Salok Mahalla 9
Salok Mahalla 9 in English · English
✦ Meaning
Salok Mahalla 9 are the 57 saloks (couplets) of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji that close the Guru Granth Sahib. In spare, piercing verse they teach detachment, fearlessness and the remembrance of God — that life is fleeting, the world a passing dream, and only the Name endures. They are recited at the conclusion of a Sehaj Path.
Origin & Story
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Ang 1426–1429). English translation: Sant Singh Khalsa (public domain). · Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji · 17th century CE
Placed near the close of the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Tegh Bahadur’s saloks distil a lifetime of wisdom into 57 couplets. Read at the end of a complete path, they leave the mind sober, fearless and fixed on the one Name that outlasts all things.
Complete Text with Meaning
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ikOankaar satigur prasaadh ||
Meaning:One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
salok mahalaa nauvaa ||
Meaning:Salok, Ninth Mehl:
gun gobi(n)dh gaio nahee janam akaarath keen || kahu naanak har bhaj manaa jeh bidh jal kau meen ||1||
Meaning:If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless. Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water. ||1||
bikhian siau kaahe rachio nimakh na hoh udhaas || kahu naanak bhaj har manaa parai na jam kee faas ||2||
Meaning:Why are you engrossed in sin and corruption? You are not detached, even for a moment! Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord, and you shall not be caught in the noose of death. ||2||
taranaapo iau hee gio leeo jaraa tan jeet || kahu naanak bhaj har manaa aaudh jaat hai beet ||3||
Meaning:Your youth has passed away like this, and old age has overtaken your body. Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; your life is fleeting away! ||3||
biradh bhio soojhai nahee kaal pahoochio aan || kahu naanak nar baavare kiau na bhajai bhagavaan ||4||
Meaning:You have become old, and you do not understand that death is overtaking you. Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you not remember and meditate on God? ||4||
dhan dhaaraa sa(n)pat sagal jin apunee kar maan || ein mai kachh sa(n)gee nahee naanak saachee jaan ||5||
Meaning:Your wealth, spouse, and all the possessions which you claim as your own - none of these shall go along with you in the end. O Nanak, know this as true. ||5||
patit udhaaran bhai haran har anaath ke naath || kahu naanak teh jaaneeaai sadhaa basat tum saath ||6||
Meaning:He is the Saving Grace of sinners, the Destroyer of fear, the Master of the masterless. Says Nanak, realize and know Him, who is always with you. ||6||
tan dhan jeh to kau dheeo taa(n) siau neh na keen || kahu naanak nar baavare ab kiau ddolat dheen ||7||
Meaning:He has given you your body and wealth, but you are not in love with Him. Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you now shake and tremble so helplessly? ||7||
tan dhan sa(n)pai sukh dheeo ar jeh neeke dhaam || kahu naanak sun re manaa simarat kaeh na raam ||8||
Meaning:He has given you your body, wealth, property, peace and beautiful mansions. Says Nanak, listen, mind: why don't you remember the Lord in meditation? ||8||
sabh sukh dhaataa raam hai dhoosar naahin koi || kahu naanak sun re manaa teh simarat gat hoi ||9||
Meaning:The Lord is the Giver of all peace and comfort. There is no other at all. Says Nanak, listen, mind: meditating in remembrance on Him, salvation is attained. ||9||
jeh simarat gat paieeaai teh bhaj re tai meet || kahu naanak sun re manaa aaudh ghaTat hai neet ||10||
Meaning:Remembering Him in meditation, salvation is attained; vibrate and meditate on Him, O my friend. Says Nanak, listen, mind: your life is passing away! ||10||
paa(n)ch tat ko tan rachio jaanahu chatur sujaan || jeh te upajio naanakaa leen taeh mai maan ||11||
Meaning:Your body is made up of the five elements; you are clever and wise - know this well. Believe it - you shall merge once again into the One, O Nanak, from whom you originated. ||11||
ghaT ghaT mai har joo basai sa(n)tan kahio pukaar || kahu naanak teh bhaj manaa bhau nidh utareh paar ||12||
Meaning:The Dear Lord abides in each and every heart; the Saints proclaim this as true. Says Nanak, meditate and vibrate upon Him, and you shall cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ||12||
