The Sukhmani is one of the fundamental texts in Sikhism, offering a comprehensive picture of the religion’s teachings. This structure remains constant, even though one may not detect a logical flow from one canto to another as expected in philosophical works – notwithstanding this, there is an enduring spiritual and ethical atmosphere permeating all parts of the hymn. The last part of each astpadi often serves to summarize what has been previously said or rather, is used to celebrate and praise the Eternal Reality present throughout the composition. At the beginning of every astpadi is a sloka or couplet that introduces the theme which will be explored in the following seven verses. The Sukhmani is structured into twenty-four cantos, each one consisting of eight stanzas written in the metre chaupai. The combination of “Sukh”, meaning peace or comfort, and “mani” meaning mind or heart, makes clear why it has this ability. In English, “Sukhmani” translates to “consoler of the mind” and it is commonly referred to as the “Psalm of Peace” or “Song of Peace” – indicative of its calming capabilities for its reader. It was written on the bank of the Ramsar pool in Amritsar, which was once surrounded by thick foliage.
Davinderpal Singh (of Sikh Book Company, Darbar Sahib) were very keen to fulfill the wish of such ardent followers and students of Sikhism.Gauri Sukhmani, composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji around AD 1602-03, is a lengthy composition that many recite as part of their daily prayer. A very large number of Western readers had been looking for a genuine, correct and intelligible translation (as well as transliteration) of the Sukhmani Sahib. They are replete with incorrect meanings and, the transliterations too are very faulty. But, unlike the translations of Guru Granth Sahib and Nitnaym, there are just a couple of translations of the Sukhmani Sahib, especially in English but they are not up to the mark. Similarly, the translations of Nitnaym too have been attempted by many writers. Darshan Singh's translation is, so far, the best among the available publications. Sahib Singh's translation of Guru Granth Sahib is a commendable work, so far the best in Punjabi. Already, there are available several translations of Gurbani, Guru Granth Sahib, Nitnaym etc in Punjabi and other languages and several of them are results of laborious efforts by their creators.
To translate Gurbani into another language (other than Punjabi) is still more difficult. Translation/ exegesis of Gurbani is a very difficult task. For a Sikh, all the Baanis have the same value, importance and impact. Some ignorant persons have tried to attach special importance to it, which is wrong. Sukhmani Sahib is one of the most read Baanis of Guru Granth Sahib.
0 kommentar(er)
