Guru Arjan Dev's prayer with a healing touch

Sukhmani Sahib, a composition which is part of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Hailed as the ‘consoler of the mind’ and the ‘jewel of peace’, the ‘Sukhmani Sahib’ prayer is a priceless legacy bequeathed to us by Guru Arjan Dev.

Right from the time of its creation, the prayer has been recited worldwide by devotees, as a form of devotion to Guru Arjan Dev, thanksgiving and faith, and particularly as an invocation for health and well-being.

Apparently, the Guru wrote the prayer as a healing and calminginfluence, in response to myriad circumstances around him. The immediate trigger was a devotee’s physical pain and mental anguish. And the Guru’s response, Sukhmani Sahib prayer, is said to have had an instantaneous and miraculous effect on the devotee. His health and mental peace were restored.

From that moment on, Sukhmani Sahib’s phenomenal positive powers were recognised. Throughout the prayer, the Guru is omnipresent. He pours into this composition, his very spirit, which is peace itself. ‘Ih phal tis jan kai mukh bhane. Gur Nanak nam bachan man sune’ – these blessings come to one who, through Guru Nanak, chants the naam with his mouth, and hears the words with his ears.

For millions, the prayer is a focused spiritual journey and powerful prescription for peace, calm and bliss. The entirejourney is undertaken with the Guru himself being the guide, mentor, and benefactor.

‘Sukh’ denotes comfort and peace, and ‘mani’ is the mind. Reciting the prayer soothes tired nerves and rejuvenates the mind and soul. Removing all sorrows, it dispels pain and anguish through sincere remembrance of God, making us physically healthy and morally strong. It engenders in us inner strength to devote ourselves to the greater public good and develop the strength to overcome worldly problems.

‘Sabh te uch ta ki sobha bani’ – His glory becomes the highest of all. Nanak in gun nam Sukhmani’ – O Nanak, for these virtues, this is named Sukhmani.

Above all, this prayer of peace helps one become a better person. It enables one to reach a high spiritual state through meditation. Most significantly,it is the path to self-realisation, teaching us how to lead our lives and reach God through acts of charity, prayer, and love. This is its core essence.

Alifetime spent without meditating on God is a wasted one. Entrapped by wealth, we devote ourselves to the pursuit of greed and wealth accumulation, not realising that death will inevitably snatch it all away. Prayer makes us ‘human’. Sukhmani Sahib makes us realise that everything follows God’s order.

In this poem, Guru Arjan Dev has imparted a deep understanding of the world. Espoused in the prayer are several key issues, such as faith, acceptance, trust, kindness, humility, tolerance, and forgiveness.

Despite going through great suffering at the hands of his enemies, the Guru only said: ‘Tera keeta meetha laage’ – your doings are sweet to me. While healing and protecting, Sukhmani Sahib also adds ‘sweetness’ to devotees’ lives.