Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 2, Pauri 6)
Sixth Pauri of the Second Ashtapadi
Introduction
In the earlier Pauris of this Ashtapadi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, offered a compelling portrait of the power of the Divine Name (Naam) to comfort, elevate, and liberate. Now, in the Sixth Pauri, the Guru elaborates how Naam not only removes obstacles but becomes the totality of the devotee’s life — their path to liberation, their nourishment, their beauty, honour, and joy. The Pauri culminates in a clear, devotional declaration: the servant is forever immersed in the service of Har, Har (the Almighty Akaal Purakh), for such worship is itself supreme.
Pauri
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam jan ka▫o mukaṫ jugaṫ</i>
Translation: The Name of the Lord is the path to or key to liberation for His humble servant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जन कउ मुकति जुगति।ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਭੁਗਤਿ ॥
<i>Har kæ naam jan ka▫o ṫaripaṫ bʰugaṫ</i>
Translation: With the Lord’s Name as their nourishment, His servants are fully satisfied and sated.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि कै नामि जन कउ त्रिपति भुगति।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਾ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗੁ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam jan kaa roop rang</i>
Translation: The Lord’s Name is the beauty and delight of His servant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जन का रूप रंगु।ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕਬ ਪਰੈ ਨ ਭੰਗੁ ॥
<i>Har naam japaṫ kab paræ na bʰang</i>
Translation: One who chants the Naam is never defiled by extraneous flith.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि नामु जपत कब परै न भंगु।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam jan kee vadi▫aa▫ee</i>
Translation: The greatness (or eminence) of the servant lies in the Lord’s Name.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जन की वडिआई।ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਜਨ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਈ ॥
<i>Har kæ naam jan sobʰaa paa▫ee</i>
Translation: Through the Lord’s Name, His servant obtains divine honour and recognition.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि कै नामि जन सोभा पाई।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਭੋਗ ਜੋਗ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam jan ka▫o bʰog jog</i>
Translation: The Lord’s Name is both worldly enjoyment and union for His servant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जन कउ भोग जोग।ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕਛੁ ਨਾਹਿ ਬਿਓਗੁ ॥
<i>Har naam japaṫ kachʰ naahi bi▫og</i>
Translation: Chanting the Naam, there is no separation (or estrangement or rift) from God.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि नामु जपत कछु नाहि बिओगु।ਜਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥
<i>Jan raaṫaa har naam kee sévaa</i>
Translation: The servant is immersed in the loving service of the Lord’s Name.
Hindi Transliteration: जनु राता हरि नाम की सेवा।ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਜੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਦੇਵਾ ॥੬॥
<i>Naanak poojæ har har ḋévaa. ||6||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! Worship the Lord Divine, Har, Har (the Almighty Akaal Purakh). ||6||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक पूजै हरि हरि देवा ॥६॥
Essence
In this richly devotional Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji affirms that for the humble servant (jan), Naam is not an ornament or ritual — it is their identity, nourishment, and purpose. Naam is the path to liberation, not through philosophy or austerity, but through continuous remembrance and loving surrender. It satisfies the soul’s hunger, brings joy and honour, and becomes both pleasure and yoga — sensual fulfilment and spiritual union.
Importantly, the Guru emphasises that the one who truly lives in Naam is never afflicted by separation, for they are always united with the Divine, even amidst life’s challenges. Such a soul lives in bhakti through seva — immersed in the active, joyful service of Har, Har. Their greatness, fame, and inner beauty come not from wealth or achievement, but from being coloured in the Lord’s Name.
The final line, simple and sweeping, is a call to all seekers: O Nanak, worship Him — the Lord Divine, Har, Har, the Akaal Purakh. Not as an idol, but through His living Name, active within the heart, recognised in the world, and adored by the Gurmukh.
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.
ਐਸੇ ਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਆਪ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਤਾਰੈ।।
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ 🙏🙏🙏