Main points:
- Miracles is a controversial topic. Many, if not all, scriptures are filled with description of miracles. Rationalists could consider miracles as an illogical and unrealistic aspect of religion.
- A miracle by definition is an event which cannot be explained by natural or physical laws. Not all laws are known today, and many will be discovered in future. So common knowledge of tomorrow may appear a miracle today.
- I believe miracles is a non-issue. Miracles are done by God. Once a person has accepted existence of God, the Creator of all there is, then possibility of miracles is always there. There will not be much that a Creator of world is incapable to doing.
- In fact, by definition, a God should be able to work miracles, and bend the natural laws. Anyone unable to create or bend laws of nature is not God.
- If a person has not accepted existence of an Omnipotent God then the person would not believe in miracles. In this case, belief in existence or non-existence of God has to be resolved first, which is an unsolved and much more important problem than finding out whether miracles exist.
- Miracles are not done by human beings (or spirits or other possible entities, if they exist). I believe anyone claiming to work miracles should be met with scepticism. Miracle working by human beings is most likely work of tricks (which is team work, or sleight of hand) or just use of obscure or hidden technology. When a scripture describes a miracle, it always points out that it was a work of God, and not a prophet or saint. A saint or prophet always describe unexplained incidents (miracles) as a work of God.
- Having said all of the above things, I believe there still remains a grey area, because my knowledge is limited. There are stories of miracles as an answer to prayers, stories of healing, curses, or other spiritual powers. I believe whatever they are, if they are true, they are based on working of laws not yet clearly known to me and also not known to most other people. Some people claim to understand them, some people claim to have some powers, but there is nothing conclusive in this area, and it is a matter of experimenting oneself and finding out. If these things are true they will be just like building muscles or practising an art form, the more you practice, the better you get. There are laws of prayer, laws of healing, or laws of breathing, etc. Whatever one decides to explore, one should remember that a life is short, and it is better to use it well, than waste it in chasing mirages. I have personally tried prayers and healing, but here too the actual miracle, if it happens, is done by God, as an answer to a prayer. Anybody can pray, but not all prayers are answered - A parent does not buy every toy that a child asks for!
- Regarding spiritual powers, I personally believe their only value, if they exist, is satisfying curiosity or performing unexplained tricks in this lifetime (without any eternal value); none of the prophets or saints spent time doing them nor widely taught them, so probably they are not worth spending time on, in my opinion.
- A final word on miracles - there is a concept in eastern spirituality called "Riddhi-Siddhi", which are a group of miraculous spiritual powers. Theoretically, there are many different ways for achieving them, like breath control, meditation, etc, but their utility is limited to current lifetime. They do not bring any eternal benefit to the practitioner, and instead could cause occurrence of incidents which may have adverse consequences for the practitioner in the long term. From a technical perspective these are not miracles, but just practices that have not been widely understood, and there are specific steps of achieving them. But few would be willing to explore and share the learning, as most such systems are based on secrecy, and as with all such things secret, the efficacy of such teachings is doubtful. The best way to achieve these spiritual powers, as per Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is by hearing and contemplating the Name of God (related verses given in this article). The best protection from such powers is also prayer and chanting the Name of God. From practical perspective it is very unlikely that we will come across a person who possesses these powers, nor is it likely that any of us would come to possess them (maybe not because the methods do not work, but because of lack of trying, motivation, and practice). I have never met such a person (who possesses any such powers), nor I expect to meet anyone. We only hear stories that cannot be verified. Hankering for them is pointless as their utility is limited, and this hankering should be actively avoided as it could actually become a roadblock to real useful spiritual progress, and is more like a unhealthy fixation or ambition. For a monotheistic believer, the Name of God, is the miraculous spiritual power.
Following verses from Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji present different perspectives on miracles, and my understanding of the same. In recent years there has been a practice of some religious community members to appear practical and rational, and thus they either ignore references to miracles in their own scripture, or say that the text describing miracle is symbolic (and not literal). In an attempt to appear scientific, some ignore their own scripture. Appearing scientific seems fashionable, but science too has plenty of unanswered questions.
But I personally believe anyone who believes in a Monotheistic, All powerful Creator of the world, God, cannot deny possibility of miracles done by God. Surely the Creator of the world should be able to do anything in His creation, bend the laws at will, and answer any prayers should He choose to! But we should always doubt the possibility of a miracle done by a human being, as a human being is bound by natural and physical laws, and for most part there is no reason why a human being can transcend a natural or physical law.
