Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 11, Pauri 8)
🌸 Ashtpadi 11 – Pauri 8: Introduction
This concluding pauri of Ashtpadi 11 describes the supreme blessing of Sadh Sangat (Holy Company). Guru Arjan Dev Ji declares that when, by grace, the soul finds the true holy company, it escapes the cycle of birth and death. Wisdom dawns within; the soul becomes imbued with Naam, and merges into the Light of the Divine. Like water blending into water, the soul is forever united with Waheguru. Such blessed beings attain eternal rest, and the Guru bows in reverence to the Lord’s compassion that brings this about.
📜 Pauri 8 — Line by Line
🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਇਹੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 कबहू साधसंगति इहु पावै ॥
🔸 Kabhoo sādh sangat ih pāvai.
💬 Sometimes, this being attains the blessed Company of the Holy.
🔸 ਉਸੁ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
🔸 उसु असथान ते बहुरि न आवै ॥
🔸 Us asthān te bahur na āvai.
💬 From that state, there is no returning again.
🔸 ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਗਿਆਨ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥
🔸 अंतरि होइ गिआन परगासु ॥
🔸 Antar hoi giān pargās.
💬 The light of divine wisdom shines within.
🔸 ਉਸੁ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਕਾ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਨਾਸੁ ॥
🔸 उसु असथान का नही बिनासु ॥
🔸 Us asthān kā nahī binās.
💬 That state is eternal, never perishing.
🔸 ਮਨ ਤਨ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਇਕ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
🔸 मन तन नामि रते इक रंगि ॥
🔸 Man tan nām rate ik rang.
💬 Mind and body are dyed in the Love of the Naam.
🔸 ਸਦਾ ਬਸਹਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥
🔸 सदा बसहि पारब्रहम कै संगि ॥
🔸 Sadā baseh Pārbrahm ke sang.
💬 They dwell forever with the Supreme Lord.
🔸 ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਜਲੁ ਆਇ ਖਟਾਨਾ ॥
🔸 जिउ जल महि जलु आइ खटाना ॥
🔸 Jiū jal meh jal āi khaṭānā.
💬 Just as water blends naturally with water,
🔸 ਤਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥
🔸 तिउ जोती संगि जोति समाना ॥
🔸 Tiū jotī sang jot samānā.
💬 So the soul’s light merges with the Divine Light.
🔸 ਮਿਟਿ ਗਏ ਗਵਨ ਪਾਏ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥
🔸 मिटि गए गवन पाए बिस्राम ॥
🔸 Mit gae gavan pāe bisrām.
💬 The rounds of reincarnation end, and eternal rest is attained.
🔸 ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ॥੮॥੧੧॥
🔸 नानक प्रभ कै सद कुरबान ॥८॥११॥
🔸 Nanak prabh kai sad kurbān. ||8||11||
💬 O Nanak! Forever am I a sacrifice to the Lord. ||8||11||
🌺 Essence of Pauri 8 — Ashtpadi 11
Guru Arjan Dev Ji reveals that the Company of the Holy (Sadh Sangat) is the doorway to salvation. When Divine Grace draws the soul into this company, true wisdom dawns, and the cycle of birth and death is broken. The soul merges into Waheguru’s Light, inseparable — like water joining water. One becomes ever-immersed in the Divine, enjoying eternal bliss. The Guru humbly proclaims that such a state is entirely the result of God’s mercy, and the seeker remains forever grateful and surrendered.
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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🙏🙏🙏