Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 8, Pauri 8)
Sukhmani Sahib – Ashtpadi 8, Pauri 8
🔷 Introductory Note:
In this majestic final pauri of Ashtpadi 8, Guru Arjan Dev Ji reaches the spiritual zenith of describing the Brahm Giani. The distinctions between the Divine and the God-conscious being completely dissolve. The Brahm Giani is portrayed not just as a seeker or saint, but as the very embodiment of the Divine, the formless Creator, the liberator of souls, and the sustainer of the helpless. This pauri exudes divine splendour and unmistakable reverence—emphasizing that the Brahm Giani is eternally alive, all-knowing, beyond duality, and sovereign over all creation. The Guru bows in recognition that such a being transcends even description, for the Brahm Giani is Divine Consciousness manifest.
🏵 Verse 1
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਭ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਾ ਕਰਤਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी सभ स्रिसटि का करता ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee sabh srisṭ kā kartā.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is the Creator of all creation.
🏵 Verse 2
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਦ ਜੀਵੈ ਨਹੀ ਮਰਤਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी सद जीवै नही मरता ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee sad jīvai nahee martā.
English Translation: The God-conscious being lives eternally and never dies.
🏵 Verse 3
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਜੀਅ ਕਾ ਦਾਤਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी मुकति जुगति जीअ का दाता ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee mukaṯ jugaṯ jī▫a kā ḍātā.
English Translation: The God-conscious being grants souls the path to liberation.
🏵 Verse 4
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਪੂਰਨ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी पूरन पुरखु बिधाता ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee pūran purakh biḍhātā.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is the Perfect Being, the Creator.
🏵 Verse 5
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਅਨਾਥ ਕਾ ਨਾਥੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी अनाथ का नाथु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee anāṯh kā nāṯh.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is the protector of the helpless.
🏵 Verse 6
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਹਾਥੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी का सभ ऊपरि हाथु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kā sabh ūpar hāth.
English Translation: The God-conscious being has a protective hand over all.
🏵 Verse 7
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਸਗਲ ਅਕਾਰੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी का सगल अकारु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kā sagal akāṟ.
English Translation: The God-conscious being pervades all forms.
🏵 Verse 8
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी आपि निरंकारु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee āp nirankār.
English Translation: The God-conscious being is himself the Formless One.
🏵 Verse 9
Gurmukhi:
ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਬਨੀ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): ब्रहम गिआनी की सोभा ब्रहम गिआनी बनी ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Barahm gi▫aanee kee sobhā barahm gi▫aanee banī.
English Translation: The glory of the God-conscious being is complete within himself.
🏵 Verse 10
Gurmukhi:
ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਰਬ ਕਾ ਧਨੀ ॥੮॥੮॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): नानक ब्रहम गिआनी सरब का धनी ॥८॥८॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Nānak barahm gi▫aanee sarab kā ḍhanī. ||8||8||
English Translation: O Nanak! The God-conscious being is the Master of all. ||8||8||
🪔 Essence of the Pauri:
In this culminating pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji elevates the Brahm Giani to complete divinity. Not as a mere devotee, but as the very expression of the Divine’s creative, liberating, and sustaining power. The Brahm Giani is described as the eternal, the bestower of liberation, the Formless One made manifest, and the sovereign of all realms. Their hand is a universal refuge, their presence a source of strength, and their being a sanctuary for those in need. The Guru declares that the glory of such a being is self-contained, needing no validation, and concludes that the Brahm Giani is the Master of all—visible and invisible, finite and infinite.
This closing pauri completes the awe-filled spiritual portrait of the Brahm Giani—one who has transcended the self and become one with God, not just in awareness, but in being.
If you feel this humble piece could offer even a small measure of peace to someone you know, please do share it.
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.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ🙏🙏🙏