Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 8, Pauri 2)
Sukhmani Sahib – Ashtpadi 8, Pauri 2
🔷 Introductory Note:
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in this pauri, continues his luminous portrayal of the Brahm Giani—the one who has realised the Divine. Through poetic comparisons and deeply insightful statements, the Guru illustrates the inward and outward purity, detachment, humility, and divine wisdom of such a soul. The Brahm Giani becomes the epitome of spiritual excellence and selflessness, made so only by God's own grace.
🏵 Verse 1
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी निर्मल ते निर्मला ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee nirmal ṫé nirmalaa.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is the purest of the pure.
🏵 Verse 2
Gurmukhi:
ਜੈਸੇ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਜਲਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): जैसे मैलु न लागै जला ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Jaisé mail na lāgai jalā.
English Translation: Just as filth does not cling to water.
🏵 Verse 3
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਹੋਇ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी कै मनि होइ प्रगास ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kai man ho▫e pargās.
English Translation: The mind of the God-conscious being is filled with light.
🏵 Verse 4
Gurmukhi:
ਜੈਸੇ ਧਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਆਕਾਸੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): जैसे धर ऊपरि आकाश ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Jaisé dhar ūpar ākās.
English Translation: Like the sky above the earth.
🏵 Verse 5
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੈ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਤ੍ਰੁ ਸਮਾਨਿ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी कै मित्र सत्रु समानि ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kai mitar satru samān.
English Translation: To the God-conscious being, friend and enemy are alike.
🏵 Verse 6
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਅਭਿਮਾਨ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी कै नाही अभिमान ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kai nāhī abhimān.
English Translation: The God-conscious being has no pride.
🏵 Verse 7
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਊਚ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी ऊच ते ऊचा ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee ūch ṫe ūchā.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is higher than the highest.
🏵 Verse 8
Gurmukhi:
ਮਨਿ ਅਪਨੈ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਨੀਚਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): मनि अपने है सभ ते नीचा ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Man apnai hai sabh te nīchā.
English Translation: Yet in his own mind, he is the lowest of all.
🏵 Verse 9
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਭਏ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी से जन भए ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee se jan bha▫e.
English Translation: Such are the beings who become God-conscious.
🏵 Verse 10
Gurmukhi:
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥੨॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): नानक जिन प्रभु आपि करेइ ॥२॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Nānak jin prabh āp kare▫i. ||2||
English Translation: O Nanak, they are so only because God Himself makes them so. ||2||
🪔 Essence of the Pauri:
This pauri eloquently reveals the characteristics of a Brahm Giani—one who has merged with Divine Consciousness. Their purity is absolute, their mind radiates spiritual light, and they are detached from worldly distinctions. They see no division between friend and foe, are devoid of ego, and though they stand above all in spiritual elevation, they remain deeply humble. Yet such a sublime state is not attained by effort alone—it is only by God's grace that one becomes a Brahm Giani.
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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.