sukh dhukh jeh parasai nahee lobh moh abhimaan || kahu naanak sun re manaa so moorat bhagavaan ||13||
Meaning:One who is not touched by pleasure or pain, greed, emotional attachment and egotistical pride - says Nanak, listen, mind: he is the very image of God. ||13||
ausatat ni(n)dhiaa naeh jeh ka(n)chan loh samaan || kahu naanak sun re manaa mukat taeh tai jaan ||14||
Meaning:One who is beyond praise and slander, who looks upon gold and iron alike - says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated. ||14||
harakh sog jaa kai nahee bairee meet samaan || kahu naanak sun re manaa mukat taeh tai jaan ||15||
Meaning:One who is not affected by pleasure or pain, who looks upon friend and enemy alike - says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated. ||15||
bhai kaahoo kau dhet neh neh bhai maanat aan || kahu naanak sun re manaa giaanee taeh bakhaan ||16||
Meaning:One who does not frighten anyone, and who is not afraid of anyone else - says Nanak, listen, mind: call him spiritually wise. ||16||
jeh bikhiaa sagalee tajee leeo bhekh bairaag || kahu naanak sun re manaa teh nar maathai bhaag ||17||
Meaning:One who has forsaken all sin and corruption, who wears the robes of neutral detachment - says Nanak, listen, mind: good destiny is written on his forehead. ||17||
jeh maiaa mamataa tajee sabh te bhio udhaas || kahu naanak sun re manaa teh ghaT braham nivaas ||18||
Meaning:One who renounces Maya and possessiveness and is detached from everything - says Nanak, listen, mind: God abides in his heart. ||18||
jeh praanee haumai tajee karataa raam pachhaan || kahu naanak vahu mukat nar ieh man saachee maan ||19||
Meaning:That mortal, who forsakes egotism, and realizes the Creator Lord - says Nanak, that person is liberated; O mind, know this as true. ||19||
bhai naasan dhuramat haran kal mai har ko naam || nis dhin jo naanak bhajai safal hoh teh kaam ||20||
Meaning:In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the Lord is the Destroyer of fear, the Eradicator of evil-mindedness. 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 gobi(n)dh bhajahu karan sunahu har naam || kahu naanak sun re manaa pareh na jam kai dhaam ||21||
Meaning:Vibrate with your tongue the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe; with your ears, hear the Lord's Name. Says Nanak, listen, man: you shall not have to go to the house of Death. ||21||
jo praanee mamataa tajai lobh moh aha(n)kaar || kahu naanak aapan tarai aauran let udhaar ||22||
Meaning:That mortal who renounces possessiveness, greed, emotional attachment and egotism - says Nanak, he himself is saved, and he saves many others as well. ||22||
jiau supanaa ar pekhanaa aaise jag kau jaan || ein mai kachh saacho nahee naanak bin bhagavaan ||23||
Meaning:Like a dream and a show, so is this world, you must know. None of this is true, O Nanak, without God. ||23||
nis dhin maiaa kaarane praanee ddolat neet || koTan mai naanak kouoo naarain jeh cheet ||24||
Meaning:Night and day, for the sake of Maya, the mortal wanders constantly. Among millions, O Nanak, there is scarcely anyone, who keeps the Lord in his consciousness. ||24||
jaise jal te budhabudhaa upajai binasai neet || jag rachanaa taise rachee kahu naanak sun meet ||25||
Meaning:As the bubbles in the water well up and disappear again, so is the universe created; says Nanak, listen, O my friend! ||25||
praanee kachhoo na chetiee madh maiaa kai a(n)dh || kahu naanak bin har bhajan parat taeh jam fa(n)dh ||26||
Meaning:The mortal does not remember the Lord, even for a moment; he is blinded by the wine of Maya. Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, he is caught by the noose of Death. ||26||
jau sukh kau chaahai sadhaa saran raam kee leh || kahu naanak sun re manaa dhuralabh maanukh dheh ||27||
Meaning:If you yearn for eternal peace, then seek the Sanctuary of the Lord. Says Nanak, listen, mind: this human body is difficult to obtain. ||27||
maiaa kaaran dhaavahee moorakh log ajaan || kahu naanak bin har bhajan birathaa janam siraan ||28||
Meaning:For the sake of Maya, the fools and ignorant people run all around. Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, life passes away uselessly. ||28||
jo praanee nis dhin bhajai roop raam teh jaan || har jan har a(n)tar nahee naanak saachee maan ||29||
