Salok Mahala 9


Salok Mahala 9 are the last 57 couplets of the Guru Granth Sahib, composed by the ninth Sikh Guru before his martyrdom. They emphasize the importance of remembering God’s name, detachment from worldly pleasures, and living right in the midst of the world.


Salok Mahala 9 are the saloks (slokas) by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur which form the concluding portion of the Guru Granth Sahib. They precede Guru Arjan’s Mundavani and appear from page 1426 to 1429 of the Sikh holy Granth. This composition consists of 57 (fifty seven) saloks and span just 4 pages of Gurbani.

Each salok is a couplet consisting of 2 lines. This Bani was incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh, the last human Guru of the Sikhs. As is commonly believed, they were composed by Guru Teg Bahadur while in the ‘Kotwali’ (prison) at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, before he was martyred.

These saloks (slokas) form an important part of the epilogue when bringing to a close the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib on a religious or social occasion and should thus be the most familiar fragment of it, after the Japji Sahib, the Sikhs’ morning prayer.

ik oankaar sathigur prasaadh ||
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

salok mehalaa 9 ||
Shalok, Ninth Mehl:

gun gobindh gaaeiou nehee janam akaarathh keen ||
If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless.

kahu naanak har bhaj manaa jih bidhh jal ko meen ||1||
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water. ||1||

bikhian sio kaahae rachiou nimakh n hohi oudhaas ||
Why are you engrossed in sin and corruption? You are not detached, even for a moment!

kahu naanak bhaj har manaa parai n jam kee faas ||2||
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord, and you shall not be caught in the noose of death. ||2||

tharanaapo eio hee gaeiou leeou jaraa than jeeth ||
Your youth has passed away like this, and old age has overtaken your body.

kahu naanak bhaj har manaa aoudhh jaath hai beeth ||3||
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; your life is fleeting away! ||3||

biradhh bhaeiou soojhai nehee kaal pehoochiou aan ||
You have become old, and you do not understand that death is overtaking you.

kahu naanak nar baavarae kio n bhajai bhagavaan ||4||
Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you not remember and meditate on God? ||4||

dhhan dhaaraa sanpath sagal jin apunee kar maan ||
Your wealth, spouse, and all the possessions which you claim as your own

ein mai kashh sangee nehee naanak saachee jaan ||5||
– none of these shall go along with you in the end. O Nanak, know this as true. ||5||

pathith oudhhaaran bhai haran har anaathh kae naathh ||
He is the Saving Grace of sinners, the Destroyer of fear, the Master of the masterless.

kahu naanak thih jaaneeai sadhaa basath thum saathh ||6||
Says Nanak, realize and know Him, who is always with you. ||6||

than dhhan jih tho ko dheeou thaan sio naehu n keen ||
He has given you your body and wealth, but you are not in love with Him.

kahu naanak nar baavarae ab kio ddolath dheen ||7||
Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you now shake and tremble so helplessly? ||7||

than dhhan sanpai sukh dheeou ar jih neekae dhhaam ||
He has given you your body, wealth, property, peace and beautiful mansions.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa simarath kaahi n raam ||8||
Says Nanak, listen, mind: why don’t you remember the Lord in meditation? ||8||

sabh sukh dhaathaa raam hai dhoosar naahin koe ||
The Lord is the Giver of all peace and comfort. There is no other at all.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa thih simarath gath hoe ||9||
Says Nanak, listen, mind: meditating in remembrance on Him, salvation is attained. ||9||

jih simarath gath paaeeai thih bhaj rae thai meeth ||
Remembering Him in meditation, salvation is attained; vibrate and meditate on Him, O my friend.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa aoudhh ghattath hai neeth ||10||
Says Nanak, listen, mind: your life is passing away! ||10||

paanch thath ko than rachiou jaanahu chathur sujaan ||
Your body is made up of the five elements; you are clever and wise – know this well.

