Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 4, Pauri 8)

Introduction to the Eighth Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi

This final pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib serves as a sublime culmination of prayerful devotion and deep theological reflection. Guru Arjan Dev Ji adopts the voice of the humble seeker who offers everything — body, mind, and soul — to the Supreme Lord. This pauri emphasises total surrender to Waheguru, who is the ultimate sustainer, parent, and the unknowable force behind all creation. It beautifully conveys how all beings, objects, and energies are under His command and upheld by His will alone. The devotee, recognising this, offers his eternal loyalty, declaring himself forever a sacrifice unto the Almighty.

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Eighth Pauri of the Fourth Ashtapadi

1. ਤੂ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਤੁਮ ਪਹਿ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: तू ठाकुरु तुम पहि अरदासि
   English Transliteration: Ṫoo ṯʰaakur ṯum pėh arḋaas
   Translation: You are our Lord and Master; to You, I offer this prayer.

2. ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: जीउ पिंडु सभु तेरी रासि
   English Transliteration: Jee▫o pind sabʰ ṯéree raas
   Translation: This body and soul are all Your property.

3. ਤੁਮ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਹਮ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਤੇਰੇ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: तुम मात पिता हम बारिक तेरे
   English Transliteration: Ṫum maaṯ piṯaa ham baarik ṯéré
   Translation: You are our mother and father; we are Your children.

4. ਤੁਮਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਮਹਿ ਸੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: तुमरी क्रिपा महि सूख घनेरे
   English Transliteration: Ṫumree kirpaa mėh sookʰ gʰanéré
   Translation: In Your Grace, there are so many joys!

5. ਕੋਇ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਤੁਮਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: कोइ न जानै तुमरा अंतु
   English Transliteration: Ko▫é na jaanæ ṯumraa anṫ
   Translation: No one knows Your limits.

6. ਊਚੇ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ਭਗਵੰਤ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: ऊचे ते ऊचा भगवंत
   English Transliteration: Ooché ṯé oochaa bʰagvanṫ
   Translation: O Highest of the High, Most Generous God,

7. ਸਗਲ ਸਮਗ੍ਰੀ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਸੂਤ੍ਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: सकल समग्री तुमरै सूत्रि धारी
   English Transliteration: Sagal samagree ṯumræ suṫir ḋʰaaree
   Translation: The whole creation is strung on Your thread.

8. ਤੁਮ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਆਗਿਆਕਾਰੀ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: तुम ते होइ सु आगिआकारी
   English Transliteration: Ṫum ṯé ho▫é so aagi▫aakaaree
   Translation: That which has come from You is under Your Command.

9. ਤੁਮਰੀ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: तुमरी गति मिति तुम ही जानी
   English Transliteration: Ṫumree gaṫ miṫ ṯum hee jaanee
   Translation: You alone know Your state and extent.

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਸਦਾ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀ ॥੮॥੪॥
    Hindi Transliteration: नानक दास सदा कुरबानी ॥८॥४॥
    English Transliteration: Naanak ḋaas saḋaa kurbaanee
    Translation: Nanak, Your slave, is forever a sacrifice. ||8||4||

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Essence

This pauri is a profound devotional declaration of self-surrender before the Divine. It reflects an elevated state of spiritual humility where the devotee no longer claims ownership of the self — neither of body nor soul — but attributes all to the Lord. Guru Arjan Dev Ji acknowledges God as the universal parent, the unseen sustainer of all that exists, and the origin and end of every soul’s journey. The Lord’s majesty is unmeasurable, His design unknowable. All things move by His command, and everything resides upon the thread of His will. The pauri concludes with Guru Nanak's voice, through Guru Arjan Dev Ji, offering complete submission — not just reverence but eternal self-sacrifice — as the truest form of devotion.

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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.