Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 2, Pauri 4)

Fourth Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi

Introduction

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, continues his penetrating examination of religious striving that lacks the anchor of divine remembrance. He highlights how cleverness, rituals, renunciation, and frantic effort fail to bring peace or divine approval when they arise from ego and attachment. The path of liberation is not through external show, but through the sweet and effortless remembrance of Govind — the Sustainer of the Universe. It is this Naam Bhajan, done with natural ease and love, that truly liberates.

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Pauri

1. ਬਹੁਤੁ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਬਿਆਪੈ ॥
   <i>Bahuṫ si▫aaṇap jam kaa bʰa▫o bi▫aapæ</i>
   Translation: Even with all your cleverness, the fear of death will not leave you.
   Hindi Transliteration: बहुतु सिआणप जम का भउ बिआपै।

2. ਅਨਿਕ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਨਾ ਧ੍ਰਾਪੈ ॥
   <i>Anik jaṫan kar ṫarisan naa ḋʰaraapæ</i>
   Translation: No matter how many efforts you make, your thirst will not be quenched.
   Hindi Transliteration: अनिक जतन करि त्रिसन ना ध्रापै।

3. ਭੇਖ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਗਨਿ ਨਹੀ ਬੁਝੈ ॥
   <i>Bʰékʰ anék agan nahee bujʰæ</i>
   Translation: Donning various religious robes does not extinguish the inner fire.
   Hindi Transliteration: भेख अनेक अगनि नही बुझै।

4. ਕੋਟਿ ਉਪਾਵ ਦਰਗਹ ਨਹੀ ਸਿਝੈ ॥
   <i>Kot upaav ḋargėh nahee sijʰæ</i>
   Translation: Even with millions of devices, you will not be accepted in the Court of the Lord.
   Hindi Transliteration: कोटि उपाव दरगह नही सिझै।

5. ਛੂਟਸਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਊਭ ਪਇਆਲਿ ॥
   <i>Chʰootas naahee oobʰ pa▫i▫aal</i>
   Translation: You cannot escape by rising high or sinking deep,
   Hindi Transliteration: छूटसि नाही ऊभ पइआलि।

6. ਮੋਹਿ ਬਿਆਪਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਲਿ ॥
   <i>Mohi bi▫aapahi maa▫i▫aa jaal</i>
   Translation: if you remain entangled in attachment and Maya’s net.
   Hindi Transliteration: मोहि बिआपहि माइआ जालि।

7. ਅਵਰ ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਜਮੁ ਡਾਨੈ ॥
   <i>Avar karṫooṫ saglee jam daanæ</i>
   Translation: All other actions are judged and punished by the Messenger of Death,
   Hindi Transliteration: अवर करतूति सगली जमु डानै।

8. ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
   <i>Govinḋ bʰajan bin ṫil nahee maanæ</i>
   Translation: without the remembrance of Govind (the Lmighty Akaal Purakh), even a grain’s worth is not accepted.
   Hindi Transliteration: गोविंद भजन बिनु तिलु नही मानै।

9. ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਇ ॥
   <i>Har kaa naam japaṫ ḋukʰ jaa▫é</i>
   Translation: Chanting the Lord’s Name drives away sorrow.
   Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जपत दुखु जाइ।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਬੋਲੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥੪॥
    <i>Naanak bolæ sahj subʰaa▫é. ||4||</i>
    Translation: O Nanak! Speak it with intuitive ease and natural poise. ||4||
    Hindi Transliteration: नानक बोलै सहजि सुभाइ ॥४॥

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Essence

This Pauri is a deeply spiritual critique of anxiety-driven religiosity. Cleverness, rituals, outward appearances, and a multitude of efforts cannot appease Yam (the Messenger of Death), nor can they satisfy the inner hunger of the soul. The fire of desire rages on.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji is reminding us that ego, desire, and attachment cannot be outwitted — only surrendered. Even millions of attempts to "reach" heaven or purify the self, if done without bhajan (devotional remembrance), bring no spiritual recognition in the Court of Truth.

He ends not with despair, but with hope rooted in simplicity: Chant the Naam. Do so in “sahaj subhaae” — in natural balance and inner stillness. In that sacred ease, the darkness of sorrow lifts.

If you feel this humble piece could offer even a small measure of peace to someone you know, please do share it.

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.