Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 3, Pauri 8)
Eighth Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi
Introduction
In this climactic Pauri of the Third Ashtapadi, Guru Arjan Dev Ji beautifully concludes his meditation on the true essence of religion, action, speech, and place. With poetic clarity, he tells us that among all that humans pursue — faiths, rituals, efforts, words, and sacred spaces — the Naam of the Lord stands alone as the supreme reality. The verse points us inward, showing that the divine home is not a temple, shrine, or philosophy — but the heart where Hari dwells.
Pauri
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥
<i>Sarab ḋʰaram mėh sarésat ḋʰaram</i>
Translation: Of all ‘religions’, the highest righteous conduct/ duty or religion
Hindi Transliteration: सरब धरम महि स्रेसट धरमु।ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
<i>Har ko naam jap nirmal karam</i>
Translation: is to chant the Lord's Name and live a life of pure conduct.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि को नामु जपि निरमल करमु।ਸਗਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਊਤਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥
<i>Sagal kir▫aa mėh ooṫam kiri▫aa</i>
Translation: Of all rituals, the most exalted
Hindi Transliteration: सगल क्रिआ महि ऊतम किरिआ।ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਿਰਿਆ ॥
<i>Saaḋʰsang ḋurmaṫ mal hiri▫aa</i>
Translation: is to cleanse the filth of evil-mindedness in the Company of the Holy.
Hindi Transliteration: साधसंगि दुरमति मलु हिरिआ।ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥
<i>Sagal uḋam mėh uḋam bʰalaa</i>
Translation: Of all efforts, the best effort
Hindi Transliteration: सगल उदम महि उदमु भला।ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥
<i>Har kaa naam japahu jee▫a saḋaa</i>
Translation: is to remember the Lord’s Name constantly in your heart.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि का नामु जपहु जीअ सदा।ਸਗਲ ਬਾਨੀ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥
<i>Sagal baanee mėh amriṫ baanee</i>
Translation: Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech
Hindi Transliteration: सगल बानी महि अमृत बानी।ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਜਸੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਰਸਨ ਬਖਾਨੀ ॥
<i>Har ko jas sun rasan bakʰaanee</i>
Translation: is to hear and chant the Praise of the Lord with your tongue.
Hindi Transliteration: हरि को जसु सुनि रसन बखानी।ਸਗਲ ਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਓਹੁ ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨੁ ॥
<i>Sagal ṫʰaan ṫé oh ooṫam ṫʰaan</i>
Translation: Of all places, the most sacred place
Hindi Transliteration: सगल थान ते ओहु ऊतम थानु।ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੮॥੩॥
<i>Naanak jih gʰat vasæ har naam. ||8||3||</i>
Translation: O Nanak! Is that heart in which the Lord’s Name dwells. ||8||3||
Hindi Transliteration: नानक जिह घटि वसै हरि नामु ॥८॥३॥
Essence
In these ten luminous lines, Guru Arjan Dev Ji redefines greatness and sacredness. He tells us that:
The best religion or righteous living or duty is not dogma but Naam Simran with ethical living.
The highest ritual is not elaborate ceremony but cleansing the mind in Sadh Sangat.
The greatest effort is not worldly ambition but constant remembrance of the Lord.
The sweetest speech is not rhetoric but praise of God’s virtues.
The holiest place is not geographic — it is the heart filled with the Divine Name.
The message is elegant and revolutionary: God is not a destination to be reached, but a Presence to be remembered. The Naam, the Sangat, and inner purity — these form the living temple of the soul.
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 ਜੀਓ 🙏🙏