Sukhmani Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib:

*Sukhmani Sahib is the name given to the Gurbani in the Guru Granth Sahib .
*Sukhmani Sahib is one of the fundamental texts of the Sikh faith.
*It is a treasure of all kind of peace, happiness and pleasure.
*Sukhmani Sahib appears in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scripture from page 262 to page 296 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It spans total 35 pages.



Meaning:

*The word Sukhmani literally means Treasure, jewel, heart/mind (Mani) of Peace (Sukh,comfort).

*Sukhmani Sahib has been translated into English more than once  and the word Sukhmani is rendered into English as “consoler of the mind.” Jewel of peace", “Psalm of peace” or “Song of peace”because it has soothing effect on mind.

*This set of Hymns or Bani is very popular among the Sikhs,it is an integral part of nitnem.

*The full recital takes about 90 minutes.

Composer:

*It is a lengthy composition, written by the fifth Sikh Guru Guru,Arjan Dev ji, the compiler of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

*The major religious ideas of Guru Arjan Dev ji are believed to have been treasured in it.

*Sukhmani is arranged in the Gauri rag of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. 

Significance:

Sukhmani Sahib says that the secret of one's peace of mind lies in constant practice of reciting and remembering the Name of God. 

History:

The physical site, where the Guru around AD 1602-03 composed this composition was once enclosed by a dense wood. The location is still marked on the bank of the Ramsar pool in the city of Amritsar, near the famous Golden Temple the Harimandir Sahib.

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 this Bani. The Guru who had by that time completed sixteen astpadis, or cantos, requested that he continue the composition. Baba Sri Chand, out of humility, only recited the salok of Guru Nanak following the Mool Mantra in the Japji — “aaad sach, jugad sach; hai bhi sach, Nanak hosee bhi sach” — "True in the beginning, True through the ages; True even now; Nanak say, Shall remain ever True" (Shri Guru Granth Sahib p285). This salok was thereupon repeated by Guru Arjan at the head of the seventeenth astpadi.

Structure:

*Sukhmani Sahib is a set of 192 hymns divided into 24 sections (ashtpadis /cantos).

*Each section, which is called an Ashtpadi(asht means 8), consists of 8 hymns per Ashtpadi. {i.e. 24 * 8=192}

*Sukhmani Sahib comprises of 24 astpadis /cantos.*Each astpadi comprises of 8 pauris/stanzas.

*Pauris are composed in chaupai.*Each ashtpadi is preceded with a Salok/Couplet.

*Each pauri consists of 8 couplet consisting of 10 lines /tuks.

*The first seven stanzas of aspadi explore the theme stated in the preceding saloks and the eighth stanza sums up the astpadi.

*This structure is maintained throughout the composition.

Contents:

Ashtpadis/Cantos 1--3: In the first three, the Guru mentions the advantages of repeating the Name of God.

Ashtpadis/Cantos4--11:In cantos four to eleven Guru Arjan expresses his thoughts on God-man.

Ashtpadis/Cantos12--20:Cantos twelve to twenty mention the process by which God’s grace can be won, that is, by self surrender or resignation to the Will of God. God is all truth. The Guru inspires the disciples with love of the Name, meditation.

Ashtpadis/Cantos21--24:In the last four cantos the Guru elucidates the Name. Name covers both the personal and absolute aspects of God. The Lord is present in His creation. In the absolute form God is not subject to matter, time or space, God transcends and unifies all.

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