Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 2, Salok and Pauri 1)
Introduction to the Second Ashtapadi (Salok and Pauri 1)
With the first Ashtapadi complete, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, opens the Second Ashtapadi with a heartfelt Salok, calling upon the Divine as the Liberator of the lowly, the Sovereign of every soul, and the Shelter of the shelterless. The following Pauri speaks directly to the seeker — to the human condition of isolation, fear, and uncertainty — and reveals that only the Lord’s Name (Naam) is our true companion in life, death, and beyond. Rituals fail, relationships fall away, but the Naam remains our eternal support.
Salok of the Second Ashtapadi
ਦੀਨ ਦਰਦ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨਾ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਨਾਥ ਅਨਾਥ ॥
<i>Ḋeen ḋaraḋ ḋukʰ bʰanjnaa gʰat gʰat naaṫʰ anaaṫʰ</i>
Translation: O Destroyer of the pain and suffering of the poor, O Master of each and every heart, O Masterless One!
Hindi Transliteration: दीन दरद दुख भंजना घटि घटि नाथ अनाथ।ਸਰਣਿ ਤੁਮੑਾਰੀ ਆਇਓ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਥ ॥੧॥
<i>Saraṇ ṫumĥaaree aa▫i▫o Naanak ké parabʰ saaṫʰ. ||1||</i>
Translation: I have come seeking Your sanctuary. O God, please be with Nanak! ||1||
Hindi Transliteration: शरणि तुम्हारी आइओ नानक के प्रभ साथ ॥१॥
First Pauri of the Second Ashtapadi
ਜਹ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਤ ਮੀਤ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥
<i>Jah maaṫ piṫaa suṫ meeṫ na bʰaa▫ee</i>
Translation: Where there is no mother, father, child, friend, or sibling—
Hindi Transliteration: जह मात पिता सुत मीत न भाई।ਮਨ ਊਹਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਹਾਈ ॥
<i>Man oohaa naam ṫéræ sang sahaa▫ee</i>
Translation: O my mind! There, only the Naam will be your support and companion.
Hindi Transliteration: मन ऊहा नामु तेरै संग सहाई।ਜਹ ਮਹਾ ਭਇਆਨ ਦੂਤ ਜਮ ਦਲੈ ॥
<i>Jah mahaa bʰa▫i▫aan ḋooṫ jam ḋalæ</i>
Translation: Where the terrifying messengers of death descend upon you—
Hindi Transliteration: जह महा भइआन दूत जम दलै।ਤਹ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਤੇਰੈ ਚਲੈ ॥
<i>Ṫah kéval naam sang ṫéræ chalæ</i>
Translation: There, only the Naam shall go along with you.
Hindi Transliteration: तह केवल नामु संगि तेरै चलै।ਜਹ ਮੁਸਕਲ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਰੀ ॥
<i>Jah muskal hovæ aṫ bʰaaree</i>
Translation: Where burdens are unbearably heavy—
Hindi Transliteration: जह मुसकल होवै अति भारी।ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਖਿਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਉਧਾਰੀ ॥
<i>Har ko naam kʰin maahi uḋʰaaree</i>
Translation: The Name of the Lord delivers you in an instant.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि को नामु खिन माहि उधारी।ਅਨਿਕ ਪੁਨਹਚਰਨ ਕਰਤ ਨਹੀ ਤਰੈ ॥
<i>Anik punahcharan karaṫ nahee ṫaræ</i>
Translation: Even countless rituals cannot bring salvation.
Hindi Transliteration: अनिक पुनहचरन करत नहीं तरै।ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਾਪ ਪਰਹਰੈ ॥
<i>Har ko naam kot paap par▫haræ</i>
Translation: But the Name of the Lord erases millions of sins.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि को नामु कोटि पाप परहरै।ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥
<i>Gurmukʰ naam japahu man méré</i>
Translation: O my mind! Chant the Naam as Gurmukh — through the Guru’s grace.
Hindi Transliteration: गुरमुखि नामु जपहु मन मेरे।ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਸੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥੧॥
<i>Naanak paavhu sookʰ gʰanéré. ||1||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! You shall obtain endless joy. ||1||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक पावहु सूख घनेरे ॥१॥
Essence
The Second Ashtapadi opens with a Salok of longing and surrender. The Guru calls upon the Divine not in grandeur, but as the Friend of the forsaken, the One who dwells within all, and the Refuge of the helpless. It is a cry for closeness, for support, and for sanctuary — not just for Nanak, but for all seekers.
The first Pauri then reminds us of the transitory nature of worldly support. When all familiar relationships fall away — when neither parent, child, friend, nor kin can stand by us — only the Divine Name remains. At the final hour, when the messengers of death approach, when trials are insurmountable, when karma clings and rituals fall short — it is Naam alone that saves, instantly and unfailingly.
This Pauri is not a rejection of tradition, but a clarion call to inner authenticity. No amount of outward acts can equal the transformative power of sincere remembrance. And so, the Guru pleads: "O mind! Embrace the Naam as a Gurmukh" — one guided by the Guru, oriented towards the Light. It is through such Simran that, as the Fifth Nanak assures, one receives not only salvation but abundant peace and joy.
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.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ , ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ🙏🙏