Gurmukhi Number Eight in Gurbani Illustrated

Atth the most simple common phonetic Romanized spelling of numeral eight of the Gurmukhi script. Atth sounds like ought and is pronounced so that the a sounds like u in cut and when tth is spoken the tongue curls to touch just behind the ridge of the roof of the mouth.

Atthvan, pronounce Ought-won, is the word for eighth. Guru Har Krishan is the eight guru of the Sikhs.

In Gurbani, the Sikh scripture of Guru Granth Sahib, the term pahar represents a watch, or unit of three hours, so atth pahar represents a twenty four hour period of time:

"Atthee peharee atth khandd naavaa khandd sareer ||
During the eight watches, destroy the eight (three qualities plus five evils) and the ninth, mortality (egoism) is conquered." SGGS||146

In the Sikh scripture asatt is also used in conjunction with the number eight and usually references sidhic, or yogic powers:

"Sagal padaarath asatt sidh naam mehaa ras maahe ||
All wealth and the eight miraculous powers are contained in the sublime essence of the supreme name." SGGS||203

According to Manmohan Singh in the appendix of his eight volume Steek, or translation of Sikh scripture, the asatt sidh, or eight supernatural powers are:

• Shape shift into the appearance of another.
• Increase or shrink body size.
• Make the body microscopic.
• Increase in heaviness.
• Be all persuasive.
• Read the minds of others.
• Ability to fulfill desires.
• Produce or obtain a desired object.

Other references to the significance of number eight include but are not limited to:

• Asatt saaj saaj puraan - eight chapters of the Puranas (Vedic scripture).
• Asatt dhaath - eight metals.