Sukhmani Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib (Punjabi: ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ), known under the title of Gauri Sukhmani in the scripture (named after the Gauri raga musical measure it belongs to),^[1] is usually translated to mean Prayer of Peace^[2] is a set of 192 padas (stanzas of 10 hymns)^[3] present in the holy Guru Granth Sahib, the main scripture and living Guru of Sikhism from Ang 262 to Ang 296 (about 35 count). This Gurbani text (writing of the Gurus) was written by the 5th Guru, Guru Arjan (1563–1606) at Amritsar in around 1602.^[4] Guru Arjan first recited the bani at Gurdwara Barth Sahib in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India.

Sukhmani Sahib ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ
Guru Granth Sahib
Sukhmani Sahib chapter from an illuminated Guru Granth Sahib manuscript housed at Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Information
Religion	Sikhism
Author	Guru Arjan
Language	Mix of Punjabi and Braj
Period	ca.1602

Content

The composition deals with such topics such as Simran (general meditation that leads to merging with God)^[5] and Nam Japna (meditation of Naam), the greatness of Saints and Sadh Sangat (holy congregation),^[6] true devotion,^[7] doing good deeds,^[8] the nature of the mind, the badness of slandering,^[9] concepts relating to Brahmvidya, Advaita, Sargun and Nirgun, materialism and death, Hukam, and other similar topics.^[10]

Recitation

Sukhmani Sahib being recited as a group at Gurdwara Ameerpet, Hyderabad, India.

Folio containing part of the Sukhmani Sahib composition within a historical Panj Granthi manuscript

Sukhmani Sahib is frequently recited by Sikhs is one of the popular Banis (compositions of the Guru).^[11] It can be done individually or as a group usually in either a place of worship (Gurdwara) or at home. Reciting the entire Sukhmani Sahib takes about 60^[12] to 90 minutes, and is sometimes undertaken by everyone in a smaller congregation with turn by turn reading. Reciting the Gurbani of Sukhmani Sahib is believed to bring peace to one's mind^[13] and aid help remembering God constantly.

Form

Sukhmani Sahib belongs to the Raag Gauri with Gauri meaning pure.^[14] The term Sukhmani comprises two words: Sukh (peace) and Mani (the treasure or jewel of the mind).^[15] It typically is found in Gutka form (small prayer book).

Structure

Sukhmani Sahib is divided into 24 Ashtpadi (Section). The Ashtpada is the Sanskrit word for a verse that has eight (Asht) metrical feet (pādi). Before the Ashtpadi begins there is a Salok of two lines and then each Ashtpadi contains eight padas of 10 hymns per pada.^[16]

History

Mural from Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib of Sri Chand meeting Guru Arjan and Bhai Gurdas at Amritsar whilst the Sukhmani Sahib is being composed. The mural has been whitewashed and is no longer extant

Sukhmani Sahib was composed by Guru Arjan around 1602 before he compiled the Adi Granth. The Guru compiled it at Ramsar Sarovar (Sacred pool), Amritsar which at the time was in thick woods.^[17]

It is believed Sri Chand came to Amritsar to meet Guru Arjan and he engaged in the creation of Sukhmani. The Guru had written 16 canto and requested Sri Chand to finish the composition. Sri Chand out of humility only recited the Salok from the Mul Mantar by Guru Nanak, his father. Therefore this Salok was put by the Guru in the start of the 17 canto.^[18]

Prominent Sikh saint Baba Nand Singh would tell Sikhs to recite Sukhmani Sahib twice daily.^[19]

References

1. The encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 4. Harbans Singh. Patiala: Punjabi University. 1992–1998. pp. 265–65. ISBN 0-8364-2883-8. OCLC 29703420. It is said that Baba Sri Chand, elder son of Guru Nanak and founder of the Udasi order, came to Amritsar to meet Guru Arjan, then engaged in composing the poem. The Guru who had by that time completed sixteen astpadis, or cantos, requested him to continue the composition. Baba Sri Chand, out of humility, only recited the Sloka of Guru Nanak following the Mul Mantra in the Japu- "adi sachu jugadi sachu hai bhi sach Nanak hosi bhi sachu"- In the beginning, in the primal time was He the Eternal Reality; in the present is He the Eternal Reality. To eternity shall He the Reality abide (GG, 285). This sloka was thereupon repeated by Guru Arjan at the head of the seventeenth astpadi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
2. N., Muthumohan (2003). "Reading Sukhmani Sahib". Abstracts of Sikh Studies. 5: 59.
3. Singh, H. S. (2005). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries) (Second ed.). New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-8170103011.
4. Singh, Harbans (1998). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism: S-Z. Patiala: Punjab University. p. 265. ISBN 9788173805301.
5. Anand, Balwant (1979). Guru Tegh Bahadur, A Biography. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers. p. 229.
6. Dhillon, Dalbir (1988). Sikhism Origin and Development. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distribution. p. 201.
7. Kohli, Surinder. The Sikh and Sikhism. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 76.
8. Singh, Indrajit (2008-10-20). Favourite Heroes and Holy People. A&C Black. p. 200. ISBN 9781441120151.
9. Sikh Dharma Brotherhood. Sikh Dharma Brotherhood, Incorporated. 1975. p. xv.
10. Chauhan, G.S. (2005). Shri Guru Nanak Dev's Japji. New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. p. 37. ISBN 9788170103141.
11. Jean, Holm; Bowker, John (1994). Worship. A&C Black. p. 149. ISBN 9781855671119.
12. The Sikh Review, Sikh Cultural Centre. 29: 13. 1981. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
13. Sethi, Manmohan (2014). Sukhmani Sahib: English Translation. Sukan Sethi. ISBN 9781502237149.
14. Sharma, Arvind (2002). Methodology in Religious Studies: The Interface with Women's Studies. SUNY Press. p. 9. ISBN 9780791453476.
15. Journal of Religious Studies Punjabi University. Dept. Of Religious Studies. 8: 118. 1980. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
16. "Semiotics of Simran in Sukhmani Sahib". Journal of Sikh Studies, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University. 30: 95. 2006.
17. Singh, Harbans (1998). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism: S-Z. Patiala: Punjab University. p. 265. ISBN 9788173805301.
18. "Sikh Encyclopedia". 19 December 2000.
19. Singh, Partap (1993). Eternal Glory of Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj of Kaleran, Part 1. Reliance Publishing House. p. 39. ISBN 978-81-85972-48-0.

External links

• Sukhmani Sahib