Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 12, Pauri 3)
ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੨ – ਪਉੜੀ ੩ (Ashtapadi 12 – Pauri 3)
This pauri reveals the futility of egotistical action and the limitations of ritualistic or self-congratulatory spiritual practice. Guru Arjan Dev Ji exposes the spiritual emptiness of good deeds performed in pride, highlighting that only humility and self-erasure lead to true purity and acceptance in the Divine Court. Ego, even when masked by religious acts, becomes a wall between the soul and the Lord.
ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੈ ਹਉ ਧਾਰੇ ॥
कोटि करम करै हउ धारे ॥
Kot karam karæ ha▫o ḋʰaaré.
If one performs millions of good deeds while still harbouring ego—
ਸ੍ਰਮੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਸਗਲੇ ਬਿਰਥਾਰੇ ॥
स्रमु पावै सगले बिरथारे ॥
Saram paavæ saglé birṫʰaaré.
—he will only exhaust himself; all those efforts are in vain.
ਅਨਿਕ ਤਪਸਿਆ ਕਰੇ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ॥
अनिक तपसिआ करे अहंकार ॥
Anik ṫapasi▫aa karé ahaⁿkaar.
Even if he performs intense austerities, if done with pride—
ਨਰਕ ਸੁਰਗ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਅਵਤਾਰ ॥
नरक सुरग फिरि फिरि अवतार ॥
Narak surag fir fir avṫaar.
—he will rotate through cycles of heaven and hell again and again.
ਅਨਿਕ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਿ ਆਤਮ ਨਹੀ ਦ੍ਰਵੈ ॥
अनिक जतन करि आतम नही द्रवै ॥
Anik jaṫan kar aaṫam nahee ḋarvæ.
Despite countless efforts, if his soul is not softened—
ਹਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਕਹੁ ਕੈਸੇ ਗਵੈ ॥
हरि दरगह कहु कैसे गवै ॥
Har ḋargėh kaho kæsé gavæ.
—then tell me, how will he enter the Court of the Lord?
ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਜੋ ਭਲਾ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
आपस कउ जो भला कहावै ॥
Aapas ka▫o jo bʰalaa kahaavæ.
He who proclaims his own goodness—
ਤਿਸਹਿ ਭਲਾਈ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
तिसहि भलाई निकटि न आवै ॥
Ṫisėh bʰalaa▫ee nikat na aavæ.
—true goodness shall not even come near him.
ਸਰਬ ਕੀ ਰੇਨ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
सरब की रेन जा का मनु होइ ॥
Sarab kee rén jaa kaa man ho▫é.
But the one whose mind becomes the dust of all—
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥
कहु नानक ता की निरमल सोइ ॥३॥
Kaho Naanak ṫaa kee nirmal so▫é. ||3||
—says Nanak, his reputation is pure and undefiled. ||3||
ਅਰਥ / Essence
This pauri deconstructs superficial righteousness and demolishes the illusion that spiritual merit arises from action alone. Without humility, even a thousand acts of charity or penance become hollow. Ego corrupts even the highest disciplines. Guru Ji asserts that one who believes himself to be virtuous is the furthest from true virtue. In contrast, the truly pure soul is he who becomes the dust beneath all beings—who acts with sincerity and surrender, not pride. It is only this meek-hearted soul who finds acceptance in the Divine Realm.
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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.