Sukhmani Sahib (Ashtpadi , Pauri 5)

Fifth Ashtapadi – Pauri 5

Introduction

This pauri builds upon the spiritual theme of renunciation of falsehood. Guru Arjan Dev Ji critiques the misuse of the senses and the body when they become instruments of vice. Instead of serving righteousness, the eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, and even the mind fall prey to illusion and corruption. Yet, there is redemption: by understanding divine wisdom and chanting the Name of the Lord, the body becomes truly fruitful.

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Pauri 5 – Line-by-line

1. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਸ੍ਰਵਨ ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸੁਨਹਿ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ स्रवन पर निंदा सुनहि ॥
   Mithiaa sravan par nindaa sunah.
   Translation: False are the ears that listen to the slander of others.

2. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਹਸਤ ਪਰ ਦਰਬ ਕਉ ਹਿਰਹਿ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ हसत पर दरब कउ हिरहि ॥
   Mithiaa hasat par darab kau hireh.
   Translation: False are the hands that steal the wealth of others.

3. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਪੇਖਤ ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਰੂਪਾਦ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ नेत्र पेखत पर त्रिअ रूपाद ॥
   Mithiaa netr pekhat par triya roopaad.
   Translation: False are the eyes that gaze lustfully at the beauty of another’s wife.

4. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਰਸਨਾ ਭੋਜਨ ਅਨ ਸ੍ਵਾਦ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ रसना भोजन अन स्वाद ॥
   Mithiaa rasnaa bhojan an swaad.
   Translation: False is the tongue that delights only in the taste of fine foods.

5. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਚਰਨ ਪਰ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਕਉ ਧਾਵਹਿ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ चरन पर विकार कउ धावहि ॥
   Mithiaa charan par bikaar kau dhaaveh.
   Translation: False are the feet that run to commit sinful acts.

6. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮਨ ਪਰ ਲੋਭ ਲੁਭਾਵਹਿ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ मन पर लोभ लुभावहि ॥
   Mithiaa man par lobh lubhaaveh.
   Translation: False is the mind that is enticed by the greed for others’ wealth.

7. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਤਨ ਨਹੀ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰਾ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ तन नही परउपकारा ॥
   Mithiaa tan nahee par-upkaaraa.
   Translation: False is the body that does no good for others.

8. ਮਿਥਿਆ ਬਾਸੁ ਲੇਤ ਬਿਕਾਰਾ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: मिथिआ बासु लेत बिकारा ॥
   Mithiaa baas let bikaaraa.
   Translation: False is the nose that delights in corrupt fragrances (worldly allurements).

9. ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਸਭ ਭਏ ॥
   हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: बिनु बूझे मिथिआ सभ भए ॥
   Bin boojhe mithiaa sabh bhae.
   Translation: Without spiritual understanding, all is false.

10. ਸਫਲ ਦੇਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਲਏ ॥੫॥
    हिंदी लिप्यंतरण: सफल देह नानक हरि हरि नाम लए ॥५॥
    Safal deh Nanak har har naam lae. ||5||
    Translation: Fruitful is the body, O Nanak, that chants the Name of the Lord, Har Har. ||5||

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Essence of Pauri 5

In this striking pauri, Guru Arjan Dev Ji declares that when the senses are used in service of ego, lust, greed, and slander, they lose their truth. The Guru uses the refrain mithiaa (false) to expose the falsity of every sense organ when misused: ears that absorb slander, eyes that lust, tongues that indulge, feet that pursue sin, and hands that steal. Even the mind, if it succumbs to covetousness, is rendered false. This is a deep spiritual reminder that simply having a body does not make it worthy — only when each part is aligned with the Lord’s Name does it become safal (fruitful). The path to making the human form meaningful lies in divine understanding and remembrance of Hari, the Almighty Akal Purakh.

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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.