SACRED SCRIPTURE SUKHMANI SAHIB
3,432 views · Published 19 February 2012 · 8:35 · Indexed 20 September 2026
SACRED SCRIPTURE SUKHMANI SAHIB Importance of Sukhmani There is a great significance of Sukhmani in the Sikh way of life and also enjoys reverence among the devotees of the Sikh faith. They used to recite it in the early hours of morning. Generally it takes more than half an hour to recite it. Any one who reads it with love, faith and devotion opens the doors of the treasure of eternal bliss and the very spring of peace, the reason being that the author (Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji) has poured into this composition his very spirit which was peace itself. This peace he had got from his constant communication with God. It is a treasure of all kind of happiness and pleasure. Message of the Bani in this Astpadi 1 sums up the benefits of contemplation and meditation. 2 tells us that "practising holiness" reduces man's propensity to sin. 3 the Guru states that any study of holy texts, the performance of austerities. etc cannot compare with reading or listening to the Sacred Word. 4 stresses the need for good behaviour. 5 we learn to thank God for all his various gifts and treasures which He gives us. 6 examples God's gifts to man: a healthy body, delicacies to eat, silks and jewels to wear and pleasant music to hear. 7 dwells on the attributes of the saints: 8 Similarly to 7, an appreciation of the God-oriented man- the Brahm-giani -is found here. 9 Guru Arjan defines the various types of holy persons like the Pandit, Vaishnav, Bhagwati, etc 10 This deals with the various types of people and substances, both good and bad. 11 The Guru tells us that the meek and the humble win God's love, while the haughty and the vain find no peace or joy. 12 dwells on the lot of the boastful and the arrogant. 13 tells us of the need to associate with saintly people and of avoiding their slander. 14 points out that mortals, by their very nature, are fickle and way-ward; so no reliance can be placed on them. 15 just as darkness is dispelled by light, and wilderness is illuminated by lightning, the Guru's instruction opens up the mind. 16 the Guru refers to God as the Director, Playwright and Actor in His own plays. 17 the Guru emphasizes the qualities of a true servant of God, namely obedience and humility. 18 stresses the characteristics of a Seeker of Truth. 19 Guru Arjan warns of the distractions of life. Why waste one's life amassing wealth? 20 deals with the need of efforts for spiritual progress. 21 the Guru tells of the pre-creation state. Before creation, there was a great void. 22 there is a short list of God's attributes. He is the fountain of generosity and goodness. 23 tells us of the omnipotence of God. He created the fabric of the universe; He controls the stellar bodies. 24 the benefits of the Sukhmani are expounded. The true devotee will be rewarded with health, culture, wisdom, peace, etc. One of the fundamental texts of the Sikh faith, the Sukhmani presents a complete scheme of the teachings of the Sikh faith. While each astpadi has a fresh vision to impart, a particular aspect of Truth to unfold, the whole text may be regarded as the reiteration of basic themes such as Divine immanence, Divine compassion, abundance of grace, God's succouring hand, the merit of devotion, of holy company and humility. With such reiteration, the composition as a whole has a remarkable gripping quality reinforced by the striking imagery which in stanza after stanza brings home to the seeker the truths he must own.