Meaning:That mortal who meditates and vibrates upon the Lord night and day - know him to be the embodiment of the Lord. There is no difference between the Lord and the humble servant of the Lord; O Nanak, know this as true. ||29||
man maiaa mai fadh rahio bisario gobi(n)dh naam || kahu naanak bin har bhajan jeevan kaune kaam ||30||
Meaning:The mortal is entangled in Maya; he has forgotten the Name of the Lord of the Universe. Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, what is the use of this human life? ||30||
praanee raam na chetiee madh maiaa kai a(n)dh || kahu naanak har bhajan bin parat taeh jam fa(n)dh ||31||
Meaning:The mortal does not think of the Lord; he is blinded by the wine of Maya. Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, he is caught in the noose of Death. ||31||
sukh mai bahu sa(n)gee bhe dhukh mai sa(n)g na koi || kahu naanak har bhaj manaa a(n)t sahaiee hoi ||32||
Meaning:In good times, there are many companions around, but in bad times, there is no one at all. Says Nanak, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord; He shall be your only Help and Support in the end. ||32||
janam janam bharamat firio miTio na jam ko traas || kahu naanak har bhaj manaa nirabhai paaveh baas ||33||
Meaning:Mortals wander lost and confused through countless lifetimes; their fear of death is never removed. Says Nanak, vibrate and meditate on the Lord, and you shall dwell in the Fearless Lord. ||33||
jatan bahut mai kar rahio miTio na man ko maan || dhuramat siau naanak fadhio raakh leh bhagavaan ||34||
Meaning:I have tried so many things, but the pride of my mind has not been dispelled. I am engrossed in evil-mindedness, Nanak. O God, please save me! ||34||
baal juaanee ar biradh fun teen avasathaa jaan || kahu naanak har bhajan bin birathaa sabh hee maan ||35||
Meaning:Childhood, youth and old age - know these as the three stages of life. Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, everything is useless; you must appreciate this. ||35||
karano huto su naa keeo pario lobh kai fa(n)dh || naanak samio ram gio ab kiau rovat a(n)dh ||36||
Meaning:You have not done what you should have done; you are entangled in the web of greed. Nanak, your time is past and gone; why are you crying now, you blind fool? ||36||
man maiaa mai ram rahio nikasat naahin meet || naanak moorat chitr jiau chhaaddit naahin bheet ||37||
Meaning:The mind is absorbed in Maya - it cannot escape it, my friend. Nanak, it is like a picture painted on the wall - it cannot leave it. ||37||
nar chaahat kachh aaur aaurai kee aaurai bhiee || chitavat rahio Thagaur naanak faasee gal paree ||38||
Meaning:The man wishes for something, but something different happens. He plots to deceive others, O Nanak, but he places the noose around his own neck instead. ||38||
jatan bahut sukh ke ke'ee dhukh ko keeo na koi || kahu naanak sun re manaa har bhaavai so hoi ||39||
Meaning:People make all sorts of efforts to find peace and pleasure, but no one tries to earn pain. Says Nanak, listen, mind: whatever pleases God comes to pass. ||39||
jagat bhikhaaree firat hai sabh ko dhaataa raam || kahu naanak man simar teh pooran hoveh kaam ||40||
Meaning:The world wanders around begging, but the Lord is the Giver of all. Says Nanak, meditate in remembrance on Him, and all your works will be successful. ||40||
jhooThai maan kahaa karai jag supane jiau jaan || ein mai kachh tero nahee naanak kahio bakhaan ||41||
Meaning:Why do you take such false pride in yourself? You must know that the world is just a dream. None of this is yours; Nanak proclaims this truth. ||41||
garab karat hai dheh ko binasai chhin mai meet || jeh praanee har jas kahio naanak teh jag jeet ||42||
Meaning:You are so proud of your body; it shall perish in an instant, my friend. That mortal who chants the Praises of the Lord, O Nanak, conquers the world. ||42||
jeh ghaT simaran raam ko so nar mukataa jaan || teh nar har a(n)tar nahee naanak saachee maan ||43||
Meaning:That person, who meditates in remembrance on the Lord in his heart, is liberated - know this well. There is no difference between that person and the Lord: O Nanak, accept this as the Truth. ||43||
ek bhagat bhagavaan jeh praanee kai naeh man || jaise sookar suaan naanak maano taeh tan ||44||
Meaning:That person, who does not feel devotion to God in his mind - O Nanak, know that his body is like that of a pig, or a dog. ||44||
