Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 12, Pauri 5)
ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੨ – ਪਉੜੀ ੫ (Ashtapadi 12 – Pauri 5)
This pauri reflects Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s insight into human desire and the futility of worldly pursuit. A person obsessed with accumulating wealth and indulging in sense pleasures will never experience true fulfilment. Guru Sahib contrasts this with the eternal joy of the Naam, accessible only to the truly fortunate. The Guru reminds us that contentment cannot be bought or achieved through effort—it is a divine gift that brings lasting peace.
ਸਹਸ ਖਟੇ ਲਖ ਕਉ ਉਠਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
सहस खटे लख कउ उठि धावै ॥
Sahas kʰaté lakʰ ka▫o utʰ ḋʰaavæ.
One earns a thousand, but then chases after a hundred thousand.
ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
त्रिपति न आवै माइआ पाछै पावै ॥
Ṫaripaṫ na aavæ maa▫i▫aa paachʰæ paavæ.
No contentment is found in the pursuit of Maya (material illusion).
ਅਨਿਕ ਭੋਗ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕੇ ਕਰੈ ॥
अनिक भोग बिखिआ के करै ॥
Anik bʰog bikʰi▫aa ké karæ.
Even after indulging in countless sensual pleasures—
ਨਹ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਵੈ ਖਪਿ ਖਪਿ ਮਰੈ ॥
नह त्रिपतावै खपि खपि मरै ॥
Nah ṫaripṫaavæ kʰap kʰap maræ.
—he is not satisfied, and dies after exhausting himself repeatedly.
ਬਿਨਾ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਜੈ ॥
बिना संतोख नही कोऊ राजै ॥
Binaa sanṫokʰ nahee ko▫oo raajæ.
Without contentment, no one ever feels fulfilled.
ਸੁਪਨ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੇ ਸਭ ਕਾਜੈ ॥
सुपन मनोरथ ब्रिथे सभ काजै ॥
Supan manoraṫʰ bariṫʰé sabʰ kaajæ.
All his desires and ventures become as fruitless as a dream.
ਨਾਮ ਰੰਗਿ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
नाम रंगि सरब सुखु होइ ॥
Naam rang sarab sukʰ ho▫é.
All peace is obtained in the love and colour of the Naam.
ਬਡਭਾਗੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
बडभागी किसै परापति होइ ॥
Badbʰaagee kisæ paraapaṫ ho▫é.
Only a rare one, by great fortune, is blessed with it.
ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ॥
करन करावन आपे आपि ॥
Karan karaavan aapé aap.
He Himself is the Doer, and causes all things to be done.
ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਪਿ ॥੫॥
सदा सदा नानक हरि जापि ॥५॥
Saḋaa saḋaa Naanak har jaap. ||5||
Forever and ever, O Nanak! Chant the Name of the Lord. ||5||
ਅਰਥ / Essence
This pauri captures the insatiable hunger of materialism. Man chases wealth endlessly, hoping the next acquisition will bring happiness—but neither riches, nor pleasures, nor success offer lasting satisfaction. The result is exhaustion and spiritual emptiness. Guru Sahib stresses that only through Santokh (contentment)—and immersion in the Naam—can one attain true bliss. But this grace is rare, granted only by the Divine’s own will. Hence, the concluding instruction: continually chant the Lord’s Name, for He alone is the orchestrator of liberation and peace.
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.