ਅਸ਼ਦਸਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਗੀ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਾਈ॥

The phrase "Nau Nidh" (Punjabi ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ) consists of two words; the word "Nau" (Punjabi ਨਉ ) which means the numeral '9' and the word "Nidh" (Punjabi ਨਿਧਿ) which means "treasure". So together "Nau Nidh" means "Nine Treasures".

Gurbani is essentially poetry. To convey the message effective language tools were needed to explain to individuals the message of Vaheguru. These included using metaphors, imagery and similes. Guru Ji drew upon the culture, beliefs and ambient practices of the society when Gurbani was revealed to help explain to the common folk the universal message of Truth. Therefore, to fully understand the message of Gurbaani a person needs to have knowledge of the culture, mythology and languages of the Indian sub-continent, which combined with the aforementioned language tools and grammar allows one to fully understand in correct context what Guru Ji is saying. As a result of ignorance of the latter mentioned points one can sometimes misread and misunderstand the message of Gurbaani.

This week's article will focus on what are the ਨਉਨਿਧਿ (Nau-nidh) or 'nine treasures of wealth'. This term is mentioned in the Ardaas (recited daily by Sikhs) and in Gurbaani. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Guru, writes the first part of Ardaas. Guru Ji ends this verse by writing:

ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ, ਘਰ ਨਉਨਿਧਿ ਆਵੈ ਧਾਇ॥ ਸਬ ਥਾਈਂ ਹੋਇ ਸਹਾਇ॥

"Remember and meditate upon (Guru) Teg Bahadur; and then nine sources of wealth will come hastening to your home. (O Respected Gurus!) kindly help us everywhere."

'Nau Nidh' (Punjabi ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ) appears in Sri Guru Granth Sahib 45 times.

Contents Nine Worldly Treasures Nine Spiritual Treasures Nine Treasures & Naam Gurbani Lines includes Nau nidh

 

Nine Worldly Treasures

According to Indian thought traditionally Nau Nidheeaa(n) or Nine treasures are described as the following:

1. 'Padam Nidhi' - Attainment of children, grand children, precious metals, gold, silver, and the like
   
2. 'Mahaan Padam' - One gets, Diamond, Rubies and other precious stones. gems, jewels etc
   
3. 'Sankh' - delicious things to eat
   
4. 'Makar' - training in the use of arms and Rule over others
   
5. 'Kachhap' - clothes, food grains, corn and the like
   
6. 'Kund' - dealings in gold
   
7. 'Neel' - trading in precious stones, gems and jewels
   
8. 'Mukand' - mastery of the fine arts, Music & Poetry
   
9. 'Kharab' or 'Warch' - riches of all kinds
   

Nine Spiritual Treasures

1. Bharosa - faith. A deep Faith in God and Dependence of god. The firm Faith in Vaheguru is the first and foremost experience of a practitioner of naam.
2. Leenta - An absolute attachment attachment (absorption) to god.
3. Santokh - Content
4. Detachment - From Family, Friends & Worldly Possesions.
5. Hukam - Acceptance of and Total Surrender to the will of god.
6. Sehaj - Equilibrium and Equipoise of the mind.
7. Anand - Perpetual delight and Permanant joy.
8. Vismaad - Ecstacy: Joy plus wonderment, forgetting the self.
9. Nadar - An awakened soul considers god as the prime reason of his attainments and that his own efforts means nothing. The attitude keeps ego far away from the person.

Nine Treasures & Naam

In the context of Gurbaani the Nau-Nidh or nine sources of wealth are related to 'Naam' (the Lord's Name).

