Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 3, Pauri 7)

Seventh Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi

Introduction

In this Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji extols the universality and completeness of the Divine Name. God is portrayed as the sole support of the vulnerable and forgotten, the invisible giver to all, the inner-knower of every soul. And yet, the Guru acknowledges that only God can truly describe His own greatness. The message is one of awe, comfort, and surrender — for those seeking refuge in the Divine Name.

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Pauri

1. ਨਿਰਧਨ ਕਉ ਧਨੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਨਾਉ ॥
   <i>Nirḋʰan ka▫o ḋʰan ṫéro naa▫o</i>
   Translation: To the poor, Your Name is their wealth.
   Hindi Transliteration: निरधन कउ धनु तेरो नाउ।

2. ਨਿਥਾਵੇ ਕਉ ਨਾਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਥਾਉ ॥
   <i>Niṫʰaavé ka▫o naa▫o ṫéraa ṫʰaa▫o</i>
   Translation: To the shelterless, Your Name is their shelter.
   Hindi Transliteration: निथावे कउ नाउ तेरा थाउ।

3. ਨਿਮਾਨੇ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੋ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
   <i>Nimaané ka▫o parabʰ ṫéro maan</i>
   Translation: To the dishonoured, O Lord, You are honour itself.
   Hindi Transliteration: निमाने कउ प्रभ तेरो मानु।

4. ਸਗਲ ਘਟਾ ਕਉ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਦਾਨੁ ॥
   <i>Sagal gʰataa ka▫o ḋévhu ḋaan</i>
   Translation: You are the Giver of gifts to every being.
   Hindi Transliteration: सगल घटा कउ देवहु दानु।

5. ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨਹਾਰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥
   <i>Karan karaavanhaar su▫aamee</i>
   Translation: O Master, You are the Doer and the Cause of all doing.
   Hindi Transliteration: करन करावनहार सुआमी।

6. ਸਗਲ ਘਟਾ ਕੇ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥
   <i>Sagal gʰataa ké anṫarjaamee</i>
   Translation: You are the Inner-knower, the Searcher of all hearts.
   Hindi Transliteration: सगल घटा के अंतरजामी।

7. ਅਪਨੀ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਆਪੇ ॥
   <i>Apnee gaṫ miṫ jaanhu aapé</i>
   Translation: Only You know Your own extent and greatness.
   Hindi Transliteration: अपनी गति मिति जानहु आपे।

8. ਆਪਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਆਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਰਾਤੇ ॥
   <i>Aapan sang aap parabʰ raaṫé</i>
   Translation: You are absorbed in Yourself, O God.
   Hindi Transliteration: आपन संगि आपि प्रभ राते।

9. ਤੁਮੑਰੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ॥
   <i>Ṫumĥree usṫaṫ ṫum ṫé ho▫é</i>
   Translation: Only You can praise Yourself.
   Hindi Transliteration: तुम्हरी उसतति तुम ते होइ।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਕੋਇ ॥੭॥
    <i>Naanak avar na jaanas ko▫é. ||7||</i>
    Translation: O Nanak! No one else can truly know You. ||7||
    Hindi Transliteration: नानक अवरु न जानसि कोइ ॥७॥

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Essence

This Pauri is sheer poetry of surrender. Guru Arjan Dev Ji presents God not merely as powerful, but as personally accessible — the wealth of the poor, the home of the homeless, the honour of the dishonoured. The Guru addresses those who are forsaken by the world, affirming that the Naam is their everything.

We’re reminded that God acts not through judgment but through compassion. He is the giver, the doer, and the one who enables others to act. But just when we think we may have understood Him, the Guru humbly pulls us back — “Only You know Your own glory.”

This is the true bhāv (spirit) of the Bhagat: total devotion, absolute humility, and the wisdom that God alone is the knower of all mysteries.

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.