Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 11, Pauri 4)
ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੨ – ਪਉੜੀ ੪ (Ashtapadi 12 – Pauri 4)
This pauri reveals the profound psychological and spiritual truth that ego and duality—the sense of doership, pride, attachment, and distinctions between friend and foe—are barriers to peace, liberation, and union with the Divine. Guru Arjan Dev Ji teaches that only through God’s grace and the Guru’s wisdom can the bondage of ego be destroyed, enabling the soul to attain stability and freedom.
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੁਝ ਤੇ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
जब लगु जानै मुझ ते कछु होइ ॥
Jab lag jaanæ mujʰ ṫé kachʰ ho▫é.
As long as one believes that they are the doer of anything—
ਤਬ ਇਸ ਕਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥
तब इस कउ सुखु नाही कोइ ॥
Ṫab is ka▫o sukʰ naahee ko▫é.
—there is no peace for such a person.
ਜਬ ਇਹ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਤਾ ॥
जब इह जानै मै किछु करता ॥
Jab ih jaanæ mæ kichʰ karṫaa.
As long as this being thinks, “I am the one doing”—
ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਗਰਭ ਜੋਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਫਿਰਤਾ ॥
तब लगु गरभ जोनि महि फिरता ॥
Ṫab lag garabʰ jon mėh firṫaa.
—he continues to be caught in the cycle of birth and rebirth.
ਜਬ ਧਾਰੈ ਕੋਊ ਬੈਰੀ ਮੀਤੁ ॥
जब धारै कोऊ बैरी मीतु ॥
Jab ḋʰaaræ ko▫oo bæree meeṫ.
As long as he regards some as enemies and others as friends—
ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਚੀਤੁ ॥
तब लगु निहचलु नाही चीतु ॥
Ṫab lag nihchal naahee cheeṫ.
—his mind will never become steady or serene.
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮੋਹ ਮਗਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਾਇ ॥
जब लगु मोह मगन संगि माइ ॥
Jab lag moh magan sang maa▫é.
As long as he remains intoxicated by attachment to Maya—
ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਦੇਇ ਸਜਾਇ ॥
तब लगु धरम राइ देइ सजाइ ॥
Ṫab lag ḋʰaram raa▫é ḋé▫é sajaa▫é.
—the Judge of Dharma continues to mete out punishment.
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੂਟੈ ॥
प्रभ किरपा ते बंधन तूटै ॥
Parabʰ kirpaa ṫé banḋʰan ṫootæ.
Only by God’s grace are these bonds broken—
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉ ਛੂਟੈ ॥੪॥
गुर प्रसादि नानक हउ छूटै ॥४॥
Gur parsaaḋ Naanak ha▫o chʰootæ. ||4||
—and through the Guru’s blessing, O Nanak, the ego is cast off. ||4||
ਅਰਥ / Essence
This pauri delivers a clear spiritual diagnosis and remedy. The root of restlessness, karmic bondage, and continued rebirth lies in the mistaken idea of “I am the doer.” As long as duality persists in thought—distinguishing between friend and foe, grasping at Maya, or acting out of pride—inner stillness is impossible. But the moment God's grace enters and one surrenders to the Guru's wisdom, the shackles of ego are broken, and true peace dawns. Humility, detachment, and unity with the Divine will are the keys to liberation.
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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.