Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 14, Salok, Pauri 1)
We attempt to publish sequentially “pauri-wise” translation of each ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib, at 3:00 AM IST everyday.
ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ੧੪ – ਸ਼ਲੋਕੁ ਤੇ ਪਉੜੀ ੧ (Ashtapadi 14 – Shalok & Pauri 1)
Shalok (Prologue Verse)
ਤਜਹੁ ਸਿਆਨਪ ਸੁਰਿ ਜਨਹੁ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ॥
तजहु सिआनप सुरि जनहु सिमरहु हरि हरि राइ ॥
Ṫajahu si▫aanap sur janhu simrahu har har raa▫é.
Abandon your worldly cleverness, O enlightened souls—immerse yourselves in remembrance of the Supreme Lord, the King of all.
ਏਕ ਆਸ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਰਖਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੂਖੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥
एक आस हरि मनि रखहु नਾਨਕ दूखु भरमु भउ जाइ ॥१॥
Ék aas har man rakʰahu Naanak ḋookʰ bʰaram bʰa▫o jaa▫é. ||1||
Place your hope only in the Lord within your heart. O Nanak! Your sorrows, doubts, and fears will vanish. ||1||
Introduction to Pauri 1
Guru Arjan Dev Ji begins Ashtapadi 14 by laying emphasis on absolute reliance on the Lord over dependence on mortals. This pauri encourages the seeker to recognise the futility of worldly supports and the supremacy of Divine Will. The verses provide a path to spiritual tranquility through remembrance, acceptance of hukam (Divine Order), and adoration of the Lord’s Name.
ਪਉੜੀ ੧ (Pauri 1)
ਮਾਨੁਖ ਕੀ ਟੇਕ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਨੁ ॥
मानुख की टेक ब्रिथी सभ जानु ॥
Maanukʰ kee ték bariṫʰee sabʰ jaan.
Know that reliance on human beings is utterly futile.
ਦੇਵਨ ਕਉ ਏਕੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥
देवन कउ एकै भगवानु ॥
Ḋévan ka▫o ékæ bʰagvaan.
Only the One Lord God is the true Giver.
ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਦੀਐ ਰਹੈ ਅਘਾਇ ॥
जिस कै दीऐ रहੈ अघाइ ॥
Jis kæ ḋee▫æ rahæ agʰaa▫é.
His gifts satisfy all cravings.
ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਲਾਗੈ ਆਇ ॥
बहुरि न त्रिसना लागै आइ ॥
Bahur na ṫarisnaa laagæ aa▫é.
And no thirst ever afflicts the soul again.
ਮਾਰੈ ਰਾਖੈ ਏਕੋ ਆਪਿ ॥
मारै राखै एको आपि ॥
Maaræ raakʰæ éko aap.
He alone has the power to protect or destroy.
ਮਾਨੁਖ ਕੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਾਥਿ ॥
मानुख कै किछु नाही हाथि ॥
Maanukʰ kæ kichʰ naahee haaṫʰ.
Nothing lies in the hands of mortal beings.
ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੂਝਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
तिस का हुकमु बूझि सुखु होइ ॥
Ṫis kaa hukam boojʰ sukʰ ho▫é.
True peace arises from understanding His divine command.
ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਖੁ ਕੰਠਿ ਪਰੋਇ ॥
तिस का नामु रखु कंठि परोइ ॥
Ṫis kaa naam rakʰ kantʰ paro▫é.
String His Name around your neck like a sacred garland.
ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋਇ ॥
सिमरि सिमरि सिमरि प्रभु सोइ ॥
Simar simar simar parabʰ so▫é.
Chant again and again and again the Name of the Lord.
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥
नानक बिघनु न लागै कोइ ॥१॥
Naanak bigʰan na laagæ ko▫é. ||1||
O Nanak! Then, no obstacle shall touch you. ||1||
ਅਰਥ / Essence
Pauri 1 of Ashtapadi 14 is a heartfelt instruction from the Guru to shift one’s trust from fallible human beings to the One Infallible Lord. It teaches that the Giver of all true fulfilment is God alone, and worldly support leads only to disappointment. Those who accept God's hukam and remember Him constantly attain inner peace. Wearing His Name as a spiritual ornament and engaging in continuous remembrance (simran) shields the devotee from all obstacles and suffering. Guru Arjan Dev Ji assures the seeker that Divine grace is the ultimate refuge and strength.
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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.