Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 11, Pauri 3)
🌸 Ashtpadi 11 – Pauri 3: Introduction
This pauri further humbles the ego, teaching that no human being possesses real power or control. Whatever occurs is only as per the Lord’s pleasure. Deluded by ignorance and ego, people pursue selfish desires and wander aimlessly through life’s illusions. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compassionately warns that without Divine Grace, one remains trapped in material attachments and endless cycles. But those blessed with bhagti—true devotion—by His mercy, find peace in the Naam. The verse reminds seekers that surrender, not effort alone, leads to liberation.
📜 Pauri 3 — Line by Line
🔸 ਕਹੁ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਤੇ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਇ ਆਵੈ ॥
🔸 कहु मानुख ते किआ होइ आवै ॥
🔸 Kaho mānukh ṯe ki▫ā ho▫e āvai.
💬 Tell me — what power does a mere mortal truly have?
🔸 ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਕਰਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 जो तिसु भावै सोई करावै ॥
🔸 Jo ṯis bhāvai so▫ī karāvai.
💬 Whatever pleases God — that alone does He cause us to do.
🔸 ਇਸ ਕੈ ਹਾਥਿ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਲੇਇ ॥
🔸 इस कै हाथि होइ ता सभु किछु लेइ ॥
🔸 Is kai hāth ho▫e ṯā sabh kichh le▫e.
💬 If it were truly in our hands, we would take everything for ourselves!
🔸 ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
🔸 जो तिसु भावै सोई करेइ ॥
🔸 Jo ṯis bhāvai so▫ī kare▫e.
💬 Whatever pleases the Lord — that alone happens.
🔸 ਅਨਜਾਨਤ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਰਚੈ ॥
🔸 अनजानत बिखिआ महि रचै ॥
🔸 Anjānat bikhia meh rachai.
💬 In ignorance, people remain engrossed in worldly corruption.
🔸 ਜੇ ਜਾਨਤ ਆਪਨ ਆਪ ਬਚੈ ॥
🔸 जे जानत आपन आप बचै ॥
🔸 Je jānat āpan āp bachai.
💬 If they truly understood, they would seek to save themselves.
🔸 ਭਰਮੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਦਹ ਦਿਸਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 भरमे भूला दह दिसि धावै ॥
🔸 Bharme bhoolā ḍah ḍis dhāvai.
💬 Lost in doubt, they run in every direction.
🔸 ਨਿਮਖ ਮਾਹਿ ਚਾਰਿ ਕੁੰਟ ਫਿਰਿ ਆਵੈ ॥
🔸 निमख माहि चारि कुंट फिरि आवै ॥
🔸 Nimakh māhi chār kunt fir āvai.
💬 In a single moment, their minds wander the four corners of the world and return.
🔸 ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਅਪਨੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਦੇਇ ॥
🔸 करि किरपा जिसु अपनी भगति देइ ॥
🔸 Kar kirpā jis apnī bhagat de▫e.
💬 Only the one whom the Lord blesses with His grace receives true devotion.
🔸 ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਮਿ ਮਿਲੇਇ ॥੩॥
🔸 नानक ते जन नामि मिलेइ ॥३॥
🔸 Nanak ṯe jan nām mile▫e. ||3||
💬 O Nanak! Such a one merges into the Naam. ||3||
🌺 Essence of Pauri 3 — Ashtpadi 11
Guru Arjan Dev Ji teaches that human agency is illusory — true power lies only with the Divine. Mortals, driven by ego and ignorance, chase desires and become entangled in delusion. They run in all directions, yet find no rest. But through God’s mercy, when devotion is awakened in the heart, the seeker turns inward and merges into Naam Simran — the remembrance of the Divine Name. The pauri offers both humility and hope: only surrendering to Divine Will leads to salvation.
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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.