ਆਪਿ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ਨ ਭੁਲਈ ਸਚਾ ਵਡ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਧਿ ਕੈ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇ ਦਾਣੁ ॥ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਉਪਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਵੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥2॥
"The True Lord Vaheguru knows all; He makes no mistakes. He is the Great Farmer of the Universe. First, He prepares the ground, and then He plants the Seed of the True Name. The nine treasures are produced from the Name of the One Lord. By His Grace, we obtain His Banner and Insignia. ||2||" (Ang 19, SGGS)

ਮੈ ਛਡਿਆ ਸਭੋ ਧੰਧੜਾ ॥ ਗੋਸਾਈ ਸੇਵੀ ਸਚੜਾ ॥ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਮੈ ਪਲੈ ਬਧਾ ਛਿਕਿ ਜੀਉ ॥8॥ ਮੈ ਸੁਖੀ ਹੂੰ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਪੁਰਖਿ ਵਿਖਾਲਿਆ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਧਰਿ ਕੈ ਹਥੁ ਜੀਉ ॥9॥
"I have forsaken all my entanglements; I serve the True Lord of the Universe. I have firmly attached the Name, the Home of the Nine Treasures to my robe. ||8|| I have obtained the comfort of comforts. The Guru has implanted the Word of the Shabad deep within me. The True Guru has shown me my Husband Lord Vaheguru; He has placed His Hand upon my forehead. ||9||" (Ang 73, SGGS)

ਸਬਦੈ ਸਾਦੁ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਤਾ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ॥ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਬਦਿ ਵਖਾਣਹਿ ॥ਸਚੇ ਸੇਵਿ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਵਣਿਆ ॥5॥
"Those who know the essence of the Shabad, understand their own selves. Immaculate is the speech of those who chant the Word of the Shabad. Serving the True One, they find a lasting peace; they enshrine the nine treasures of the Naam within their minds. ||5||" (Ang 115, SGGS)

It is clear from reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that the Nine treasures or Nine sources of wealth mentioned in the Ardaas in fact refers to the ਨਾਮ ਰੂਪ ਦੌਲਤ, the wealth of Naam rather than being concerned with the Nine things which are believed to be treasures and sources of wealth according to the traditional beliefs of the Indian subcontinent in themselves.

ਮਃ 5 ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਿ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ॥ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਵਣੁ ਤਿਣੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਕੀਤਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਆ ਮਨੁਖ ॥2॥
"Fifth Mehl: To ask (from You) for any other than You, Vaheguru, is the most miserable of miseries. Please bless me with Your Name, and make me content, that the hunger of my mind be satisfied. As Waheguru makes the dried woods and meadows green again. O Nanak, is it any wonder that He blesses human beings, as well? ||2||" (Ang 958, SGGS)

Gurbani Lines includes Nau nidh

ਪੰਨਾ 19, ਸਤਰ 2
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਉਪਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਵੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥2॥
The nine treasures are produced from Name of the One Lord. By His Grace, we obtain His Banner and Insignia. ||2||
ਮਃ 1 

ਪੰਨਾ 73, ਸਤਰ 17
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਮੈ ਪਲੈ ਬਧਾ ਛਿਕਿ ਜੀਉ ॥8॥
I have firmly attached the Name, the Home of the Nine Treasures to my robe. ||8||
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 80, ਸਤਰ 5
ਲੜਿ ਲੀਨੇ ਲਾਏ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਏ ਨਾਉ ਸਰਬਸੁ ਠਾਕੁਰਿ ਦੀਨਾ ॥
He has attached me to the hem of His robe, and I have obtained the nine treasures. My Lord and Master has bestowed His Name, which is everything to me.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 97, ਸਤਰ 6
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਤੇਰੈ ਅਖੁਟ ਭੰਡਾਰਾ ॥
Your nine treasures are an inexhaustible storehouse.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 107, ਸਤਰ 15
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰਾ ॥
The Naam is overflowing with the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 115, ਸਤਰ 17
ਸਚੇ ਸੇਵਿ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਵਣਿਆ ॥5
Serving the True One, they find a lasting peace; they enshrine the nine treasures of the Naam within their minds. ||5||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 122, ਸਤਰ 13
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥
The nine treasures of the Naam come to dwell within their minds.
ਮਃ 3