]jih thae oupajiou naanakaa leen thaahi mai maan ||11||
Believe it – you shall merge once again into the One, O Nanak, from whom you originated. ||11||

]ghatt ghatt mai har joo basai santhan kehiou pukaar ||
The Dear Lord abides in each and every heart; the Saints proclaim this as true.

kahu naanak thih bhaj manaa bho nidhh outharehi paar ||12||
Says Nanak, meditate and vibrate upon Him, and you shall cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ||12||

sukh dhukh jih parasai nehee lobh mohu abhimaan ||
One who is not touched by pleasure or pain, greed, emotional attachment and egotistical pride

kahu naanak sun rae manaa so moorath bhagavaan ||13||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: he is the very image of God. ||13||

ousathath nindhiaa naahi jihi kanchan loh samaan ||
One who is beyond praise and slander, who looks upon gold and iron alike

kahu naanak sun rae manaa mukath thaahi thai jaan ||14||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated. ||14||

harakh sog jaa kai nehee bairee meeth samaan ||
One who is not affected by pleasure or pain, who looks upon friend and enemy alike

kahu naanak sun rae manaa mukath thaahi thai jaan ||15||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated. ||15||

bhai kaahoo ko dhaeth nehi nehi bhai maanath aan ||
One who does not frighten anyone, and who is not afraid of anyone else

kahu naanak sun rae manaa giaanee thaahi bakhaan ||16||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: call him spiritually wise. ||16||

jihi bikhiaa sagalee thajee leeou bhaekh bairaag ||
One who has forsaken all sin and corruption, who wears the robes of neutral detachment

kahu naanak sun rae manaa thih nar maathhai bhaag ||17||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: good destiny is written on his forehead. ||17||

jihi maaeiaa mamathaa thajee sabh thae bhaeiou oudhaas ||
One who renounces Maya and possessiveness and is detached from everything

kahu naanak sun rae manaa thih ghatt breham nivaas ||18||
– says Nanak, listen, mind: God abides in his heart. ||18||

jihi praanee houmai thajee karathaa raam pashhaan ||
That mortal, who forsakes egotism, and realizes the Creator Lord

kahu naanak vahu mukath nar eih man saachee maan ||19||
– says Nanak, that person is liberated; O mind, know this as true. ||19||

bhai naasan dhuramath haran kal mai har ko naam ||
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the Lord is the Destroyer of fear, the Eradicator of evil-mindedness.

nis dhin jo naanak bhajai safal hohi thih kaam ||20||
Night and day, O Nanak, whoever vibrates and meditates on the Lord’s Name, sees all of his works brought to fruition. ||20||

jihabaa gun gobindh bhajahu karan sunahu har naam ||
Vibrate with your tongue the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe; with your ears, hear the Lord’s Name.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa parehi n jam kai dhhaam ||21||
Says Nanak, listen, man: you shall not have to go to the house of Death. ||21||

jo praanee mamathaa thajai lobh moh ahankaar ||
That mortal who renounces possessiveness, greed, emotional attachment and egotism

kahu naanak aapan tharai aouran laeth oudhhaar ||22||
– says Nanak, he himself is saved, and he saves many others as well. ||22||

jio supanaa ar paekhanaa aisae jag ko jaan ||
Like a dream and a show, so is this world, you must know.

ein mai kashh saacho nehee naanak bin bhagavaan ||23||
None of this is true, O Nanak, without God. ||23||

nis dhin maaeiaa kaaranae praanee ddolath neeth ||
Night and day, for the sake of Maya, the mortal wanders constantly.

kottan mai naanak kooo naaraaein jih cheeth ||24||
Among millions, O Nanak, there is scarcely anyone, who keeps the Lord in his consciousness. ||24||

jaisae jal thae budhabudhaa oupajai binasai neeth ||
As the bubbles in the water well up and disappear again,

jag rachanaa thaisae rachee kahu naanak sun meeth ||25||
so is the universe created; says Nanak, listen, O my friend! ||25||

praanee kashhoo n chaethee madh maaeiaa kai andhh ||
The mortal does not remember the Lord, even for a moment; he is blinded by the wine of Maya.

kahu naanak bin har bhajan parath thaahi jam fandhh ||26||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, he is caught by the noose of Death. ||26||

jo sukh ko chaahai sadhaa saran raam kee laeh ||
If you yearn for eternal peace, then seek the Sanctuary of the Lord.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa dhuralabh maanukh dhaeh ||27||
Says Nanak, listen, mind: this human body is difficult to obtain. ||27||

maaeiaa kaaran dhhaavehee moorakh log ajaan ||
For the sake of Maya, the fools and ignorant people run all around.

