Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 5, Pauri 6)

Fifth Ashtapadi – Pauri 6

Introduction

In this pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji delivers a powerful denunciation of a life lived without Naam (the Divine Name). Through rich analogies and metaphors, the Guru emphasizes that regardless of age, effort, or wealth, the absence of divine remembrance renders all actions fruitless. The Guru likens such a wasted life to scorched crops without rain, foul breath from a rotten body, or the hoarded, unused wealth of a miser. In contrast, those whose hearts are filled with the Lord's Name are celebrated and revered.

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Pauri 6 – Line-by-line

1. ਬਿਰਥੀ ਸਾਕਤ ਕੀ ਆਰਜਾ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: बिरथी साकत की आरजा ॥
   Birthee saakat kee aarjaa.
   Translation: The lifespan of the faithless cynic is utterly wasted.

2. ਸਾਚ ਬਿਨਾ ਕਹ ਹੋਵਤ ਸੂਚਾ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: साच बिना कह होवत सूचा ॥
   Saach binaa kah hovat soochaa.
   Translation: Without Truth, how can one be considered pure?

3. ਬਿਰਥਾ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਤਨੁ ਅੰਧ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: बिरथा नाम बिना तनु अंध ॥
   Birtha naam binaa tan anḋh.
   Translation: The body is blind and meaningless without the Divine Name.

4. ਮੁਖਿ ਆਵਤ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਰਗੰਧ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मुखि आवत ता कै दुर्गंध ॥
   Mukh aavat taa kai durganḋh.
   Translation: A foul stench issues from the mouth of such a person.

5. ਬਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਬ੍ਰਿਥਾ ਬਿਹਾਇ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: बिनु सिमरन दिनु रैनि ब्रिथा बिहाइ ॥
   Bin simran din rain britha bihaae.
   Translation: Without Simran (meditative remembrance), day and night are squandered.

6. ਮੇਘ ਬਿਨਾ ਜਿਉ ਖੇਤੀ ਜਾਇ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मेघ बिना जिउ खेती जाइ ॥
   Megh binaa jiou khetee jaae.
   Translation: Like crops ruined without rainfall.

7. ਗੋਬਿਦ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੇ ਸਭ ਕਾਮ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: गोबिद भजन बिनु ब्रिथे सभ काम ॥
   Gobind bhajan bin brithe sabh kaam.
   Translation: All deeds are futile without meditating on the Lord of the Universe.

8. ਜਿਉ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕੇ ਨਿਰਾਰਥ ਦਾਮ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: जिउ किरपन के निरारथ दाम ॥
   Jio kirpan ke niraarath daam.
   Translation: Like the hoarded but unused wealth of a miser.

9. ਧੰਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਬਸਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: धंन धंन ते जन जिह घटि बसिओ हरि नाउ ॥
   Dhan dhan te jan jih ghat basio har naaou.
   Translation: Blessed, blessed are those whose hearts are filled with the Lord's Name.

10. ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥੬॥
    हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: नानक ता कै बलि बलि जाउ ॥६॥
    Nanak taa kai bali bali jaau. ||6||
    Translation: Nanak is a sacrifice, a sacrifice unto them. ||6||

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Essence of Pauri 6

This pauri lays bare the tragic futility of a godless life. Guru Arjan Dev Ji uses vivid imagery to underscore that without Naam, even long life, wisdom, or action become hollow. The cynic, the saakat, is like parched land without rain or a miser whose wealth benefits none — his senses emit metaphorical decay. The Guru affirms that it is not external purity but the inner remembrance of God that sanctifies a being. Salvation and fulfillment come only through Simran. In contrast to the spiritual emptiness of the saakat, Guru Ji extols those who keep God in their hearts, offering them not just praise, but metaphorically his own spiritual allegiance and reverence.

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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.