ਪੰਨਾ 128, ਸਤਰ 16
ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਏ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮੇਟਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥2॥
They obtain the nine treasures of the wealth of the Naam. Rising above the three qualities, they merge into the Lord. ||2||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 146, ਸਤਰ 9
ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਭਾਲਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਗਹੀਰੁ ॥
Within the body are the nine treasures of the Name of the Lord-seek the depths of these virtues.
ਮਃ 2 

ਪੰਨਾ 161, ਸਤਰ 7
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੇ ਨਾਉ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਏ ॥4॥11॥31॥
O Nanak, chanting the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the nine treasures of the Name are obtained. ||4||11||31||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 205, ਸਤਰ 11
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਇਕ ਠਾਈ ਤਉ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕੈਠੈ ਜਾਇਓ ॥3॥
The nine treasures of the wealth of the Name of the Lord are in that one place. Where else should we go? ||3||
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 235, ਸਤਰ 2
ਗੁਰਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਖਾਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਕਰੀ ਦਇਆਲਿ ॥5॥
The Guru has shown me the nine treasures of the Naam. The Merciful Lord has bestowed this gift. ||5||
ਮਃ 4 

ਪੰਨਾ 241, ਸਤਰ 11
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਸੁਖੋ ॥4॥
You shall obtain the nine treasures, and receive infinite peace. ||4||
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 245, ਸਤਰ 15
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਹਜੇ ਹਰਿ ਵਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥4॥3॥
O Nanak, that soul-bride who obtains the nine treasures, intuitively obtains her Husband Lord. ||4||3||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 262, ਸਤਰ 17
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ॥
In the remembrance of God are wealth, miraculous spiritual powers and the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 293, ਸਤਰ 16
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
The nine treasures are in the Ambrosial Name of God.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 352, ਸਤਰ 19
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
By Guru's Grace, I have obtained the sublime essence of the Lord; I have received the wealth of the Naam and the nine treasures. ||1||Pause||
ਮਃ 1 

ਪੰਨਾ 372, ਸਤਰ 12
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮਹਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਨੇ ॥
With the nine treasures of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, I am satisfied in my own home.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 376, ਸਤਰ 2
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਤੇਰੈ ਸਗਲ ਨਿਧਾਨ ॥
The nine treasures are Yours - all treasures are Yours.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 387, ਸਤਰ 7
ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ॥
The wealth of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is for me the nine treasures, and the spiritual powers of the Siddhas.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 473, ਸਤਰ 3
ਸਹਿ ਤੁਠੈ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈਆ ॥18॥
When the Lord is thoroughly pleased, the nine treasures are obtained. ||18||
ਮਃ 1 

ਪੰਨਾ 477, ਸਤਰ 10
ਐਸਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Such a Yogi obtains the nine treasures.
ਭਗਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ 

ਪੰਨਾ 518, ਸਤਰ 5
ਜਾ ਤੂੰ ਤੁਸਹਿ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
When You are pleased, O Merciful Lord, I find the nine treasures within the home of my own self.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 518, ਸਤਰ 13
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ਰਾਜੁ ਜੀਵਾ ਬੋਲਿਆ ॥
I obtain the nine treasures and royalty; chanting Your Name, I live.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 569, ਸਤਰ 12
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਨਾਮੇ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
Within them is the Infinite Shabad, and the Beloved Naam, the Name of the Lord; through the Naam, the nine treasures are obtained.
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 577, ਸਤਰ 6
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ਵਜੀ ਵਾਧਾਈ ਵਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਦ ਤੂਰੇ ॥
I have obtained the nine treasures, congratulations are pouring in, and the unstruck melody resounds.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 639, ਸਤਰ 16
ਜਾ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰ ॥
Everything is in His home, O Siblings of Destiny; His warehouse is overflowing with the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 722, ਸਤਰ 14
ਸਹੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸੋ ਦਿਨੁ ਲੇਖੈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
When the Husband Lord looks upon the soul-bride with His Gracious Glance, that day is historic - the bride obtains the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 1 

