The composition deals with such topics such as Simran (general meditation that leads to merging with God) and Nam Japna (meditation of Naam), the greatness of Saints and Sadh Sangat (holy congregation), true devotion, doing good deeds, the nature of the mind, the badness of slandering, concepts relating to Bhramvidya, Adviata, Sargun and Nirgun, materialism and death, Hukam, and other similar topics. Below are a few translated lines from the first ashtpadi of the Sukhmani Sahib:

Salok:
I bow to the Primal Guru.
I bow to the Guru of the ages.
I bow to the True Guru.
I bow to the Great, Divine Guru. ||1||

Ashtapadee:

Meditate, meditate, meditate in remembrance of Him, and find peace.
Worry and anguish shall be dispelled from your body.
Remember in praise the One who pervades the whole Universe.
His Name is chanted by countless people, in so many ways.
The Vedas, the Puraanas and the Simritees, the purest of
utterances,
were created from the One Word of the Name of the Lord.
That one, in whose soul the One Lord dwells
- the praises of his glory cannot be recounted.
Those who yearn only for the blessing of Your Darshan
- Nanak: save me along with them!

Recitation

Sukhmani Sahib is frequently recited by Sikhs is one of the popular Banis (compositions of the Guru).^[11] It can be done individually or as a group usually in either a place of worship (Gurdwara) or at home. Reciting the entire Sukhmani Sahib takes about 60^[12] to 90 minutes, and is sometimes undertaken by everyone in a smaller congregation with turn by turn reading. Reciting the Gurbani of Sukhmani Sahib is believed to bring peace to one's mind^[13] and aid help remembering God constantly.

Form

Sukhmani Sahib belongs to the Raag Gauri with Gauri meaning pure.^[14] The term Sukhmani comprises two words: Sukh (peace) and Mani (the treasure or jewel of the mind)^[15] It typically is found in Gutka form (small prayer book).

Structure

Sukhmani Sahib is divided into 24 Ashtpadi (Section). The Ashtpada is the Sanskrit word for a verse that has eight (Asht) metrical feet (p?di). Before the Ashtpadi begins there is a Salok of two lines and then each Ashtpadi contains eight padas of 10 hymns per pada.^[16]

Sukhmani Sahib was composed by Guru Arjan around 1602 before he compiled the Adi Granth. The Guru compiled it at Ramsar Sarovor (Sacred pool), Amritsar which at the time was in thick woods.^[17]

Prominent Sikh saint Baba Nand Singh of Nanaksar group (19th century) and his band members would sometimes tell Sikhs to recite Sukhmani Sahib twice daily^[18] alongside that the Sant would also have Sikhs do contant Akhand Path (constant reading) of Sukhmani Sahib go on which continues to this day.^[19]