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Reference verses with commentary:
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Reference verses with commentary:
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ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥
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Translation:
Gives life to the dead.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 283:30]
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Commentary:
In this verse God is described as someone who is capable of giving life to the dead. If we think about it, God, who is someone who has created the entire world and all the life in it, will obviously be able to influence life and death.
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Commentary:
In this verse God is described as someone who is capable of giving life to the dead. If we think about it, God, who is someone who has created the entire world and all the life in it, will obviously be able to influence life and death.
If a person thinks that God is incapable of making life and death decisions for a person, or is unable to reverse these states, then probably the person does not believe in a God (as per monotheistic faith). A God bound by rules and laws of this world is not God as per monotheism (I have no knowledge of polytheism, and cannot comment on deities of polytheism).
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ਸੰਡਾ ਮਰਕਾ ਜਾਇ ਪੁਕਾਰੇ ॥ਪੜੈ ਨਹੀ ਹਮ ਹੀ ਪਚਿ ਹਾਰੇ ॥ਰਾਮੁ ਕਹੈ ਕਰ ਤਾਲ ਬਜਾਵੈ ਚਟੀਆ ਸਭੈ ਬਿਗਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਾ ਜਪਿਬੋ ਕਰੈ ॥ਹਿਰਦੈ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਕੋ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਧਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਬਸੁਧਾ ਬਸਿ ਕੀਨੀ ਸਭ ਰਾਜੇ ਬਿਨਤੀ ਕਰੈ ਪਟਰਾਨੀ ॥ਪੂਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦੁ ਕਹਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ਤਿਨਿ ਤਉ ਅਉਰੈ ਠਾਨੀ ॥੨॥ਦੁਸਟ ਸਭਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਮੰਤਰ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕਰਸਹ ਅਉਧ ਘਨੇਰੀ ॥ਗਿਰਿ ਤਰ ਜਲ ਜੁਆਲਾ ਭੈ ਰਾਖਿਓ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਫੇਰੀ ॥੩॥ਕਾਢਿ ਖੜਗੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਭੈ ਕੋਪਿਓ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਤਾਉ ਜੁ ਤੁਹਿ ਰਾਖੈ ॥ਪੀਤ ਪੀਤਾਂਬਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਣੀ ਥੰਭ ਮਾਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਖੈ ॥੪॥ਹਰਨਾਖਸੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਨਖਹ ਬਿਦਾਰਿਓ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਰ ਕੀਏ ਸਨਾਥਾ ॥ਕਹਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਹਮ ਨਰਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵਹ ਰਾਮੁ ਅਭੈ ਪਦ ਦਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੩॥੯॥
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Translation:
Translation:
Sanda, Marka, go and proclaim,Does not study, even we are tired, spent,Says Ram, claps to tune, spoiled all students.1.Says, I will chant Name,In heart, keeps remembrance of God.1.pause.King brought all Earth under control, queen entreats,Son Prahlad you do not obey, he decided something else for you.2.Meeting in company of wicked, resolved to increase his age immensely,Plunged, under water, fire, fear, King Ram protected, transforming nature.3.Pulling sword, death, fear, terrible, tell me, who protects you,The Yellow Robed, Lord of three worlds, within pillar God speaks.4.One who tore Harnaakash with nails, reassured demigods and men,Namdev says, I remember the same Narhar (God), Ram, giver of fearlessness.5.3.9.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1165:18-30]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse tells story of a devout devotee, Prahlaad. Prahlaad did not focus on learning prescribed by the powerful king, his father, and instead devoted time in practicing devotion to God. The king, Harnaakash, tries to kill his son for disobedience by throwing him off a cliff, into water and into fire. But each time God changes the laws of nature to protect Prahlaad. Finally the king tries to kill Prahlaad with his sword, but God appears and kills the king.
This is a famous story about Bhagat Prahlaad in Indian scriptures, and it has been recounted in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji also. I believe multiple versions of story exit. The reason to include this story here is to convey the point that miracles, like divine protection in this story, is the work of God and not of a human being. Second reason to include this story is to illustrate the point that scriptures do talk about miracles.
