿ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
कई कोटि नवतन नाम धिआवहि ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Ka-ee kot navtan naam dhiaavahi.
English Translation
Many millions meditate upon His ever-new Divine Name.
10. Gurmukhi
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਹਿ ॥੧॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
नानक करते का अंतु न पावहि ॥१॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Naanak karte kaa ant na paavahi. ||1||
English Translation
O Nanak! No one can find the limit of the Creator. ||1||
🌸 Essence of the Pauri
Guru Arjan Dev Ji paints a vivid panorama of the infinite modes of devotion expressed by countless seekers throughout creation. Millions pursue piety through worship, rituals, pilgrimage, asceticism, meditation, and intellectual engagement with scriptures or poetry. And yet, despite the grandeur of all these spiritual practices, the ultimate mystery of the Creator remains unfathomable. This pauri reinforces humility, gently reminding us that the Divine cannot be known by quantity of effort, but only by His own grace. The multiplicity of devotion reflects the glory of the Divine, but not even millions of seekers can reach His end.
If you feel this humble piece could offer even a small measure of peace to someone you know, please do share it.
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.