Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 4, Pauri 4)

Fourth Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi

Introduction

In the preceding verses, Guru Arjan Dev Ji has lamented the human condition—where man forgets the ever-present Divine despite receiving every blessing from Him. This next Pauri goes deeper into this irony, illustrating the spiritual ignorance of those who abandon priceless truth for worthless illusions. With compassion, Guru Sahib reveals how worldly delusions and misdirected desires trap the soul, while the ever-benevolent Lord awaits to uplift it.

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Pauri

1. ਰਤਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਕਉਡੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਚੈ ॥
   <i>Ratan ti-aag ka-udee sang rachai</i>
   Translation: Forsaking the jewel, they are engrossed with a shell.
   Hindi: रतन तियागि कौड़ी संग रचै।

2. ਸਾਚੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਝੂਠ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਚੈ ॥
   <i>Saach chhod jhooth sang machai</i>
   Translation: They renounce Truth and indulge in falsehood.
   Hindi: साचु छोड़ि झूठ संग मचै।

3. ਜੋ ਛਡਨਾ ਸੁ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
   <i>Jo chhadnaa so asthir kar maanai</i>
   Translation: That which is fleeting (ephemeral), they believe to be permanent.
   Hindi: जो छडना सु अस्थिरु करि माने।

4. ਜੋ ਹੋਵਨੁ ਸੋ ਦੂਰਿ ਪਰਾਨੈ ॥
   <i>Jo hovan so door paraanai</i>
   Translation: That which is ever-present, they consider far away.
   Hindi: जो होवनु सो दूरि परानै।

5. ਛੋਡਿ ਜਾਇ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਸ੍ਰਮੁ ਕਰੈ ॥
   <i>Chhod jaae tis kaa sram karai</i>
   Translation: They labour for that which they must ultimately abandon.
   Hindi: छोड़ि जाए तिस का स्रमु करै।

6. ਸੰਗਿ ਸਹਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਰਹਰੈ ॥
   <i>Sang sahaai tis parharai</i>
   Translation: They abandon the Lord, their eternal Companion and Helper.
   Hindi: संगि सहाई तिसु परहरै।

7. ਚੰਦਨ ਲੇਪੁ ਉਤਾਰੈ ਧੋਇ ॥
   <i>Chandan lep utaarai dho-e</i>
   Translation: Try to wash off the stench (of their sins) the fragrance of sandalwood,
   Hindi: चंदन लेपु उतारै धोइ।

8. ਗਰਧਬ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਭਸਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
   <i>Gardhab preet bhasam sang ho-e</i>
   Translation: and are instead attracted to ashes (filth), like donkeys loving filth.
   Hindi: गर्दभ प्रीति भसम संग होइ।

9. ਅੰਧ ਕੂਪ ਮਹਿ ਪਤਿਤ ਬਿਕਰਾਲ ॥
   <i>Andh koop meh patit bikraal</i>
   Translation: They fall into a terrible, dark, blind well.
   Hindi: अंध कूप महि पतित विकराल।

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦਇਆਲ ॥੪॥
    <i>Nanak kaadh leho prabh daiaal. ||4||</i>
    Translation: Nanak prays—lift them up and save them, O Merciful Lord! ||4||
    Hindi: नानक काढि लेहु प्रभ दइआल ॥४॥

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Essence

In this striking Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji compassionately outlines the tragedy of spiritual blindness. Mankind, in its ignorance, chooses shells over jewels—illusions over truth. We chase impermanence, mistake nearness for distance, and expend great effort on that which is bound to slip away. In doing so, we forsake the one true Companion—God Himself—who walks with us in all conditions.

The metaphor of washing off sandalwood only to roll in ashes like a donkey is sharp, deliberate, and profound. It captures the human tendency to exchange sacred divine grace for base worldly attachments. Blind to the depth of our fall, we dwell in dark pits of delusion, forgetting our own light.

Yet, even in this bleak depiction, the Pauri ends with hope. Guru Sahib calls out to the Merciful Lord to rescue the fallen, uplift the deluded, and awaken the sleeping soul. Through divine grace, even the darkest ignorance can be transformed into enlightenment.

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.