ਪੰਨਾ 754, ਸਤਰ 12
ਇਸੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥4॥
Within this body are the nine treasures of the Naam; contemplating the Word of the Guru's Shabad, it is obtained. ||4||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 857, ਸਤਰ 14
ਮਾਨੌ ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਜਸੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਦੇਵ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I know that all comforts, and the nine treasures, come to one who intuitively, naturally, chants the Praise of the Divine Lord. ||Pause||
ਭਗਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ 

ਪੰਨਾ 903, ਸਤਰ 16
ਤੁਝ ਪਹਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਤੂ ਕਰਣੈ ਜੋਗੁ ॥
The nine treasures are with You, Lord; You are potent, the Cause of causes.
ਮਃ 1 

ਪੰਨਾ 949, ਸਤਰ 11
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਚਲੈ ਤਿਸੈ ਰਜਾਇ ॥1॥
O Nanak, he alone obtains the nine treasures, who walks in the Will of the Lord. ||1||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 959, ਸਤਰ 9
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਾਗੁ ॥
The nine treasures, and the treasure of the Naam are obtained by commitment to the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 961, ਸਤਰ 16
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਤੇਰੀ ਖੁਸੀ ਤਿਨਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਭੁੰਚੀਐ ॥
One with whom You are pleased, obtains the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 967, ਸਤਰ 18
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਭਰਪੂਰੁ ॥
You are overflowing with the nine treasures, and the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
ਬਲਵੰਡਿ ਤੇ ਸਤਾ 

ਪੰਨਾ 1018, ਸਤਰ 17
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ਜੋ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਨਾ ॥5॥
The nine treasures, wealth and miraculous spiritual powers are obtained, by one who is pleasing to Your mind. ||5||
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 1057, ਸਤਰ 13
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਲਾਹਾ ਹੇ ॥2॥
The Naam, the embodiment of the nine treasures, abides within their hearts; they renounce the profit of Maya. ||2||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 1086, ਸਤਰ 1
ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ॥
. are found in the treasure of the Naam, which brings celestial peace and poise, and the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 1105, ਸਤਰ 12
ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਠਾਕੁਰਿ ਦਈ ਸੁਦਾਮੈ ਧ੍ਰੂਅ ਅਟਲੁ ਅਜਹੂ ਨ ਟਰਿਓ ॥3॥
Sudama's Lord and Master blessed him with the nine treasures; he made Dhroo permanent and unmoving; as the north star, he still hasn't moved. ||3||
ਭਗਤ ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਜੀ 

ਪੰਨਾ 1128, ਸਤਰ 17
ਮਨੁ ਖੋਜਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Examine your mind, and you shall obtain the nine treasures of the Naam. ||1||Pause||
ਮਃ 3 

ਪੰਨਾ 1144, ਸਤਰ 7
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
By God's Grace, I have obtained the nine treasures of the Naam.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 1156, ਸਤਰ 2
ਜਿਸੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਤਿਨਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
One who keeps the Naam in his heart obtains the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 5 

ਪੰਨਾ 1158, ਸਤਰ 1
ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਜਾ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਮੇਰੈ ॥
The Sovereign Lord is the nine treasures for me.
ਭਗਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ 

ਪੰਨਾ 1240, ਸਤਰ 10
ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Hearing the Name, the nine treasures are received, and the mind's desires are obtained.
ਮਃ 4 

ਪੰਨਾ 1249, ਸਤਰ 11
ਜੇ ਓਸੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਏ ਤਾਂ ਵਥੁ ਲਹੈ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥
If he focuses his consciousness, then he obtains the true object, and he is blessed with the nine treasures.
ਮਃ 3