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ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ ਪੂਛੈ ਸੁਨੁ ਬੇ ਨਾਮਾ ॥ਦੇਖਉ ਰਾਮ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਕਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ਨਾਮਾ ਸੁਲਤਾਨੇ ਬਾਧਿਲਾ ॥ਦੇਖਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਗਊ ਦੇਹੁ ਜੀਵਾਇ ॥ਨਾਤਰੁ ਗਰਦਨਿ ਮਾਰਉ ਠਾਂਇ ॥੨॥ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹ ਐਸੀ ਕਿਉ ਹੋਇ ॥ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ਨ ਜੀਵੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੩॥ਮੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ਕਰਿ ਹੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੋਇ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੪॥ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹੁ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਓ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ॥ਗਜ ਹਸਤੀ ਦੀਨੋ ਚਮਕਾਰਿ ॥੫॥ਰੁਦਨੁ ਕਰੈ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਮਾਇ ॥ਛੋਡਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਕੀ ਨ ਭਜਹਿ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥੬॥ਨ ਹਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਪੂੰਗੜਾ ਨ ਤੂ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਇ ॥ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪੜੈ ਤਉ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਇ ॥੭॥ਕਰੈ ਗਜਿੰਦੁ ਸੁੰਡ ਕੀ ਚੋਟ ॥ਨਾਮਾ ਉਬਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਓਟ ॥੮॥ਕਾਜੀ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਰਹਿ ਸਲਾਮੁ ॥ਇਨਿ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਲਿਆ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੯॥ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਸੁਨੇਹੁ ॥ਨਾਮੇ ਸਰ ਭਰਿ ਸੋਨਾ ਲੇਹੁ ॥੧੦॥ਮਾਲੁ ਲੇਉ ਤਉ ਦੋਜਕਿ ਪਰਉ ॥ਦੀਨੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕਉ ਭਰਉ ॥੧੧॥ਪਾਵਹੁ ਬੇੜੀ ਹਾਥਹੁ ਤਾਲ ॥ਨਾਮਾ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੁਨ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥੧੨॥ਗੰਗ ਜਮੁਨ ਜਉ ਉਲਟੀ ਬਹੈ ॥ਤਉ ਨਾਮਾ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਰਹੈ ॥੧੩॥ਸਾਤ ਘੜੀ ਜਬ ਬੀਤੀ ਸੁਣੀ ॥ਅਜਹੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਣੀ ॥੧੪॥ਪਾਖੰਤਣ ਬਾਜ ਬਜਾਇਲਾ ॥ਗਰੁੜ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਆਇਲਾ ॥੧੫॥ਅਪਨੇ ਭਗਤ ਪਰਿ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲ ॥ਗਰੁੜ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਆਏ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥੧੬॥ਕਹਹਿ ਤ ਧਰਣਿ ਇਕੋਡੀ ਕਰਉ ॥ਕਹਹਿ ਤ ਲੇ ਕਰਿ ਊਪਰਿ ਧਰਉ ॥੧੭॥ਕਹਹਿ ਤ ਮੁਈ ਗਊ ਦੇਉ ਜੀਆਇ ॥ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਦੇਖੈ ਪਤੀਆਇ ॥੧੮॥ਨਾਮਾ ਪ੍ਰਣਵੈ ਸੇਲ ਮਸੇਲ ॥ਗਊ ਦੁਹਾਈ ਬਛਰਾ ਮੇਲਿ ॥੧੯॥ਦੂਧਹਿ ਦੁਹਿ ਜਬ ਮਟੁਕੀ ਭਰੀ ॥ਲੇ ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹ ਕੇ ਆਗੇ ਧਰੀ ॥੨੦॥ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹੁ ਮਹਲ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ਅਉਘਟ ਕੀ ਘਟ ਲਾਗੀ ਆਇ ॥੨੧॥ਕਾਜੀ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਬਿਨਤੀ ਫੁਰਮਾਇ ॥ਬਖਸੀ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੈ ਤੇਰੀ ਗਾਇ ॥੨੨॥ਨਾਮਾ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹ ॥ਇਹੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਤੀਆ ਮੁਝੈ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥੨੩॥ਇਸ ਪਤੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਹੈ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥ਸਾਚਿ ਸੀਲਿ ਚਾਲਹੁ ਸੁਲਿਤਾਨ ॥੨੪॥ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਸਭ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ਮਿਲਿ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਸਭ ਨਾਮੇ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੨੫॥ਜਉ ਅਬ ਕੀ ਬਾਰ ਨ ਜੀਵੈ ਗਾਇ ॥ਤ ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਕਾ ਪਤੀਆ ਜਾਇ ॥੨੬॥ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਰਹੀ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾਂ ਲੇ ਉਧਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੨੭॥ਸਗਲ ਕਲੇਸ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਭਇਆ ਖੇਦੁ ॥ਨਾਮੇ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ॥੨੮॥੧॥੧੦॥
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Translation:
Translation:
