Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 11, Pauri 6)
🌸 Ashtpadi 11 – Pauri 6: Introduction
This pauri continues to illustrate the theme of Divine Hukam and human helplessness. Guru Arjan Dev Ji explains that human experiences — whether grandeur or humility, fame or infamy — constantly shift according to the Divine Will. No individual maintains any one state by their own power. Riches, poverty, power, disgrace — all flow from the Lord’s play. The Guru affirms that the ability to recognise this truth comes only through Guru’s Grace. This wisdom dissolves ego, fostering surrender to the Lord’s command.
📜 Pauri 6 — Line by Line
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਬਹੁ ਭਾਤਿ ॥
🔸 कबहू निरति करै बहु भाति ॥
🔸 Kabhoo nirat karai baho bhāt.
💬 Sometimes, one dances in various ways.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਸੋਇ ਰਹੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥
🔸 कबहू सोइ रहै दिनु राति ॥
🔸 Kabhoo soē rahai din rāt.
💬 Sometimes, one sleeps through day and night.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਮਹਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਬਿਕਰਾਲ ॥
🔸 कबहू महा क्रोध बिकराल ॥
🔸 Kabhoo mahā krodh bikrāl.
💬 Sometimes, one burns in terrible rage.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂੰ ਸਰਬ ਕੀ ਹੋਤ ਰਵਾਲ ॥
🔸 कबहूं सरब की होत रवाल ॥
🔸 Kabhooⁿ sarab kī hot ravāl.
💬 Sometimes, one becomes the dust of everyone’s feet.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਹੋਇ ਬਹੈ ਬਡ ਰਾਜਾ ॥
🔸 कबहू होइ बहै बड राजा ॥
🔸 Kabhoo hoē bahai bad rājā.
💬 Sometimes, one sits in great kingship.
🔸 ਕਬਹੁ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਨੀਚ ਕਾ ਸਾਜਾ ॥
🔸 कबहु भेखारी नीच का साजा ॥
🔸 Kabahu bēkhārī neech kā sājā.
💬 Sometimes, one takes the garb of a lowly beggar.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਅਪਕੀਰਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਆਵੈ ॥
🔸 कबहू अपकीरति महि आवै ॥
🔸 Kabhoo apkīrat meh āvai.
💬 Sometimes, one suffers a bad reputation.
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਭਲਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 कबहू भला भला कहावै ॥
🔸 Kabhoo bhalā bhalā kahāvai.
💬 Sometimes, one is praised as virtuous and good.
🔸 ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਰਾਖੈ ਤਿਵ ਹੀ ਰਹੈ ॥
🔸 जिउ प्रभु राखै तिव ही रहै ॥
🔸 Jiō prabh rākhai tiv hī rahai.
💬 As God keeps one, so does one remain.
🔸 ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੁ ਕਹੈ ॥੬॥
🔸 गुर प्रसादि नानक सचु कहै ॥६॥
🔸 Gur prasād Nānak sach kahai. ||6||
💬 By Guru’s Grace, O Nanak! This is the Truth. ||6||
🌺 Essence of Pauri 6 — Ashtpadi 11
Guru Arjan Dev Ji explains that all worldly positions, moods, and reputations arise from the Lord’s Will. None can claim permanent greatness or disgrace by their own doing. Life is a flow of Divine Play — today high, tomorrow low. Some dance in celebration; others weep in defeat. Only through Guru’s Grace can a person understand this truth: ego melts, humility grows, and one learns to live in contented surrender to Hukam. The wise, seeing this reality, accept all experiences as the Lord’s gift.
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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.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀਓ🙏🙏🙏