Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 13, Pauri 8)

We attempt to publish sequentially “pauri-wise” translation of each ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib, at 3:00 AM IST everyday.

ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੩ – ਪਉੜੀ ੮ (Ashtapadi 13 – Pauri 8)

Introduction

This final pauri of Ashtapadi 13 shifts from warning against slander to affirming the omnipotence and graciousness of the Divine. Guru Arjan Dev Ji reorients our attention toward devotion and gratitude. The slanderer was cast as adrift and miserable, but now the focus is on those who lovingly remember God—the fortunate ones who receive His Naam. All beings dwell within His command, for He alone is the Creator, the Actor, and the Knower. The pauri culminates in a note of hope and reverence, exalting those blessed with devotion as supremely fortunate souls.

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ਪਉੜੀ ੮ (Pauri 8)

ਸਭ ਘਟ ਤਿਸ ਕੇ ਓਹੁ ਕਰਨੈਹਾਰੁ ॥
सभ घट तिस के ओहु करनैहारु ॥
Sabʰ gʰat ṫis ké oh karnæhaar.
All beings are His; He alone is the Creator.

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ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੁ ॥
सदा सदा तिस कउ नमसकारु ॥
Saḋaa saḋaa ṫis ka▫o namaskaar.
Forever and forever, let there be reverence unto Him.

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ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥
प्रभ की उसतति करहु दिनु राति ॥
Parabʰ kee usṫaṫ karahu ḋin raaṫ.
Sing the praises of God, day and night.

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ਤਿਸਹਿ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ॥
तिसहि धिआवहु सासि गिरासि ॥
Ṫisėh ḋʰi▫aavahu saas giraas.
Meditate upon Him with every breath and morsel.

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ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਵਰਤੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ॥
सभु कछु वरतै तिस का कीआ ॥
Sabʰ kachʰ varṫæ ṫis kaa kee▫aa.
Everything that happens is by His doing.

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ਜੈਸਾ ਕਰੇ ਤੈਸਾ ਕੋ ਥੀਆ ॥
जैसा करे तैसा को थीआ ॥
Jæsaa karé ṫæsaa ko ṫʰee▫aa.
People become exactly as He wills.

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ਅਪਨਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਨੈਹਾਰੁ ॥
अपना खेलु आपि करनैहारु ॥
Apnaa kʰél aap karnæhaar.
He Himself is the orchestrator of His cosmic play.

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ਦੂਸਰ ਕਉਨੁ ਕਹੈ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
दूसर कउनु कहै बीचारु ॥
Ḋoosar ka▫un kahæ beechaar.
Who else dares speak or deliberate upon it?

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ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਆਪਨ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ॥
जिस नो क्रिपा करै तिसु आपन नामु देइ ॥
Jis no kirpaa karæ ṫis aapan naam ḋé▫é.
He bestows His Name upon whomever He graces.

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ਬਡਭਾਗੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਸੇਇ ॥੮॥੧੩॥
बडभागी नानक जन सेइ ॥८॥१३॥
Badbʰaagee Naanak jan sé▫é. ||8||13||
O Nanak! Blessed and most fortunate are those humble ones. ||8||13||

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ਅਰਥ / Essence

Pauri 8 concludes Ashtapadi 13 by reaffirming that the entire creation belongs to God and moves according to His will. Every soul, every breath, every action—none are outside His command. The Guru reminds us to immerse ourselves in ceaseless remembrance, bowing always to the Divine. True transformation, salvation, and fulfilment are attained only through His grace, which bestows the gift of Naam. Those who receive this divine gift, says Guru Arjan Dev Ji, are indeed the most fortunate among beings. The tone is reverent, peaceful, and full of gratitude, a sharp contrast to the tormented fate of the slanderer in the earlier pauris.

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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.