Shlokas from Sukhamani sahibji Translated in English

The scripture Sri Sukhamani Sahibji is a gift to Sikhism from Shree Guru Arjan Devji. The Guru has explained each shloka through eight verses of ten lines each using the shloka as the heading of that poetic essay on that topic. He has explained the importance and qualities of a guru, brahma giani and sant as he hails all of them along with the Lord not forgetting his own satguru Shree Nanak Devji whom he keeps a company in every shloka. Humble addition to the shloka’s by way of the explanation comes through inspiration to Manmohan Kaushal and the work is meant for the benefit of all whom the Almighty favours.

                     1 On*kaar Satigur Prasadi

Aadi guruay namah

Jugaadi guruay namah

Satiguruay namah

Shree gurudevay namah ………………………….1

This is the main thought that the singular Almighty’s name can be realized with the blessings of the Eternal Guru only.

Homage and salutations are paid to the Initial Guru (Maybe the Almighty), the later Guru at the beginning of the Yuga (An ancient chronological Division), the Eternal Guru and the Guru nearest to existence.

Sukhamanee sukha amrit prabh naam

Bhagat janaa ke man Bisraam

(This may be a statement of the aim of this composition.) SukhamaNee is pure comfort and provides the nectar of God’s name from which the devotees get peace in their minds. It is advised to repeat these lines with each shloka.)

Deena darad dukha bhanjanaa

Ghat ghat naatha anaatha;

SaraNa tumhaaree aaiyo

Nanak ke prabh saath …………………..,………….2

O remover of pain and discomfort of the helpless, present in each the powerful or the helpless [Alterntively: the Overlord of all, above whom is none), I come to you for shelter with Nanak .

Bahu saasatra bahu simriti

Pekhe sarba dhadhol;

Poojasi naahi hari hare

Naanaka naam amol…………………………………3

I have seen and searched in all the various scriptures called Shaastra and Smriti; but they do not worship the Almighty [ Hari and Hara are names given to God in prehistoric days]. O Naanaka, His name is priceless.

Nirguniyaar iyaaniaa

So prabhu sadaa samaal;

Jin keeyaa tin cheet rakh

Nanak nibahi naal…………………………………..4

That Almighty protects all those who are ignorant and without any virtue.

Always remember Him, the Creator. O Naanaka, with Him you can always live.

Denahaar prabh chhoda kai

Laagahi aan suaai;

Nanak kahoo na seejhayi

Binu naavai pat jaayi……………………………….5

Neglecting God who always gives, if some one (Naanaka) goes to (begs from) others, he does not understand that he is trying to reach the sea shore without a boat.

Kaama krodha aur lobha moha

Binasi jaayi ahameva

Nanak prabha sarNaagati

Kari prasaad guru deva…………………………….6

If one gets surrendered to the Almighty with the blessings of a teacher, all the five vices of Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Ego are destroyed

Agam agaadha paarbrahma soi

Jo jo kahai so muktaa hoi

Suni  meetaa Nanak binvantaa

Saadh janaa kee acharaja kathaa………………7

O friend, listen to the surprising legends of hermits as told by Naanaka. A hermit is the Unreachable and Infinite God Himself. Whatever he says must happen.

Mani saachaa mukh saachaa soi

Avar na pekhai ekas bin koyee

Nanaka eh lachhaN brahmagianee hoi………..8

O Naanaka, the qualities of a Brahma Giaanee (One who knows God) are: True mind; True speech; and he sees nothing except God every where.

Uri dhaarai jo antari naamu

Saraba main* pekhai bhagwan

Nimakh nimakh thaakur namaskaari

Nanak ohu apras sagal nistaarai………………..9

O Naanak, the detached person, who holds the secret God’s name in his heart, sees God every where and salutes the Lord every second, uplifts all.

Ustati karahi aneka jana

Anta na paaraavaara

Nanak rachanaa prabhi rachee

Bahu bidhi anika prakaara……………………10

O Naanaka, Many people have praised the Lord, who has created infinite, and limitless creation having many kinds and varieties.

KaraN kaaraN prabhu eku hai

Doosara naahin* koi

Nanak tisa balihaariNai

Jali thali mahiala soi………………………….11

O Naanak, there is only one cause and action (Of all the universe) and there is none else. Hail to Him who is present on the earth as well as under water (Every where)!