Sultan asks, listen O Nam Dev,Show your Ram's works.1.Sultan arrested Nam Dev,Show your God Bithula.1.pause.Restore life to body of slaughtered cow,Otherwise I will cut your neck immediately.2.King how can this happen,None slaughtered can live again.3.By my action, nothing can happen,Actions of Ram, only that happens.4.King puffed up in pride,Using ankus, enraged elephant.5.Nam Dev's mother weeps,Leave Ram, why not chant Khuda.6.Neither I am your son, nor you my mother,Body falls, even then I will sing glory of God.7.Elephant tries to hit with trunk,Nama Dev was saved by God's protection.8.Qazi, Mullah, salute me,This Hindu trampled my pride.9.King listen our request,Take gold equal to Nam Dev's weight.10.Taking wealth, then fall in Hell,Leaving faith, amassing world.11.Fetters on feet, keeping beat with hands,Nam Dev sings glory of God.12.If Ganga, Jamuna, flow in reverse,Then too, Nam Dev, will keep chanting Har.13.When seven gharhi were heard to pass,Even now the Lord of the three worlds has not come.14.Playing the instrument of wings,Riding eagle God came.15.Protects His own devotee,Riding eagle came God.16.If you say, I will tilt ground sideways,If you say, I will take and overturn it.17.If you say, I will give the dead cow life,Everyone will see and be satisfied.18.Nam Dev supplicates, fastens hind legs,Milked cow, uniting calf.19.Milking milk, when pitcher filled,Took and kept in front of the king.20.King goes in the palace,Time of difficulty came along.21.Qazi, Mulla, conveyed royal request,Forgive me Hindu, I am your cow.22.Nam Dev said, listen king,This test of faith, did I manifest.23.This test is only acceptable,Emperor, walk in truth, humility.24.Nam Dev saved, pervaded everywhere,Meeting, all Hindus, go to Nam Dev.25.If this time, cow did not revive,Then faith in Nam Dev would have gone.26.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1165:31-51, 1166:1-37]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This is another story in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji illustrating a dead cow coming back to life. An apparent miracle, but it was work of God. The king, sultan, challenges Bhagat Nam Dev to show works of his God. King gets a cow killed and challenges Bhagat Nam Dev to bring the cow back to life. King notes that if the cow does not come to life, then he would get the saint killed.
Bhagat Namdev tells the king that only God can do miracles. Finally God appears and brings cow back to life. As king asks for forgiveness, Bhagat Nam Dev tells the king that this test is acceptable only if the king learns to walk and live in truth and humility. This verse also emphasises that miracles are done by God.
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ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖਦਾਈ ॥ਜਾ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਅਜਾਮਲੁ ਉਧਰਿਓ ਗਨਿਕਾ ਹੂ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਪੰਚਾਲੀ ਕਉ ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸੁਧਿ ਆਈ ॥ਤਾ ਕੋ ਦੂਖੁ ਹਰਿਓ ਕਰੁਣਾ ਮੈ ਅਪਨੀ ਪੈਜ ਬਢਾਈ ॥੧॥ਜਿਹ ਨਰ ਜਸੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਿਧਿ ਗਾਇਓ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਭਇਓ ਸਹਾਈ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੈ ਇਹੀ ਭਰੋਸੈ ਗਹੀ ਆਨਿ ਸਰਨਾਈ ॥੨॥੧॥
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Translation:
Name of God forever gives peace,Remembering whom Ajamal was emancipated, Ganika found salvation.1.pause.Paanchali in king's court, realized Name of Ram,Taking away her grief, in His mercy, increased His respect.1.The person who sings praise of God, The treasure of mercy, God is his succourer,Speaks Nanak, relying on this, I have come to His protection.2.1.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1008:11-16]
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Commentary:
Commentary:
This verse highlights another miracle that is widely documented in scriptures of different religions in the Indian sub-continent. Paanchali, a queen, was wagered by her husband in a game of dice and lost. The winners planned to disrespect Paanchali in front of the court, but she prayed to God for help, and God protected her. The details vary from scripture to scripture, and have not been documented in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. But all scriptures agree that God performed a miracle to save a helpless woman in front of the king's entire court.
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ਨਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
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Translation:
Nine treasures, supernatural powers come by contemplating the pure Name.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 220:33]
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Commentary:
Commentary:
This verse gives the best way to gain different spiritual powers is by contemplating the Name of God. All Names of God which refer to the supreme creator are precious, and effective. The details of the miraculous powers is given in the next verse commentary.
