Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 12, Pauri 2)
ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੨ – ਪਉੜੀ ੨ (Ashtapadi 12 – Pauri 2)
This pauri conveys a profound warning against arrogance and false security that arises from wealth, power, pride, and self-importance. Guru Arjan Dev Ji strips away the illusions of worldly status and ego, revealing that true acceptance comes only through humility and the Guru’s grace. The impermanence of human greatness is laid bare, and the folly of self-centered pride is contrasted against the liberating virtue of egoless devotion.
ਧਨਵੰਤਾ ਹੋਇ ਕਰਿ ਗਰਬਾਵੈ ॥
धनवंता होइ करि गरबावै ॥
Ḋʰanvanṫaa ho▫é kar garbaavæ.
One who becomes wealthy and takes pride in it—
ਤ੍ਰਿਣ ਸਮਾਨਿ ਕਛੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
त्रिण समानि कछु संगि न जावै ॥
Ṫariṇ samaan kachʰ sang na jaavæ.
—not even a piece of straw shall go along with him.
ਬਹੁ ਲਸਕਰ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਆਸ ॥
बहु लसकर मानुख ऊपरि करे आस ॥
Baho laskar maanukʰ oopar karé aas.
He may place his hopes on a large army of men,
ਪਲ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬਿਨਾਸ ॥
पल भीतरि ता का होइ बिनास ॥
Pal bʰeeṫar ṫaa kaa ho▫é binaas.
but he shall vanish in an instant.
ਸਭ ਤੇ ਆਪ ਜਾਨੈ ਬਲਵੰਤੁ ॥
सभ ते आप जानै बलवंतु ॥
Sabʰ ṫé aap jaanæ balvanṫ.
One who deems himself to be the strongest of all,
ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਇ ਭਸਮੰਤੁ ॥
खिन महि होइ जाइ भसमंतु ॥
Kʰin mėh ho▫é jaa▫é bʰasmanṫ.
in an instant, shall be reduced to ashes.
ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਬਦੈ ਆਪਿ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥
किसै न बदै आपि अहंकारी ॥
Kisæ na baḋæ aap ahaⁿkaaree.
One who exalts only himself and thinks highly of none else—
ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਤਿਸੁ ਕਰੇ ਖੁਆਰੀ ॥
धरम राइ तिसु करे खुआरी ॥
Ḋʰaram raa▫é ṫis karé kʰu▫aaree.
—the Righteous Judge of Dharma shall bring him disgrace.
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਿਟੈ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥
गुर प्रसादि जा का मिटै अभिमानु ॥
Gur parsaaḋ jaa kaa mitæ abʰimaan.
One whose ego is erased through the Guru’s Grace,
ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥੨॥
सो जनु नानक दरगह परवानु ॥२॥
So jan Naanak ḋargėh parvaan. ||2||
O Nanak! That humble servant is accepted in the Divine Court. ||2||
ਅਰਥ / Essence
This pauri reminds us that pride in wealth, strength, armies, and egoistic self-worth is futile and fleeting. The illusion of permanence is shattered—no worldly possession or power follows one beyond death. Guru Arjan Dev Ji reveals that Divine approval cannot be earned through pride or might but only through Guru's grace and humility. True honour lies not in what we accumulate or boast, but in the selfless eradication of ego. The one who dissolves their pride becomes truly accepted in the Dargah, the Eternal Court of Truth.
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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.