Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 9, Pauri 7)
Sukhmani Sahib – Ashtpadi 9, Pauri 7
🪶 Introduction
This final pauri of the ninth Ashtpadi defines the highest state of spiritual liberation — the condition of a Jivan Mukta, one who is freed from the bonds of life and death while still living in the world. Guru Arjan Dev Ji describes the inner state of such a being: one who has surrendered completely to the Will of the Lord, sees no duality in pain or pleasure, honour or dishonour, gold or dust. For such a liberated soul, the external world holds no sway; only the Divine Order (Hukam) governs his being. This pauri presents the model of the ideal detached and blissful spiritual state.
Verse-by-Verse Presentation
1. Gurmukhi
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਆਤਮ ਹਿਤਾਵੈ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
प्रभ की आगिआ आतम हितावै ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Prabh kee aagiaa aatam hitaavai.
English Translation
One who, in his soul, loves the Will of God,
2. Gurmukhi
ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸੋਊ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
जीवन मुकति सोऊ कहावै ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Jeevan mukat so-oo kahaavai.
English Translation
is said to be Jivan Mukta – liberated while still alive.
3. Gurmukhi
ਤੈਸਾ ਹਰਖੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੋਗੁ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
तैसा हरखु तैसा उसु सोगु ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Taisaa harakh taisaa us sog.
English Translation
As is joy, so is sorrow to him.
4. Gurmukhi
ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਤਹ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਓਗੁ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
सदा अनंदु तह नही बिओगु ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Sadaa anand tah nahee biog.
English Translation
He is in eternal bliss, and is never separated from God.
5. Gurmukhi
ਤੈਸਾ ਸੁਵਰਨੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਉਸੁ ਮਾਟੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
तैसा सुवरनु तैसी उसु माटी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Taisaa suvaran taisi us maatee.
English Translation
As is gold, so is dust to him.
6. Gurmukhi
ਤੈਸਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਟੀ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
तैसा अमृतु तैसी बिखु खाटी ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Taisaa amrit taisi bikh khaatee.
English Translation
As is ambrosial nectar, so is bitter poison to him.
7. Gurmukhi
ਤੈਸਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
तैसा मानु तैसा अभिमानु ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Taisaa maan taisaa abhimaan.
English Translation
As is honour, so is dishonour to him.
8. Gurmukhi
ਤੈਸਾ ਰੰਕੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਰਾਜਾਨੁ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
तैसा रंकु तैसा राजानु ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Taisaa rank taisaa raajaan.
English Translation
As is the beggar, so is the king.
9. Gurmukhi
ਜੋ ਵਰਤਾਏ ਸਾਈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
जो वरताए साई जुगति ॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Jo vartaae saa-ee jugat.
English Translation
Whatever God ordains — that is his way.
10. Gurmukhi
ਨਾਨਕ ਓਹੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੭॥
Hindi (Devanagari)
नानक ओहु पुरखु कहीऐ जीवन मुकति ॥७॥
English (Italicised Transliteration)
Nanak oh purakh kaheeai jeevan mukat. ||7||
English Translation
O Nanak! That person is known as Jivan Mukta. ||7||
🌸 Essence of the Pauri
In this profound pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji defines the rare spiritual stature of a Jivan Mukta — one who lives amidst the world yet remains untouched by it. Such a being is completely aligned with Divine Will and has transcended dualities: happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, gold and dust, praise and insult hold no difference to him. This internal state of equanimity is not detachment out of apathy but rooted in complete absorption in the Divine. His actions reflect surrender, and his mind remains in the eternal bliss of God’s remembrance. The Jivan Mukta becomes a beacon of spiritual wisdom while embodying true freedom — here and now.
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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.
ਜਪ੍ਉ ਜਿਨ੍ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇਵ ਗੁਰੂ ਫਿਰ ਸੰਕਟ ਜੋਨਿ ਗਰਭ ਨ ਆਯਉ ।।
ਭਨਿ ਮਥੁਰਾ ਕਛੁ ਭੇਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਅਰਜੁਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਤਖ ਹਰਿ