Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 4, Pauri 6)
Sixth Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi
Introduction
This Pauri continues Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s reflection on spiritual helplessness without divine intervention. Through a series of metaphors, he illustrates the futility of human effort without divine grace, drawing comparisons to the blind, deaf, mute, and crippled. The message is poignant: only the Lord’s compassion can lead the soul to salvation.
Pauri
ਸੁਨਿ ਅੰਧਾ ਕੈਸੇ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Sun anḋʰaa kaisé maarag paavæ.
Translation: How can the blind find the path just by listening?
Hindi: सुनकर अंधा मार्ग कैसे पाए?ਕਰੁ ਗਹਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਓੜਿ ਨਿਬਹਾਵੈ ॥
Kar geh lého oṛ nibhaavæ.
Translation: Only if someone takes his hand can he reach his destination.
Hindi: कोई हाथ पकड़ ले तभी वह मंज़िल तक पहुंचता है।ਕਹਾ ਬੁਝਾਰਤਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਡੋਰਾ ॥
Kahaa bujhaarat boojhai doraa.
Translation: How can a deaf person understand a riddle?
Hindi: बधिर व्यक्ति पहेली कैसे समझे?ਨਿਸਿ ਕਹੀਐ ਤਉ ਸਮਝੈ ਭੋਰਾ ॥
Nis kaheeai ta-o samjhai bhoraa.
Translation: Say ‘night’, and he thinks you said ‘day’.
Hindi: रात कहा और वह दिन समझा।ਕਹਾ ਬਿਸਨਪਦ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੁੰਗ ॥
Kahaa bisanpad gaavæ gung.
Translation: How can the mute sing the praises of the Lord?
Hindi: मूक व्यक्ति प्रभु के भजन कैसे गाए?ਜਤਨ ਕਰੈ ਤਉ ਭੀ ਸੁਰ ਭੰਗ ॥
Jatan karai ta-o bhee sur bʰang.
Translation: Even if he tries, his voice will falter.
Hindi: प्रयास करने पर भी सुर नहीं निकलते।ਕਹ ਪਿੰਗੁਲ ਪਰਬਤ ਪਰ ਭਵਨ ॥
Kah pingul parbat par bhavan.
Translation: How can a cripple climb the mountain?
Hindi: लंगड़ा पर्वत पर कैसे चढ़े?ਨਹੀ ਹੋਤ ਊਹਾ ਉਸੁ ਗਵਨ ॥
Nahee hot oohaa us gavan.
Translation: He simply cannot reach there.
Hindi: वह वहां तक जा ही नहीं सकता।ਕਰਤਾਰ ਕਰੁਣਾ ਮੈ ਦੀਨੁ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰੈ ॥
Kartaar karuṇaa mai deen béntee karai.
Translation: O Creator Lord! This humble one prays for Your compassion.
Hindi: हे करतार! मैं दीन बिनती करता हूं—कृपा करो।ਨਾਨਕ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤਰੈ ॥੬॥
Naanak tumree kirpaa tarai. ||6||
Translation: O Nanak! Only by Your Grace can one be saved. ||6||
Hindi: नानक कहें—तेरी कृपा से ही पार उतरना संभव है॥६॥
Essence
In this striking Pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji paints a vivid picture of human helplessness through the imagery of sensory impairment and physical limitation. The spiritually blind cannot walk the path, the deaf misunderstand guidance, the mute cannot praise, and the crippled cannot ascend. Each metaphor underlines the limitations of self-effort without the guidance of the Divine.
These are not just physical metaphors but symbols of our spiritual incapacity: blindness of ego, deafness to wisdom, voicelessness in devotion, and paralysis in righteous action. Guru Ji urges us to recognise our dependency on divine grace. All effort is futile unless guided by God's hand.
The Pauri ends on a humble, prayerful note: it is only through God's kirpa (grace) that the soul can be uplifted. This teaches us the value of surrender, humility, and devotion in seeking liberation.
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.
🙏🙏🙏