Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 3, Pauri 2)

Second Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi

Introduction

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Nanak, now turns his compassionate gaze toward those who seek liberation through external austerities and rigorous religious performance. In this Pauri, he illustrates how even the most extreme sacrifices and spiritual disciplines, if performed without humility and divine remembrance, remain hollow. Without Naam, the ego remains untouched, and the soul remains bound. This is a direct yet deeply loving message from the Guru — seek Naam, not ego-affirming acts.

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Pauri

1. ਨਉ ਖੰਡ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਫਿਰੈ ਚਿਰੁ ਜੀਵੈ ॥
   <i>Na▫o kʰand pariṫʰmee firæ chir jeevæ</i>
   Translation: You may roam the nine continents and live a long, extended life,
   Hindi Transliteration: नउ खंड प्रिथमी फिरै चिरु जीवै।

2. ਮਹਾ ਉਦਾਸੁ ਤਪੀਸਰੁ ਥੀਵੈ ॥
   <i>Mahaa uḋaas ṫapeesar ṫʰeevæ</i>
   Translation: become the greatest renunciate, a master ascetic in deep discipline,
   Hindi Transliteration: महा उदासु तपीसरु थीवै।

3. ਅਗਨਿ ਮਾਹਿ ਹੋਮਤ ਪਰਾਨ ॥
   <i>Agan maahi homaṫ paraan</i>
   Translation: and even offer yourself to fire in ritual sacrifice,
   Hindi Transliteration: अगनि माहि होमत परान।

4. ਕਨਿਕ ਅਸ੍ਵ ਹੈਵਰ ਭੂਮਿ ਦਾਨ ॥
   <i>Kanik asav hævar bʰoom ḋaan</i>
   Translation: or give away gold, horses, elephants, and land in charity,
   Hindi Transliteration: कनिक अस्व हैवर भूमि दान।

5. ਨਿਉਲੀ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੈ ਬਹੁ ਆਸਨ ॥
   <i>Ni▫ulee karam karæ baho aasan</i>
   Translation: perform yogic postures and cleansing exercises endlessly,
   Hindi Transliteration: निउली करम करै बहु आसन।

6. ਜੈਨ ਮਾਰਗ ਸੰਜਮ ਅਤਿ ਸਾਧਨ ॥
   <i>Jæn maarag sanjam aṫ saaḋʰan</i>
   Translation: follow the path of Jain austerity and severe self-control,
   Hindi Transliteration: जैन मारग संजम अति साधन।

7. ਨਿਮਖ ਨਿਮਖ ਕਰਿ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਟਾਵੈ ॥
   <i>Nimakʰ nimakʰ kar sareer kataavæ</i>
   Translation: or cut your body to pieces, moment by moment—
   Hindi Transliteration: निमख निमख करि सरीरु कटावै।

8. ਤਉ ਭੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
   <i>Ṫa▫o bʰee ha▫umæ mæl na jaavæ</i>
   Translation: even then, the filth of ego shall not depart.
   Hindi Transliteration: तउ भी हउमै मैलु न जावै।

9. ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਕਛੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥
   <i>Har ké naam samsar kachʰ naahi</i>
   Translation: There is nothing that equals the Name of the Lord.
   Hindi Transliteration: हरि के नाम समसरि कछु नाहि।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੨॥
    <i>Naanak gurmukʰ naam japaṫ gaṫ paahi. ||2||</i>
    Translation: O Nanak! Salvation is found through Naam, when chanted as a Gurmukh. ||2||
    Hindi Transliteration: नानक गुरमुखि नामु जपत गति पाहि ॥२॥

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Essence

This Pauri is an uncompromising spiritual mirror. Guru Arjan Dev Ji places before us a litany of extreme religious acts — wandering the earth, performing fire rituals, donating wealth, self-mutilation, austere yogic practices, and Jain-style asceticism — and then gently declares: none of these wash away ego.

The implication is not that these practices are inherently wrong, but that without Naam, without inner humility, they are ultimately acts of subtle pride — often performed to earn merit or identity, not to surrender the self.

The Guru’s verdict is clear and complete: “Even then, the filth of ego shall not depart.” In contrast, a single Gurmukh-led utterance of the Divine Name, full of love and guided by the Guru, purifies, liberates, and elevates the soul. That is true bhakti — not through performance, but through remembrance; not through denial, but through divine union.

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.