It is similar in syntax and structure, though its essential meaning will elude one not attuned to the spiritual experience and the idiom and phraseology of gurbani. Recited by the Sikhs as a part of their morning prayer, it is one of the easier texts to learn, in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sukhmani is a theological statement of the major tenets of Sikhism expressed in a devotional poetic form.

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.ДЄ page from the handwritten bir of Guru Granth Sahib by Pratap Singh Giani, located on the first floor of Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar. 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, GodвЂ™s succouring hand, the merit of devotion, of holy company and humility. One of the fundamental texts of the Sikh faith, the Sukhmani presents a complete scheme of the teachings of the Sikh faith. The Salok at the beginning of each Astpadi (canto) gives the gist of the 8 Pauris (stanzas) that follow this salok.

There is also the unity of theme: the perfection of man mentally. Each stanza has ten lines, which consist of five couplets. The composition consists of 24 Astpadis each of which begins with a Salok and is followed by 8 Pauris or stanzas.

According to this couplet, Sukhmani is the bringer of the bliss of the LordвЂ™s name it dwells in the hearts of those who love Him. ||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. The devotees' mind abide in bliss and calm peace. RahДќВo' translates to, 'Sukhmani: Peace & pure ambrosial Nectar are in God's Name. The couplet, 'Sukбє–manД« sukбє– amriб№Ї parabбє– nДќm. ( аЁ®аЁЈа©Ђ Sukh in Gurmukhi can also mean jewel, gem, precious stone. Sukh literally means peace or comfort and mani means mind or heart. The word Sukhmani is rendered into English as вЂњconsoler of the mind.вЂќ The entire poem has been translated into English more than once under some commonly preferred titles, ' Jewel of peace', вЂњPsalm of peaceвЂќ or вЂњSong of peaceвЂќ, signifying the soothing effect it has on the mind of the reader. This salok was thereupon repeated by Guru Arjan at the head of the seventeenth astpadi. Baba Sri Chand, out of humility, only recited the salok of Guru Nanak following the Mool Mantra in the Japji - вЂњaaad sach, jugad sach hai bhi sach, Nanak hosee bhi sachвЂќ - 'True in the beginning, True through the ages True even now Nanak say, Shall remain ever True' (SGGS p285). The Guru who had by that time completed sixteen astpadis, or cantos, requested that he continue the composition. 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 location is still marked on the bank of the Ramsar pool in the city of Amritsar, near the famous Golden Temple, the Harimandir Sahib. The physical site, where the Guru, around AD 1602-03, composed this composition was once enclosed by a dense wood. Surprisingly, many ardent Sikhs include the recitation of this Bani in their daily regimen of Nitnem. The sacred prayer is 35 pages long from page 262 to page 296 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is a lengthy composition, written by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. Sukhmani or Sukhmani Sahib is the title given to the Gurbani in raga Gauri Sukhmani in the Guru Granth Sahib which in turn appears in the major musical measure Raga Gauri. The Salok at the beginning of Sukhmani Sahib

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