Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 4, Pauri 7)
🌿 Introduction to the Seventh Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi
In the ongoing discourse of the Fourth Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev Ji offers deep spiritual insight into the paradox of human behaviour: despite the constant and compassionate presence of the Divine, the ignorant mortal is deluded by false attachments. This seventh pauri continues the warning and reflection on how the spiritually blind fail to recognise their true Companion and instead embrace illusions. It exhorts the seeker to awaken and seek Divine mercy before more lifetimes are lost in vain.
੭. Seventh Pauri (Ashtapadi IV)
ਸੰਗਿ ਸਹਾਈ ਸੁ ਆਵੈ ਨ ਚੀਤਿ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: संगि सहाई सु आवै न चीति।
English Transliteration: Sang sahaa▫ee so aavai na cheet.
English Translation: The Lord, our Help and Support, is always with us, but the mortal does not remember Him.ਜੋ ਬੈਰਾਈ ਤਾ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: जो बैराई ता सिउ प्रीति।
English Transliteration: Jo bairaai taa siou preet.
English Translation: He shows love to his enemies.ਬਲੂਆ ਕੇ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਬਸੈ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: बलूआ के गृह भीतरि बसै।
English Transliteration: Balooaa ke grih bheetar basai.
English Translation: He lives in a castle made of sand.ਅਨਦ ਕੇਲ ਮਾਇਆ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਸੈ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: अनद केल माइआ रंगि रसै।
English Transliteration: Anad kel maiaa rang rasai.
English Translation: He indulges in the pleasures and colourful enticements of Maya.ਦ੍ਰਿੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੈ ਮਨਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤਿ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: दृढ़ु करि मानै मनहि प्रतीति।
English Transliteration: Drirr kar maanai maneh parteet.
English Translation: He strongly believes these illusions to be real and everlasting.ਕਾਲੁ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਮੂੜੇ ਚੀਤਿ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: कालु न आवै मूड़े चीति।
English Transliteration: Kaal na aavai moorhe cheet.
English Translation: The fool does not even think of death.ਬੈਰ ਬਿਰੋਧ ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਮੋਹ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: बैर विरोध काम क्रोध मोह।
English Transliteration: Bair virodh kaam krodh moh.
English Translation: Hatred, conflict, lust, anger, and attachment dominate him.ਝੂਠ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਮਹਾ ਲੋਭ ਧ੍ਰੋਹ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: झूठ विकार महा लोभ धोख।
English Transliteration: Jhooth vikaar mahaa lobh dhroh.
English Translation: Falsehood, vice, extreme greed and deception engulf him.ਇਆਹੂ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਬਿਹਾਨੇ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ॥
Hindi Transliteration: इआहू जुगति बिहाने कई जनम।
English Transliteration: Iaahoo jugat bihaane kai janam.
English Translation: Many lifetimes are wasted living in this way.ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਆਪਨ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੭॥
Hindi Transliteration: नानक राखि लेहु आपन करि करम ॥७॥
English Transliteration: Nanak raakh leho aapan kar karam. ||7||
English Translation: O Nanak! Uplift them and redeem them, O Lord, by Your Grace. ||7||
✨ Essence
In this powerful pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji laments the folly of the spiritually blind who forget the ever-present Lord and instead form emotional attachments to worldly illusions. Though the Divine is our constant companion, we seek love from those who oppose us and invest emotionally in fragile pleasures, like building castles out of sand. The mortal clings to hate, desire, pride, and greed, while failing to contemplate the inevitable reality of death.
Even the worst vices—anger, lust, deceit—become habitual across lifetimes, causing one to squander the chance of liberation. But amid this spiritual darkness, the Guru prays on our behalf: if God in His infinite mercy chooses to save us, even the lowest can be lifted. This verse calls us to awaken from delusion and seek sanctuary in Divine remembrance before more lifetimes are wasted.
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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.