Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 4, Pauri 2)

Second Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi

Introduction

Following the humble plea of the previous Pauri — in which the devotee beseeches divine forgiveness for failing to recognise the Lord’s constant care — this second Pauri further explores how every joy, relationship, and sensory delight in life springs from the Divine Grace of Waheguru.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji gently reminds us that although we laugh, enjoy, and thrive thanks to God's countless blessings, we often forsake the very Giver, becoming attached to worldly attractions. This Pauri is a compassionate warning: to forget the Giver is to invite spiritual blindness. The Guru implores Waheguru to redeem such errant souls through His own mercy.

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Pauri

1. ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਧਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਬਸਹਿ ॥
   <i>Jih parsāḋ ḋhar oopar sukẖ basėh</i>
   Translation: By His Grace, you abide in comfort upon the earth.
   Hindi: जिह प्रसादि धर ऊपरि सुखि बसहि।

2. ਸੁਤ ਭ੍ਰਾਤ ਮੀਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਸਹਿ ॥
   <i>Suṫ bʰrāt meeṫ baniṫā sang hasėh</i>
   Translation: With your children, siblings, friends, and spouse, you laugh in joy.
   Hindi: सुत भ्रात मीत बनिता संगि हसहि।

3. ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਪੀਵਹਿ ਸੀਤਲ ਜਲਾ ॥
   <i>Jih parsāḋ peevėh seetal jalā</i>
   Translation: By His Grace, you drink cool and refreshing water.
   Hindi: जिह प्रसादि पीवहि सीतल जला।

4. ਸੁਖਦਾਈ ਪਵਨੁ ਪਾਵਕੁ ਅਮੁਲਾ ॥
   <i>Sukẖḋā▫ee pavan pāvak amulā</i>
   Translation: You are blessed with soothing breezes and the priceless gift of fire.
   Hindi: सुखदाई पवनु पावकु अमुला।

5. ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਭੋਗਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਰਸਾ ॥
   <i>Jih parsāḋ bʰogėh sabʰ rasā</i>
   Translation: By His Grace, you enjoy all sorts of pleasures.
   Hindi: जिह प्रसादि भोगहि सभि रसा।

6. ਸਗਲ ਸਮਗ੍ਰੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਥਿ ਬਸਾ ॥
   <i>Sagal samagrī sang sāṫʰ basā</i>
   Translation: You are surrounded by all comforts and provisions.
   Hindi: सगल समग्री संगि साथि बसा।

7. ਦੀਨੇ ਹਸਤ ਪਾਵ ਕਰਨ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਰਸਨਾ ॥
   <i>Ḋīné hasat pāv karan néṫar rasnā</i>
   Translation: He gave you hands, feet, ears, eyes, and tongue.
   Hindi: दीने हसत पाव करन नेत्र रसना।

8. ਤਿਸਹਿ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਅਵਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਚਨਾ ॥
   <i>Ṫisėh ṯiāg avar sang rachnā</i>
   Translation: Yet you forsake Him and become engrossed with others.
   Hindi: तिसहि तिआगि अवर संगि रचना।

9. ਐਸੇ ਦੋਖ ਮੂੜ ਅੰਧ ਬਿਆਪੇ ॥
   <i>Æsé ḋokẖ mooṛ anḋh biāpé</i>
   Translation: Such sins afflict the blind and foolish.
   Hindi: ऐसे दोख मूड़ अंध बिआपे।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪੇ ॥੨॥
    <i>Nānak kāḋẖ léh parabẖ āpé. ||2||</i>
    Translation: O Nanak! God alone can lift them out and save them. ||2||
    Hindi: नानक काढि लेहु प्रभ आपे ॥२॥

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Essence

This Pauri is both reflective and redemptive. It shows how human beings enjoy all forms of physical, emotional, and material blessings by the kindness of Waheguru. Yet, tragically, many forget the One behind the gifts.

The verses paint a portrait of ingratitude veiled in comfort, warning that spiritual ignorance clings tightly to such souls. And yet, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, out of love, appeals to the Divine to personally rescue these blind souls — for only the Giver Himself can awaken their hearts.

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.