kahu naanak bin har bhajan birathhaa janam siraan ||28||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, life passes away uselessly. ||28||

jo praanee nis dhin bhajai roop raam thih jaan ||
That mortal who meditates and vibrates upon the Lord night and day – know him to be the embodiment of the Lord.

har jan har anthar nehee naanak saachee maan ||29||
There is no difference between the Lord and the humble servant of the Lord; O Nanak, know this as true. ||29||

man maaeiaa mai fadhh rehiou bisariou gobindh naam ||
The mortal is entangled in Maya; he has forgotten the Name of the Lord of the Universe.

kahu naanak bin har bhajan jeevan kounae kaam ||30||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, what is the use of this human life? ||30||

praanee raam n chaethee madh maaeiaa kai andhh ||
The mortal does not think of the Lord; he is blinded by the wine of Maya.

kahu naanak har bhajan bin parath thaahi jam fandhh ||31||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, he is caught in the noose of Death. ||31||

sukh mai bahu sangee bheae dhukh mai sang n koe ||
In good times, there are many companions around, but in bad times, there is no one at all.

kahu naanak har bhaj manaa anth sehaaee hoe ||32||
Says Nanak, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord; He shall be your only Help and Support in the end. ||32||

janam janam bharamath firiou mittiou n jam ko thraas ||
Mortals wander lost and confused through countless lifetimes; their fear of death is never removed.

kahu naanak har bhaj manaa nirabhai paavehi baas ||33||
Says Nanak, vibrate and meditate on the Lord, and you shall dwell in the Fearless Lord. ||33||

jathan bahuth mai kar rehiou mittiou n man ko maan ||
I have tried so many things, but the pride of my mind has not been dispelled.

dhuramath sio naanak fadhhiou raakh laehu bhagavaan ||34||
I am engrossed in evil-mindedness, Nanak. O God, please save me! ||34||

baal juaanee ar biradhh fun theen avasathhaa jaan ||
Childhood, youth and old age – know these as the three stages of life.

kahu naanak har bhajan bin birathhaa sabh hee maan ||35||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, everything is useless; you must appreciate this. ||35||

karano hutho s naa keeou pariou lobh kai fandhh ||
You have not done what you should have done; you are entangled in the web of greed.

naanak samiou ram gaeiou ab kio rovath andhh ||36||
Nanak, your time is past and gone; why are you crying now, you blind fool? ||36||

man maaeiaa mai ram rehiou nikasath naahin meeth ||
The mind is absorbed in Maya – it cannot escape it, my friend.

naanak moorath chithr jio shhaaddith naahin bheeth ||37||
Nanak, it is like a picture painted on the wall – it cannot leave it. ||37||

nar chaahath kashh aour aourai kee aourai bhee ||
The man wishes for something, but something different happens.

chithavath rehiou thagour naanak faasee gal paree ||38||
He plots to deceive others, O Nanak, but he places the noose around his own neck instead. ||38||

jathan bahuth sukh kae keeeae dhukh ko keeou n koe ||
People make all sorts of efforts to find peace and pleasure, but no one tries to earn pain.

kahu naanak sun rae manaa har bhaavai so hoe ||39||
Says Nanak, listen, mind: whatever pleases God comes to pass. ||39||

jagath bhikhaaree firath hai sabh ko dhaathaa raam ||
The world wanders around begging, but the Lord is the Giver of all.

kahu naanak man simar thih pooran hovehi kaam ||40||
Says Nanak, meditate in remembrance on Him, and all your works will be successful. ||40||

jhoothai maan kehaa karai jag supanae jio jaan ||
Why do you take such false pride in yourself? You must know that the world is just a dream.

ein mai kashh thaero nehee naanak kehiou bakhaan ||41||
None of this is yours; Nanak proclaims this truth. ||41||

garab karath hai dhaeh ko binasai shhin mai meeth ||
You are so proud of your body; it shall perish in an instant, my friend.

jihi praanee har jas kehiou naanak thihi jag jeeth ||42||
That mortal who chants the Praises of the Lord, O Nanak, conquers the world. ||42||

jih ghatt simaran raam ko so nar mukathaa jaan ||
That person, who meditates in remembrance on the Lord in his heart, is liberated – know this well.

