| 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 ofPunjabi andBraj |
| Period | ca.1602 |
| Part of a series on the |
| Gurū Granth Sahib ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ |
|---|
_beautifully_decorated_with_gold_and_floral_arabesques_01.jpg) |
| Popular compositions |
| Other compositions |
| Various aspects |
| Poetical metres, modes, measures, and rhythms |
Sukhmani Sahib (Punjabi:ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ), known under the title ofGauri Sukhmani in the scripture (named after theGauri raga musical measure it belongs to),[1] is usually translated to meanPrayer of Peace[2] is a set of 192padas (stanzas of 10 hymns)[3] present in the holyGuru Granth Sahib, the main scripture and living Guru ofSikhism fromAng 262 toAng 296 (about 35 count). ThisGurbani text (writing of theGurus) was written by the 5th Guru,Guru Arjan (1563–1606) atAmritsar in around 1602.[4] Guru Arjan first recited the bani at Gurdwara Barth Sahib in theGurdaspur district ofPunjab, India.
The composition deals with such topics such asSimran (general meditation that leads to merging with God)[5] andNam Japna (meditation ofNaam), the greatness ofSaints andSadh Sangat (holy congregation),[6] true devotion,[7] doing good deeds,[8] the nature of the mind, the badness of slandering,[9] concepts relating toBrahmvidya,Advaita,Sargun and Nirgun, materialism and death,Hukam, and other similar topics.[10]
.jpg)
Sukhmani Sahib is frequently recited by Sikhs is one of the popularBanis (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 theGurbani of Sukhmani Sahib is believed to bring peace to one's mind[13] and aid help remembering God constantly.
Sukhmani Sahib belongs to theRaagGauri withGauri meaning pure.[14] The termSukhmani comprises two words:Sukh (peace) andMani (the treasure or jewel of the mind).[15] It typically is found inGutka form (small prayer book).
Sukhmani Sahib is divided into 24Ashtpadi (Section). TheAshtpada is theSanskrit word for a verse that has eight (Asht)metrical feet (pādi). Before the Ashtpadi begins there is aSalok of two lines and then eachAshtpadi contains eightpadas of 10 hymns perpada.[16]
Sukhmani Sahib was composed byGuru Arjan around 1602 before he compiled theAdi Granth. The Guru compiled it at RamsarSarovar (Sacred pool), Amritsar which at the time was in thick woods.[17]
It is believedSri Chand came toAmritsar 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 theSalok from theMul Mantar byGuru Nanak, his father. Therefore this Salok was put by the Guru in the start of the 17 canto.[18]
Prominent Sikh saintBaba Nand Singh would tell Sikhs to recite Sukhmani Sahib twice daily.[19]
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){{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title= (help){{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)
