Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi 9, Salok, Pauri 1)
🔷 Introductory Note:
After the profound praise of the Brahm Giani in Ashtpadi 8, Guru Arjan Dev Ji now shifts focus to the disciplined, deeply ethical life of a spiritually elevated individual—one who is inwardly pure and outwardly restrained. This Ashtpadi introduces the rare saint who, though living in the world, is untouched by its moral pollution—referred to as "Aparas" (ਅਪਰਸु) or the untouchable in the spiritual sense. This is not about caste or status, but about a soul who resists temptation, avoids slander, controls desires, and walks with unshakable humility and divine longing. This saint is one in millions.
🔶 Salok (Introductory Couplet)
🏵 Verse 1
Gurmukhi:
ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ਜੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): उरि धारै जो अंतरि नामु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Ur ḍhārai jo anṫar nām.
English Translation: One who enshrines the Divine Name within the heart,
🏵 Verse 2
Gurmukhi:
ਸਰਬ ਮੈ ਪੇਖੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): सरब मै पेखै भगवानु ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Sarab mai pékʰai bhagvān.
English Translation: Who beholds God present in all,
🏵 Verse 3
Gurmukhi:
ਨਿਮਖ ਨਿਮਖ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੈ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): निमख निमख ठाकुर नमसकारै ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Nimakʰ nimakʰ ṯʰākur namaskāræ.
English Translation: Who bows to the Lord with every breath and moment—
🏵 Verse 4
Gurmukhi:
ਨਾਨਕ ਓਹੁ ਅਪਰਸੁ ਸਗਲ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੈ ॥੧॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): नानक ओहु अपरसु सगल निसतारै ॥१॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Nānak oh apras sagal nisṫāræ. ||1||
English Translation: O Nanak! That spiritually untouched one liberates all. ||1||
🔶 Pauri 1
🏵 Verse 1
Gurmukhi:
ਮਿਥਿਆ ਨਾਹੀ ਰਸਨਾ ਪਰਸ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): मिथिआ नाही रसना परस ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Miṫʰiā nāhī rasnā paras.
English Translation: Whose tongue never touches falsehood;
🏵 Verse 2
Gurmukhi:
ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਦਰਸ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): मन महि प्रीति निरंजन दरस ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Man meh prīt niranjan ḍaras.
English Translation: Whose mind is filled with love for the vision of the Pure Lord;
🏵 Verse 3
Gurmukhi:
ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਪੇਖੈ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): पर त्रिअ रूपु न पेखै नेत्र ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Par ṯari▫a roop na pékʰai néṫar.
English Translation: Whose eyes never glance upon another’s spouse lustfully;
🏵 Verse 4
Gurmukhi:
ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਟਹਲ ਸੰਤਸੰਗਿ ਹੇਤ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): साध की टहल संतसंगि हेत ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Sāḋh kī ṯahal saṫsang hēt.
English Translation: Who lovingly serves the saints and cherishes holy company;
🏵 Verse 5
Gurmukhi:
ਕਰਨ ਨ ਸੁਨੈ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੀ ਨਿੰਦਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): करन न सुनै काहू की निंदा ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Karan na sunai kāhū kī ninḋā.
English Translation: Whose ears never hear slander of others;
🏵 Verse 6
Gurmukhi:
ਸਭ ਤੇ ਜਾਨੈ ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੰਦਾ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): सभ ते जानै आपस कउ मंदा ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Sabh ṯé jānai āpas ka▫o manḋā.
English Translation: Who considers themselves lower than all;
🏵 Verse 7
Gurmukhi:
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਪਰਹਰੈ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): गुर प्रसादि बिखिआ परहरै ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Gur prasād bikʰiā parharai.
English Translation: Who renounces corruption by the Guru’s grace;
🏵 Verse 8
Gurmukhi:
ਮਨ ਕੀ ਬਾਸਨਾ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਟਰੈ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): मन की बासना मन ते टरै ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Man kī bāsnā man ṯé ṯarē.
English Translation: Who drives away inner cravings from within;
🏵 Verse 9
Gurmukhi:
ਇੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਜਿਤ ਪੰਚ ਦੋਖ ਤੇ ਰਹਤ ॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): इंद्री जित पंच दोख ते रहत ॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Inḋrī jiṯ panch ḋokh ṯé rahat.
English Translation: Who conquers the senses and stays free from the five evils (lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego);
🏵 Verse 10
Gurmukhi:
ਨਾਨਕ ਕੋਟਿ ਮਧੇ ਕੋ ਐਸਾ ਅਪਰਸ ॥੧॥
Hindi Transliteration (Devanagari): नानक कोटि मधे को ऐसा अपरस ॥१॥
English Transliteration (Italicised): Nānak koṭ maḋhé ko aisā apras. ||1||
English Translation: O Nanak! Among millions, only one is such a touchless (untainted) saint. ||1||
🪔 Essence of the Pauri:
This opening pauri of Ashtpadi 9 reveals the practical traits of a true saint, described as Aparas—one who remains inwardly pure and untouched by worldly corruption. Such a soul does not lie, lust, slander, or boast. Their senses are disciplined, their mind anchored in the vision of God, and their actions guided by humility and grace. Through the Guru's blessing, they have renounced evil and conquered desire. In all ways, they are awake, active, yet unsullied. The Guru solemnly notes that such a soul is exceedingly rare—one in millions.
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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.