thihi nar har anthar nehee naanak saachee maan ||43||
There is no difference between that person and the Lord: O Nanak, accept this as the Truth. ||43||

eaek bhagath bhagavaan jih praanee kai naahi man ||
That person, who does not feel devotion to God in his mind

jaisae sookar suaan naanak maano thaahi than ||44||
– O Nanak, know that his body is like that of a pig, or a dog. ||44||

suaamee ko grihu jio sadhaa suaan thajath nehee nith ||
A dog never abandons the home of his master.

naanak eih bidhh har bhajo eik man hue eik chith ||45||
O Nanak, in just the same way, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord, single-mindedly, with one-pointed consciousness. ||45||

theerathh barath ar dhaan kar man mai dhharai gumaan ||
Those who make pilgrimages to sacred shrines, observe ritualistic fasts and make donations to charity while still taking pride in their minds

naanak nihafal jaath thih jio kunchar eisanaan ||46||
– O Nanak, their actions are useless, like the elephant, who takes a bath, and then rolls in the dust. ||46||

sir kanpiou pag ddagamagae nain joth thae heen ||
The head shakes, the feet stagger, and the eyes become dull and weak.

kahu naanak eih bidhh bhee thoo n har ras leen ||47||
Says Nanak, this is your condition. And even now, you have not savored the sublime essence of the Lord. ||47||​

nij kar dhaekhiou jagath mai ko kaahoo ko naahi ||
I had looked upon the world as my own, but no one belongs to anyone else.

naanak thhir har bhagath hai thih raakho man maahi ||48||
O Nanak, only devotional worship of the Lord is permanent; enshrine this in your mind. ||48||

jag rachanaa sabh jhooth hai jaan laehu rae meeth ||
The world and its affairs are totally false; know this well, my friend.

kehi naanak thhir naa rehai jio baaloo kee bheeth ||49||
Says Nanak, it is like a wall of sand; it shall not endure. ||49||

raam gaeiou raavan gaeiou jaa ko bahu paravaar ||
Raam Chand passed away, as did Raawan, even though he had lots of relatives.

kahu naanak thhir kashh nehee supanae jio sansaar ||50||
Says Nanak, nothing lasts forever; the world is like a dream. ||50||

chinthaa thaa kee keejeeai jo anehonee hoe ||
People become anxious, when something unexpected happens.

eihu maarag sansaar ko naanak thhir nehee koe ||51||
This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent. ||51||

jo oupajiou so binas hai paro aaj kai kaal ||
Whatever has been created shall be destroyed; everyone shall perish, today or tomorrow.

naanak har gun gaae lae shhaadd sagal janjaal ||52||
O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and give up all other entanglements. ||52||

dhoharaa ||
Dohraa:

bal shhuttakiou bandhhan parae kashhoo n hoth oupaae ||
My strength is exhausted, and I am in bondage; I cannot do anything at all.

kahu naanak ab outt har gaj jio hohu sehaae ||53||
Says Nanak, now, the Lord is my Support; He will help me, as He did the elephant. ||53||

bal hoaa bandhhan shhuttae sabh kishh hoth oupaae ||
My strength has been restored, and my bonds have been broken; now, I can do everything.

naanak sabh kishh thumarai haathh mai thum hee hoth sehaae ||54||
Nanak: everything is in Your hands, Lord; You are my Helper and Support. ||54||

sang sakhaa sabh thaj geae kooo n nibehiou saathh ||
My associates and companions have all deserted me; no one remains with me.

kahu naanak eih bipath mai ttaek eaek raghunaathh ||55||
Says Nanak, in this tragedy, the Lord alone is my Support. ||55||

naam rehiou saadhhoo rehiou rehiou gur gobindh ||
The Naam remains; the Holy Saints remain; the Guru, the Lord of the Universe, remains.

kahu naanak eih jagath mai kin japiou gur manth ||56||
Says Nanak, how rare are those who chant the Guru’s Mantra in this world. ||56||

raam naam our mai gehiou jaa kai sam nehee koe ||
I have enshrined the Lord’s Name within my heart; there is nothing equal to it.

jih simarath sankatt mittai dharas thuhaaro hoe ||57||1||
Meditating in remembrance on it, my troubles are taken away; I have received the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||57||1||