Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 11, Pauri 7 )

🌸 Ashtpadi 11 – Pauri 7: Introduction

This pauri continues Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s meditation on Divine Will (Hukam). It reflects how mortals assume many roles — learned scholars, monks, yogis, pilgrims, animals, or insects — all through the unfolding of Waheguru’s play. Like actors on a cosmic stage, beings appear in various forms, driven by past karma, delusion, and the Lord’s Will. No state, form, or role is truly theirs — it is His design alone. The wise realise this truth and perceive no other doer but the One Lord.

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📜 Pauri 7 — Line by Line

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🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਹੋਇ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਕਰੇ ਬਖੵਾਨੁ ॥
🔸 कबहू होइ पंडितु करे बख्यानु ॥
🔸 Kabhoo ho▫é pandit karé bakhyān.
💬 Sometimes, they appear as scholars, delivering discourses.

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🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਮੋਨਿਧਾਰੀ ਲਾਵੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥
🔸 कबहू मोनिधारी लावै धिआन ॥
🔸 Kabhoo monidhārī lāvai dhiyān.
💬 Sometimes, they maintain silence and practice deep meditation.

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🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਤਟ ਤੀਰਥ ਇਸਨਾਨ ॥
🔸 कबहू तट तीरथ इसनान ॥
🔸 Kabhoo taṭ tīrath isnān.
💬 Sometimes, they perform ritual baths at sacred rivers.

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🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨ ॥
🔸 कबहू सिध साधिक मुखि गिआन ॥
🔸 Kabhoo siddh sādhik mukh giān.
💬 Sometimes, as Siddhas and seekers, they teach wisdom.

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🔸 ਕਬਹੂ ਕੀਟ ਹਸਤਿ ਪਤੰਗ ਹੋਇ ਜੀਆ ॥
🔸 कबहू कीट हसति पतंग होइ जीआ ॥
🔸 Kabhoo keet hasat patang ho▫é jīā.
💬 Sometimes, they are born as worms, elephants, or moths.

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🔸 ਅਨਿਕ ਜੋਨਿ ਭਰਮੈ ਭਰਮੀਆ ॥
🔸 अनिक जोनि भरमै भरमीआ ॥
🔸 Anik jonī bharmai bharamīā.
💬 They roam endlessly through countless life forms.

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🔸 ਨਾਨਾ ਰੂਪ ਜਿਉ ਸ੍ਵਾਗੀ ਦਿਖਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 नाना रूप जिउ स्वागी दिखावै ॥
🔸 Nānā roop ji▫o swāgī dikhāvai.
💬 Like actors, they display many guises and forms.

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🔸 ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਨਚਾਵੈ ॥
🔸 जिउ प्रभ भावै तिवै नचावै ॥
🔸 Ji▫o prabh bhāvai tivai nachāvai.
💬 As it pleases the Lord, so do they dance upon the stage of life.

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🔸 ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਹੋਇ ॥
🔸 जो तिसु भावै सोई होइ ॥
🔸 Jo tis bhāvai so▫ee ho▫é.
💬 Whatever pleases Him alone happens.

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🔸 ਨਾਨਕ ਦੂਜਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੭॥
🔸 नानक दूजा अवरु न कोइ ॥७॥
🔸 Nanak doojā avar na ko▫é. ||7||
💬 O Nanak! There is no other at all. ||7||

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🌺 Essence of Pauri 7 — Ashtpadi 11

Guru Arjan Dev Ji conveys that all appearances, roles, and forms are manifestations of Divine Will. Beings may emerge as learned scholars, ascetics, creatures, or celestial teachers, or wander in countless lower life forms — but it is Waheguru who directs this cosmic dance. Like actors on a stage, mortals shift guises across births and states. Realising that there is no other doer but the One, the wise relinquish ego and rest in humility. All is His play — He alone acts; He alone is.

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.