Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 2, Pauri 2)
Second Pauri of the Second Ashtapadi
Introduction
In the first Pauri of this Ashtapadi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, established that only the Divine Name remains with the soul when all worldly supports fall away. Now, in the Second Pauri, the Guru contrasts outer prosperity and inner emptiness. He declares that even the rulers of the world are gripped by sorrow — and that neither wealth nor pleasure nor kinship can grant lasting fulfilment. Only Naam — the meditative remembrance of the Lord — can quench the soul’s thirst and lead it towards liberation and supreme spiritual dignity.
Pauri
ਸਗਲ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕੋ ਰਾਜਾ ਦੁਖੀਆ ॥
<i>Sagal sarisat ko raajaa ḋukʰee▫aa</i>
Translation: Even the rulers of the world are afflicted with suffering.
Hindi Transliteration: सगल स्रिसटि को राजा दुखीआ।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਹੋਇ ਸੁਖੀਆ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam japaṫ ho▫é sukʰee▫aa</i>
Translation: But one who chants the Lord’s Name becomes truly happy.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जपत होइ सुखीआ।ਲਾਖ ਕਰੋਰੀ ਬੰਧੁ ਨ ਪਰੈ ॥
<i>Laakʰ karoree banḋʰ na paræ</i>
Translation: Even acquiring hundreds of thousands and millions does not satisfy attachment.
Hindi Transliteration: लाख करोरी बंधु न परै।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਨਿਸਤਰੈ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam japaṫ nisṫaræ</i>
Translation: Chanting the Name of the Lord, one crosses over.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जपत निसतरै।ਅਨਿਕ ਮਾਇਆ ਰੰਗ ਤਿਖ ਨ ਬੁਝਾਵੈ ॥
<i>Anik maa▫i▫aa rang ṫikʰ na bujʰaavæ</i>
Translation: The countless pleasures of Maya do not extinguish desire.
Hindi Transliteration: अनिक माइआ रंग तिख न बुझावै।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਆਘਾਵੈ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam japaṫ aagʰaavæ</i>
Translation: Chanting the Name of the Lord brings true contentment.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जपत आघावै।ਜਿਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਇਹੁ ਜਾਤ ਇਕੇਲਾ ॥
<i>Jih maarag ih jaaṫ ikélaa</i>
Translation: On that path, where each soul must travel alone—
Hindi Transliteration: जिह मारगि इहु जात इकेला।ਤਹ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਹੋਤ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥
<i>Ṫah har naam sang hoṫ suhélaa</i>
Translation: —there, the Lord’s Name is your only comfort and companion.
Hindi Transliteration: तह हरि नामु संगि होत सुहेला।ਐਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨ ਸਦਾ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥
<i>Æsaa naam man saḋaa ḋʰi▫aa▫ee▫æ</i>
Translation: O my mind! Meditate forever on such a Naam.
Hindi Transliteration: ऐसा नामु मन सदा धिआईऐ।ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੨॥
<i>Naanak gurmukʰ param gaṫ paa▫ee▫æ. ||2||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! As Gurmukh, you shall attain the supreme spiritual state (exalted merger with the Lord, after the terrestrial journey). ||2||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक गुरमुखि परम गति पाईऐ ॥२॥
Essence
This Pauri presents a striking contrast between external success and internal liberation. Guru Arjan Dev Ji declares plainly that worldly power does not ensure peace. Kings, despite their thrones and treasures, remain restless. Why? Because the hunger of the soul cannot be appeased with wealth, prestige, or sensual indulgence. Maya — the worldly illusion — offers a thousand delights, but quenches nothing.
True joy, contentment, and freedom come only through Simran — the meditative remembrance of God’s Name. Naam is both the shield and the sustenance for the journey no one can escape: the path of death, where no companion, no kin, and no currency can follow. Only Naam stays with you — a true friend when all else fades.
The Guru exhorts the seeker: Meditate on such a Naam endlessly, and do so as a Gurmukh — one guided by the Guru, one who faces inward, towards the Light. Such a soul, Nanak says, shall attain param gat — the highest state of spiritual realisation— merger with the Akaal Purakh, where there is no coming and going, only abiding and everlasting union with the Divine.
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.