Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 3, Pauri 3)
Third Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi
Introduction
In this concluding pauri of the Third Ashtapadi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji continues to strip away the illusion that external piety leads to inner purity. Even the most revered acts — dying at a sacred shrine, ritual bathing, or harsh physical discipline — are shown to be inadequate unless they are accompanied by Naam Simran, the remembrance of God's Name. The Guru lovingly reminds the seeker: it is not how you cleanse your body, but how you humble your mind that determines your liberation.
Pauri
ਮਨ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਤੀਰਥ ਦੇਹ ਛੁਟੈ ॥
<i>Man kaamnaa ṫiraṫʰ ḋéh chʰutæ</i>
Translation: You may die at a sacred pilgrimage site, desiring spiritual merit,
Hindi Transliteration: मन कामना तीरथ देह छुटै।ਗਰਬੁ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ਨ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਹੁਟੈ ॥
<i>Garab gumaan na man ṫé hutæ</i>
Translation: yet your mind will still harbour pride and ego.
Hindi Transliteration: गरबु गुमानु न मन ते हुटै।ਸੋਚ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਅਰੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥
<i>Soch karæ ḋinas ar raaṫ</i>
Translation: You may practise rituals of cleansing, day and night,
Hindi Transliteration: सोच करै दिनसु अरु राति।ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਜਾਤਿ ॥
<i>Man kee mæl na ṫan ṫé jaaṫ</i>
Translation: yet the filth of the mind shall not be washed off through the body.
Hindi Transliteration: मन की मैलु न तन ते जाति।ਇਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਕਉ ਬਹੁ ਸਾਧਨਾ ਕਰੈ ॥
<i>Is ḋéhee ka▫o baho saaḋʰnaa karæ</i>
Translation: You may impose countless austerities upon this body,
Hindi Transliteration: इसु देही कउ बहु साधना करै।ਮਨ ਤੇ ਕਬਹੂ ਨ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਟਰੈ ॥
<i>Man ṫé kabhoo na bikʰi▫aa taræ</i>
Translation: yet the corruption of the mind will not be removed.
Hindi Transliteration: मन ते कबहू न बिखिआ टरै।ਜਲਿ ਧੋਵੈ ਬਹੁ ਦੇਹ ਅਨੀਤਿ ॥
<i>Jal ḋʰovæ baho ḋéh aneeṫ</i>
Translation: You may wash this fragile, perishable body in vast amounts of water,
Hindi Transliteration: जलि धोवै बहु देह अनीति।ਸੁਧ ਕਹਾ ਹੋਇ ਕਾਚੀ ਭੀਤਿ ॥
<i>Suḋʰ kahaa ho▫é kaachee bʰeeṫ</i>
Translation: but how can a wall of mud ever become clean?
Hindi Transliteration: सुध कहा होइ काची भीति।ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਊਚ ॥
<i>Man har ké naam kee mahimaa ooch</i>
Translation: O my mind! The glory of the Name of the Lord is supreme,
Hindi Transliteration: मन हरि के नाम की महिमा ऊच।ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਪਤਿਤ ਬਹੁ ਮੂਚ ॥੩॥
<i>Naanak naam uḋʰré paṫiṫ baho mooch. ||3||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! The Naam has saved multitudes of the most fallen. ||3||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक नामि उधरे पतित बहु मूच ॥३॥
Essence
This Pauri is a direct challenge to religious superficiality. Guru Arjan Dev Ji questions acts that masquerade as holiness while leaving the heart unchanged. Whether dying at a tirth, bathing in sacred waters, fasting, or even mutilating the body — none of it cleanses the ego unless the Naam resides in the mind.
The Guru uses the metaphor of a mud wall: you may wash it again and again, but it cannot be purified. In the same way, a mind not attuned to the Divine remains stained by haumai (ego). Cleansing the body may satisfy social or ritual standards, but only Naam can cleanse the self.
In a beautiful reversal of religious elitism, the Guru concludes: “Naam has saved even the most fallen.” This is the radical compassion of Gurmat — not based on merit, but on grace, remembrance, and love.
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.