Pouring Amrit of Hari’s Name in the Heart - Second Ashtpadi of Sukhmani Sahib

Pouring the Amrit of Hari’s Name in the Heart Over External Rituals

In the second Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev Ji profoundly articulates the central theme that pouring the amrit of Hari’s Name into one’s heart is supreme, surpassing all external rituals, practices, and ascetic endeavors. This theme is not just a fleeting idea but a recurring and dominant message across the Shalok and the verses that follow. The Guru emphasizes that the inner devotion and remembrance of the Lord’s Name are the true paths to spiritual fulfillment, while external rituals, no matter how rigorous, are ultimately limited in their efficacy.

The Limitations of External Rituals

The Ashtapadi begins with a shalok that sets the tone for the following verses by stating, “The many Shaastras and the many Simritees - I have seen and searched through them all. They are not equal to Har, Haray - O Nanak, the Lord's Invaluable Name” (Shalok). This line establishes the fundamental assertion that all religious texts and practices cannot compare to the spiritual power of meditating on the Lord’s Name.

As we delve into the Ashtapadi, the first stanza further elaborates on this idea. Guru Arjan Dev Ji lists various spiritual disciplines—chanting, meditation, the study of scriptures, and ascetic practices—but concludes with, “None of these are equal to the contemplation of the Name of the Lord” (Stanza 1). This underscores the notion that while these practices might hold some value, they are secondary to the profound act of immersing oneself in the Name of Hari.

The Power of Hari’s Name

In the second stanza, the Guru illustrates the futility of even the most extreme forms of asceticism and charity when compared to the divine Name. The verse states, “But even so, the filth of your ego shall not depart. There is nothing equal to the Name of the Lord” (Stanza 2). This line highlights that external actions, no matter how extreme or sacrificial, cannot cleanse the ego or lead to true spiritual purity without the remembrance of the Lord.

The third stanza continues this exploration by critiquing the superficiality of ritualistic purity. The Guru writes, “But the filth of your mind shall not leave your body...O my mind, the Glorious Praise of the Name of the Lord is the highest” (Stanza 3). Here, the Guru points out that physical cleanliness or ritualistic purity is meaningless if the mind is not purified by the amrit of Hari’s Name.

True Freedom and Salvation Through the Name

Moving forward, the fourth stanza discusses how even the cleverest and most disciplined efforts cannot lead to salvation without devotion to Hari’s Name. “All other efforts are punished by the Messenger of Death, which accepts nothing at all, except meditation on the Lord of the Universe” (Stanza 4). This line reinforces the idea that only through the Name of the Lord can one attain true freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

The fifth stanza offers practical guidance for those seeking the cardinal blessings of life. “If you wish to erase your sorrows, sing the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, within your heart” (Stanza 5). This verse directly connects the act of chanting the Lord’s Name with the alleviation of worldly suffering, suggesting that true solace lies not in material gains or external rites but in the internalized devotion to the Divine.

Humility and the Company of the Holy

In the sixth stanza, humility is highlighted as a key component of spiritual growth, with the Name of the Lord being the ultimate source of enlightenment. “Among all persons, the supreme person is the one who gives up his egotistical pride in the Company of the Holy” (Stanza 6). The Guru implies that the realization of Hari’s Name in one’s heart is the highest state of being, achievable through humility and the company of those who are devoted to the Divine.

The seventh stanza further emphasizes the divine provision of all needs through the Lord’s Name. “To the poor, Your Name is wealth...O Creator Lord, Cause of causes, O Lord and Master, Inner-knower, Searcher of all hearts” (Stanza 7). This verse suggests that all worldly needs and desires are fulfilled through the divine Name, surpassing any material wealth or external provision.

The Most Sublime Path

Finally, in the eighth stanza, Guru Arjan Dev Ji concludes with a powerful affirmation of the supremacy of the Lord’s Name. “Of all places, the most sublime place, O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides” (Stanza 8). This ultimate declaration encapsulates the entire theme of the Ashtapadi: that the heart where Hari’s Name resides is the holiest of all sanctuaries, greater than any physical or ritualistic endeavor.

Second Ashtapadi: Pouring Amrit of Hari's Name in the Heart

The second Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib presents a clear and consistent message that the remembrance and internalization of Hari’s Name are the most exalted and effective spiritual practices. Guru Arjan Dev Ji meticulously contrasts the external rituals and ascetic practices with the profound act of pouring the amrit of the Lord’s Name into the heart. Through these verses, we are reminded that true spiritual purity and liberation are not achieved through outward actions alone but through the inner devotion and remembrance of the Divine Name.