Sukhmani Sahib - A Journey for the Soul

Sukhmani or Sukhmani Sahib is the title given to the Gurbani in raga Gauri Sukhmaniin the Guru Granth Sahib which in turn appears in the major musical measure Raga Gauri. It is a lengthy composition, written by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. The sacred prayer is 35 pages long from page 262 to page 296 of the Guru Granth Sahib..

The word Sukhmani is rendered into English as “consoler of the mind.” The entire poem has been translated into English more than once under some commonly preferred titles, "Jewel of peace", “Psalm of peace” or “Song of peace”, signifying the soothing effect it has on the mind of the reader. Sukh literally means peace or comfort and mani means mind or heart. ( ਭਣੀ Sukh in

Gurmukhi can also mean jewel, gem, precious stone.).

The couplet, "Sukẖmanī sukẖ amriṯ parabẖ nĝm. Bẖagaṯ janĝ kai man bisrĝm. Rahĝo" translates to, "Sukhmani: Peace & pure ambrosial Nectar are in God's Name. The devotees' mind abide in bliss and calm peace. ||Pause||" constituting rahau, the only one in the composition, which means pause or rest and which is an equivalent of the Hebrew word selah occurring in the Psalms, sums up the most characteristic feature of this bani. According to this couplet, Sukhmani is the bringer of the bliss of the Lord‟s name; it dwells in the hearts of those who love Him.

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.