Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 5 Pauri 3)

Introduction to the Third Pauri of the Fifth Ashtapadi

This pauri offers a piercing insight into the fleeting and illusory nature of worldly attachments—symbolized by Maya. Guru Arjan Dev Ji warns against entangling oneself in impermanent pleasures and relationships, likening them to the transient shade of a tree or affection for a passing traveler. The Guru’s message is to redirect the heart from illusion to divine truth, from worldly entanglements to the eternal love of the Lord’s Name. Only this divine attachment offers lasting peace and salvation.

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Third Pauri of the Fifth Ashtapadi

1. ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਤਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਹੇਤ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: अनिक भाति माइआ के हेत
   Anik bʰaaṫ maa▫i▫aa ké héṫ
   Translation: The many forms of attachment to Maya,

2. ਸਰਪਰ ਹੋਵਤ ਜਾਨੁ ਅਨੇਤ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: सरपर होवत जानु अनेत
   Sarpar hovaṫ jaan anéṫ
   Translation: shall surely pass away – know that they are transitory.

3. ਬਿਰਖ ਕੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਸਿਉ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: बिरख की छाइआ सिउ रंगु लावै
   Birakʰ kee chʰaa▫i▫aa si▫o rang laavæ
   Translation: People fall in love with the shade of a tree,

4. ਓਹ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਉਹੁ ਮਨਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਵੈ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: ओह बिनसै उहु मनि पछुतावै
   Oh binsæ uho man pachʰuṫaavæ
   Translation: and when it passes away, they regret it in their minds.

5. ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਚਾਲਨਹਾਰੁ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: जो दीसै सो चालनहारु
   Jo ḋeesæ so chaalanhaar
   Translation: Whatever is seen, shall pass away;

6. ਲਪਟਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਤਹ ਅੰਧ ਅੰਧਾਰੁ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: लपटि रहिओ तह अंध अंधारु
   Lapat rahi▫o ṫah anḋʰ anḋʰaar
   Translation: and yet, the blindest of the blind cling to it.

7. ਬਟਾਊ ਸਿਉ ਜੋ ਲਾਵੈ ਨੇਹ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: बटाऊ सिउ जो लावै नेह
   Bataa▫oo si▫o jo laavæ néh
   Translation: One who gives her love to a passing traveler –

8. ਤਾ ਕਉ ਹਾਥਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਕੇਹ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: ता कउ हाथि न आवै केह
   Ṫaa ka▫o haaṫʰ na aavæ kéh
   Translation: nothing shall come into her hands in this way.

9. ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਸੁਖਦਾਈ ॥
   Hindi Transliteration: मन हरि के नाम की प्रीति सुखदाई
   Man har ké naam kee pareeṫ sukʰ▫ḋaa▫ee
   Translation: O mind, the love of the Name of the Lord bestows peace.

10. ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪਿ ਲਏ ਲਾਈ ॥੩॥
    Hindi Transliteration: करि किरपा नानक आपि लए लाई ॥३॥
    Kar kirpaa Naanak aap la▫é laa▫ee. ||3||
    Translation: O Nanak! The Lord, in His Mercy, unites us with Himself. ||3||

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Essence

This pauri teaches that all worldly attachments—though myriad in form—are ultimately perishable and deceptive. Just like shade that disappears with time, or a traveler who never returns, these fascinations leave the soul in regret. Guru Arjan Dev Ji emphasizes that the spiritually blind cling to the visible world, mistaking it for permanence. He lovingly instructs the mind to instead seek the eternal joy found in the remembrance of God's Name. This divine love is the only bond that brings true comfort—and only by God's grace can it be realized.

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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.