suaamee ko girahu jiau sadhaa suaan tajat nahee nit || naanak ieh bidh har bhajau ik man hui ik chit ||45||
Meaning:A dog never abandons the home of his master. O Nanak, in just the same way, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord, single-mindedly, with one-pointed consciousness. ||45||
teerath barat ar dhaan kar man mai dharai gumaan || naanak nihafal jaat teh jiau ku(n)char isanaan ||46||
Meaning:Those who make pilgrimages to sacred shrines, observe ritualistic fasts and make donations to charity while still taking pride in their minds - O Nanak, their actions are useless, like the elephant, who takes a bath, and then rolls in the dust. ||46||
sir ka(n)pio pag ddagamage nain jot te heen || kahu naanak ieh bidh bhiee tuoo na har ras leen ||47||
Meaning:The head shakes, the feet stagger, and the eyes become dull and weak. Says Nanak, this is your condition. And even now, you have not savored the sublime essence of the Lord. ||47||
nij kar dhekhio jagat mai ko kaahoo ko naeh || naanak thir har bhagat hai teh raakho man maeh ||48||
Meaning:I had looked upon the world as my own, but no one belongs to anyone else. O Nanak, only devotional worship of the Lord is permanent; enshrine this in your mind. ||48||
jag rachanaa sabh jhooTh hai jaan leh re meet || keh naanak thir naa rahai jiau baaloo kee bheet ||49||
Meaning:The world and its affairs are totally false; know this well, my friend. Says Nanak, it is like a wall of sand; it shall not endure. ||49||
raam gio raavan gio jaa kau bahu paravaar || kahu naanak thir kachh nahee supane jiau sa(n)saar ||50||
Meaning:Raam Chand passed away, as did Raawan, even though he had lots of relatives. Says Nanak, nothing lasts forever; the world is like a dream. ||50||
chi(n)taa taa kee keejeeaai jo anahonee hoi || eih maarag sa(n)saar ko naanak thir nahee koi ||51||
Meaning:People become anxious, when something unexpected happens. This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent. ||51||
jo upajio so binas hai paro aaj kai kaal || naanak har gun gai le chhaadd sagal ja(n)jaal ||52||
Meaning:Whatever has been created shall be destroyed; everyone shall perish, today or tomorrow. O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and give up all other entanglements. ||52||
dhoharaa ||
Meaning:Dohraa:
bal chhuTakio ba(n)dhan pare kachhoo na hot upai || kahu naanak ab oT har gaj jiau hoh sahai ||53||
Meaning:My strength is exhausted, and I am in bondage; I cannot do anything at all. Says Nanak, now, the Lord is my Support; He will help me, as He did the elephant. ||53||
bal hoaa ba(n)dhan chhuTe sabh kichh hot upai || naanak sabh kichh tumarai haath mai tum hee hot sahai ||54||
Meaning:My strength has been restored, and my bonds have been broken; now, I can do everything. Nanak: everything is in Your hands, Lord; You are my Helper and Support. ||54||
sa(n)g sakhaa sabh taj ge kouoo na nibahio saath || kahu naanak ieh bipat mai Tek ek raghunaath ||55||
Meaning:My associates and companions have all deserted me; no one remains with me. Says Nanak, in this tragedy, the Lord alone is my Support. ||55||
naam rahio saadhoo rahio rahio gur gobi(n)dh || kahu naanak ieh jagat mai kin japio gur ma(n)t ||56||
Meaning:The Naam remains; the Holy Saints remain; the Guru, the Lord of the Universe, remains. Says Nanak, how rare are those who chant the Guru's Mantra in this world. ||56||
raam naam ur mai gahio jaa kai sam nahee koi || jeh simarat sa(n)kaT miTai dharas tuhaaro hoi ||57||1||
Meaning:I have enshrined the Lord's Name within my heart; there is nothing equal to it. Meditating in remembrance on it, my troubles are taken away; I have received the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||57||1||
Benefits of Chanting Salok Mahalla 9
The 57 saloks of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji — wisdom on detachment and fearlessness
Cuts attachment to the fleeting world and turns the mind to God
Recited at the conclusion (bhog) of a Sehaj Path
Brings calm, perspective and remembrance of the Eternal
How to Chant Salok Mahalla 9
Recite the saloks slowly, letting each couplet’s teaching on impermanence and the Name settle in the mind. Read in Gurmukhi with transliteration and meaning provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
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