Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 2, Pauri 5)
Fifth Pauri of the Second Ashtapadi
Introduction
In the Fourth Pauri, the seeker was led through the stark loneliness of the inner and after-life journey, where Naam alone served as sustenance, shade, light, and rain. In the Fifth Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji turns the focus to the lifestyle of saints and devotees — those who have not merely recognised the value of the Divine Name, but have made it their constant companion, medicine, and wealth. The Pauri portrays a devotee’s life steeped in Simran, marked by peace, joy, and wise discernment — gifts that come only through divine grace.
Pauri
ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ਬਰਤਨਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
<i>Bʰagaṫ janaa kee barṫan naam</i>
Translation: For the devotees, the Naam is their daily provision and tool.
Hindi Transliteration: भगत जना की बरतनि नामु।ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮੁ ॥
<i>Sanṫ janaa kæ man bisraam</i>
Translation: The minds of the saints dwell in peaceful repose.
Hindi Transliteration: संत जना कै मनि बिस्रामु।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਸ ਕੀ ਓਟ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam ḋaas kee ot</i>
Translation: The Lord’s Name is the protective support of His servant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु दास की ओट।ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਜਨ ਕੋਟਿ ॥
<i>Har kæ naam uḋʰré jan kot</i>
Translation: By the Naam, countless (crores) beings have been saved.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि कै नामि उधरे जन कोटि।ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਕਰਤ ਸੰਤ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥
<i>Har jas karaṫ sanṫ ḋin raaṫ</i>
Translation: Saints praise the Lord day and night without pause.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि जसु करत संत दिनु राति।ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਸਾਧ ਕਮਾਤਿ ॥
<i>Har har a▫ukʰaḋʰ saaḋʰ kamaaṫ</i>
Translation: The Holy take the Lord’s Name as their sacred remedy.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि हरि अउखधु साध कमाति।ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥
<i>Har jan kæ har naam niḋʰaan</i>
Translation: The Naam is the priceless treasure of the Lord’s servant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि जन कै हरि नामु निधानु।ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਿ ਜਨ ਕੀਨੋ ਦਾਨ ॥
<i>Paarbarahm jan keeno ḋaan</i>
Translation: The Supreme Lord Himself bestows this gift upon His devotee.
Hindi Transliteration: पारब्रहमि जन कीनो दान।ਮਨ ਤਨ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਤੇ ਰੰਗ ਏਕੈ ॥
<i>Man ṫan rang raṫé rang ékæ</i>
Translation: Their mind and body are dyed in the single colour of Divine Love.
Hindi Transliteration: मन तन रंगि रते रंग एकै।ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕੈ ਬਿਰਤਿ ਬਿਬੇਕੈ ॥੫॥
<i>Naanak jan kæ biraṫ bibékæ. ||5||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! The conduct of such servants is guided by wisdom and discernment. ||5||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक जन कै बिरति बिबेकै ॥५॥
Essence
This Pauri offers a serene glimpse into the daily spiritual reality of the devotee. Guru Arjan Dev Ji reveals that for saints and seekers, Naam is not just revered — it is lived. It is their tool, their treasure, their medicine, and their resting place. The life of Simran is not abstract but intimately woven into their every thought, word, and breath.
These are the ones whose minds are at peace, not because life is easier, but because their hearts are anchored in the Divine. Saints do not merely survive challenges — they are nourished and healed by Har Har, the Name of the Lord, which they consume like divine medicine. It saves not just one, but millions, and yet is freely given by the Paarbrahm — the Formless Supreme Lord — to those who live in humility and devotion.
The final verses remind us that such a state is no accident. It is the fruit of spiritual clarity or discerning wisdom (bibek) and a disciplined heart. The life of a devotee is not blind faith, but a wise and vibrant response to Divine grace, coloured only in the hue of the One Lord. And as Nanak gently reminds us — this simplicity, this wisdom, this love — is the natural expression of one who truly serves 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.
Well explained sir 🙏