The Qualities of the God-Conscious Person

[Treks]

The following is a passage from a popular Sikh shabad called Sukhmani (Peace of Mind). Sukhmani is written in a poetic style called 'Ashtapadi' which means 'eight stanzas'. Each set of eight stanzas is prefaced by a short clause called a Shalok.

It starts on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji panna (page) 272.

It describes the type of person a Sikh should strive to be. It's a long poem, so I've only pasted the English translation here. It can be seen as a spiritual progression, starting out describing basic daily niceness through to God-like state of mind.

Shalok:
The True One is on his mind, and the True One is upon his lips.
He sees only the One.
O Nanak, these are the qualities of the God-conscious being. ||1||

Ashtapadee:
The God-conscious being is always unattached,
as the lotus in the water remains detached.
The God-conscious being is always unstained,
like the sun, which gives its comfort and warmth to all.
The God-conscious being looks upon all alike,
like the wind, which blows equally upon the king and the poor beggar.
The God-conscious being has a steady patience,
like the earth, which is dug up by one, and anointed with sandal paste by another.
This is the quality of the God-conscious being:
O Nanak, his inherent nature is like a warming fire. ||1||

The God-conscious being is the purest of the pure;
filth does not stick to water.
The God-conscious being's mind is enlightened,
like the sky above the earth.
To the God-conscious being, friend and foe are the same.
The God-conscious being has no egotistical pride.
The God-conscious being is the highest of the high.
Within his own mind, he is the most humble of all.
They alone become God-conscious beings,
O Nanak, whom God Himself makes so. ||2||

The God-conscious being is the dust of all.
The God-conscious being knows the nature of the soul.
The God-conscious being shows kindness to all.
No evil comes from the God-conscious being.
The God-conscious being is always impartial.
Nectar rains down from the glance of the God-conscious being.
The God-conscious being is free from entanglements.
The lifestyle of the God-conscious being is spotlessly pure.
Spiritual wisdom is the food of the God-conscious being.
O Nanak, the God-conscious being is absorbed in God's meditation. ||3||

The God-conscious being centers his hopes on the One alone.
The God-conscious being shall never perish.
The God-conscious being is stepped in humility.
The God-conscious being delights in doing good to others.
The God-conscious being has no worldly entanglements.
The God-conscious being holds his wandering mind under control.
The God-conscious being acts in the common good.
The God-conscious being blossoms in fruitfulness.
In the Company of the God-conscious being, all are saved.
O Nanak, through the God-conscious being, the whole world meditates on God. ||4||

The God-conscious being loves the One Lord alone.
The God-conscious being dwells with God.
The God-conscious being takes the Naam as his Support.
The God-conscious being has the Naam as his Family.
The God-conscious being is awake and aware, forever and ever.
The God-conscious being renounces his proud ego.
In the mind of the God-conscious being, there is supreme bliss.
In the home of the God-conscious being, there is everlasting bliss.
The God-conscious being dwells in peaceful ease.
O Nanak, the God-conscious being shall never perish. ||5||

The God-conscious being knows God.
The God-conscious being is in love with the One alone.
The God-conscious being is carefree.
Pure are the Teachings of the God-conscious being.
The God-conscious being is made so by God Himself.
The God-conscious being is gloriously great.
The Darshan, the Blessed Vision of the God-conscious being, is obtained by great good fortune.
To the God-conscious being, I make my life a sacrifice.
The God-conscious being is sought by the great god Shiva.
O Nanak, the God-conscious being is Himself the Supreme Lord God. ||6||

The God-conscious being cannot be appraised.
The God-conscious being has all within his mind.
Who can know the mystery of the God-conscious being?
Forever bow to the God-conscious being.
The God-conscious being cannot be described in words.
The God-conscious being is the Lord and Master of all.
Who can describe the limits of the God-conscious being?
Only the God-conscious being can know the state of the God-conscious being.
The God-conscious being has no end or limitation.
O Nanak, to the God-conscious being, bow forever in reverence. ||7||

The God-conscious being is the Creator of all the world.
The God-conscious being lives forever, and does not die.
The God-conscious being is the Giver of the way of liberation of the soul.
The God-conscious being is the Perfect Supreme Being, who orchestrates all.
The God-conscious being is the helper of the helpless.
The God-conscious being extends his hand to all.
The God-conscious being owns the entire creation.
The God-conscious being is himself the Formless Lord.
The glory of the God-conscious being belongs to the God-conscious being alone.
O Nanak, the God-conscious being is the Lord of all. ||8||8||​

 

[Treks]

These shaloks are by Baba Fareed Ji on panna 1384 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Baba Fareed was a Sufi who lived between 1173 and 1266, in the Punjab area of India. Although he predates Guru Nanak Sahib Ji (the first Sikh Guru) by 200 years, Guru Nanak saw that his poetry aligned with his philosophy and included some of them in his collection.

What is that word, what is that virtue, and what is that magic mantra?
What are those clothes, which I can wear to captivate my Husband Lord? ||126||

Humility is the word, forgiveness is the virtue, and sweet speech is the magic mantra.
Wear these three robes, O sister, and you will captivate your Husband Lord. ||127||

If you are wise, be simple;
if you are powerful, be weak;
and when there is nothing to share, then share with others.
How rare is one who is known as such a devotee. ||128||

Do not utter even a single harsh word; your True Lord and Master abides in all.
Do not break anyone's heart; these are all priceless jewels. ||129||

The minds of all are like precious jewels; to harm them is not good at all.
If you desire your Beloved, then do not break anyone's heart. ||130||​