Sukhee basai masakeenyaa

Aapu nivaara tale

Bade bade ahan*kaaryaa

Nanak garaba gale………………………….12

O Naanak, the humble one lives peacefully under his own shelter; many proud ones found their pride melted down

San*ta sarana jo jana parai

So jana udharanahaara

San*t kee nindaa Nanakaa

Bahuri bahuri avtaara……………………..13

O Naanaka, the one who surrenders to a saint will be uplifted (to salvation/ Mukti); speaking ill of a saint leads to repeated births.

Tajahu sayaanapa surjanahu

Simrahu hari hari raai

Eka aasa hari mana rakhahu

Naanaka dookh bharamu bhou jaai        14

O good people, shun all wisdom and remember the Almighty always. O Naanaka, keep expectations from only one (The Almighty) so that all uncomfort, doubts and fear are gone.

Saraba kalaa bharpoora prabha

Birathaa jaananahaar

Jaa kai simarana udhariai

Naanaka tisu balihaara…………….15

Only the Almighty is complete with all knowledge. Those, who are known as knowledgeable, are just worthless. O Naanaka, I can die for the One (Almighty) whose mere remembrance is uplifting.

Roopu na rekha na ranga kichhu

Trihu guNa te prabha bhin*n

Tisahi bujhaaye naanakaa

Jisa hovai suprasan*n…………….16

O Naanaka, The Almighty has no form, structure or colour. He is beyond the three moods (Satoguna,Rajoguna,Tamoguna) of natue. He blesses with His knowledge only those people with whom He is pleased.

Aadi sachu jugaadi sachu

Hai bhi sachu

Naanaka hosi bhi sachu………….17

O Naanaka! The Creator and His creation have been truly there eternally. They were there; they are there and they will be there for ever

Sati purukhu jin jaanyaa

Satiguru tis kaa naao

Tis kai sang sikhu udharai

Naanaka hari guna gaao…………..18

The one who has realized The Almighty, is the Eternal Guru ( ATeacher from whom people always learn something). His student is always uplifted. Praise The Almighty, O Naanaka!

Saath na chaalai binu bhajan

Bikhiaa sagalee chhaaru

Hari hari naamu kamaavnaa

Naanaka ihu dhanu saaru…………..19

O Naanaka! Nothing goes along with the individual. All material is just ashes. The real wealth to be earned is the Name Of God (Carried with the soul and senses).

Phirataa phirataa prabh aayaa

Paryaa tou sarnaai

Naanaka kee prabh benatee

Apanee bhagatee laayi……………..20

O Almighty! I have come to you for shelter after wandering here and there. Now I pray that I may be blessed with Devotion to Yourself.

Sarguna nirguna nirankaara

Sun*n samaadhee aapi

Aapana keeyaa naanakaa

Aape hee phiri jaapi………………..21

The Almighty is without moods or forms, completely detached from anything else. O Naanaka! He is manifest in His creation and worships Himself through His creation.

Jeeya jant ke thaakuraa

Aape vartaNhaara

Naanaka eko pasaryaa

D*oojaa kaha d*ristaara……………22

O Lord of all the creatures, You are transforming Yourself. To Naanaka all the creation is your manifestation. There’s none else to see all this.

Giaan an*janu guri d*iyaa Agyaana andhera binaasu

Hari kirpaa te santa bhetiaa

Naanaka mani pargaasu……………..23

With the kindness of The Almighty, Naanaka met a saint and the darkness of ignorance was removed with the eye-opening knowledge given by that Guru so that the mind was lit up with true knowledge.

Pooraa prabha aaraadhiyaa

Pooraa jaa kaa naao

Naanaka pooraa paayaa

Poore ke gun gaao………………….24

(This sounds like the usual Sanskrit shloka recited at the end of every pooja or yajna,’ Om Poornamadah poornamidam….. ‘)

Naanaka has found The Almighty perfect every way. He has worshipped that Perfect One perfectly. Let us sing the praises of the Perfect Almighty.

Credit: Late Shri Manmohan Kaushal- 23Jul2010