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ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ॥
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Translation:
In the remembrance of God, there is supernatural powers, miracles, nine treasures.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 262:43]
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Commentary:
Commentary:
This verse tells that by contemplating and remembering God in meditation, a person can receive the supernatural powers known as Ridh Sidh and Nidh. It may be noted that remembering Name of God, Praising God, remembering God are similar tasks and complementary to each other. These powers have been described as:
(Following details have been taken from this forum post here: https://gurmatbibek.com/forum/read.php?3,36418)
Ridh - This power brings success, progress, and affluence.
Sidhis are 18, and divided into major and minor:
Minor Sidhis (10):
Door-Darshan - to see all, clairvoyance.
Door-Sarvan - to hear all, clairaudience.
Par-Kaya Parvesh - ability of soul/consciousness to enter other’s body.
Annuram - freedom from hunger and thirst.
Kaamroop - adopt desired form, ability to change the form to that of another person.
Savichhatt-Mirtu - to die at will, to die the way one wants to.
Sankalap Sidhi - to get desires fulfilled, to have all that one wants.
Apprittehatt-Gatee - ability to go anywhere without any hindrance or obstruction.
Mano-Veg - to go anywhere at the speed of thought.
Sur-Kareera - to have enjoyment along with demi-gods.
Major Sidhis (8):
Anima - ability to become very small.
Mahema - to become big.
Garima - to become heavy.
Laghima - to become light.
Praptee - to get success.
Prakamya - to read the minds of other people.
Eeshihta (Isatva) - power to persuade others.
Vashihta (Vasitva) - to control other’s mind, and self control.
Nidh - Nine treasures
Padam-Nidhi - attainment of sons, grand sons, gold, silver, precious metals.
Mahan-Padam - one gets diamonds, rubies and other gems and jewels (precious stones).
Kharab - riches of all kinds.
Kund - trading in gold.
Nil - trading in precious stones, jewels, and gems.
Sankh - delicious food.
Kachhap - clothes and food-grains in abundance.
Mukund - mastery in arts, music, and poetry.
Makar - gives the art of using weapons and sovereignty on others.
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ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਭ ਸਿਧਿ ਹੈ ਰਿਧਿ ਪਿਛੈ ਆਵੈ ॥ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਕਵਲਾ ਚਰਨ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਹਜੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਸਹਜੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ॥੭॥
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Translation:
Hearing Name, all supernatural powers are, miraculous powers come follow,Hearing Name nine treasures are obtained, acquire mind's wish,Hearing Name, contentment comes, god of wealth meditates at one's feet,Hearing Name, divine knowledge appears, easily finds peace,Obtain Name from Guru's teaching, Nanak sings virtues.7.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1240:25-29]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse tells the benefits of hearing the Name of God, and that it results in material as well as in spiritual benefits to a person (including supernatural powers). The Name of God is obtained from Guru's teaching. For Sikhs the Guru is Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and Guru Granth Sahib Ji gives details of different Names of Supreme God.
It is my belief that anyone willing to accept and respect the teaching of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is welcome to consider Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their own Guru. I am not a very religious person, but I have found that words of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have been very helpful for me, and have provided me guidance during my times of need and at other times also. Readers can search and access the translation and original verses online.
Some of the Names of Supreme God used in Guru Granth Sahib Ji are Satnam, Ram, Allah, and many others, and can be found in the following Youtube videos: https://youtu.be/DEKgmvT0cZk and https://youtu.be/OF7fNxSKtKk. Reader is encouraged to read Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to know the different Names of God.
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ਜਿਹ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਮਰੰਥਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
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Translation:
They who remember the True Guru, receive miraculous powers, supernatural powers, and nine treasures.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1405:28]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse highlights the same point as described in previous points. There are many verses in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which highlight these points, and I have included some of them here.
A True Guru, or teacher, is considered same as God. The definitions are nuanced and beyond the scope of current article, but remembering the True Guru is same as remembering Supreme God.
These verses give details of complementary actions like chanting Name of God, Praising God, hearing the Name of God, remembering God or True Guru, among others, all of which result in the practitioner gaining miraculous powers. How much time and effort would be needed for these powers to manifest? I am not sure.
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ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਪਾਇਆ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਰਣਿ ਪਇਆ ॥੧੧॥
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Translation:
Miraculous powers, supernatural powers, wisdom, knowledge received from Guru, wealth of salvation found in His refuge.11.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 907:4]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse highlights that one receives supernatural powers from the True Guru and teacher.
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ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ਜੋ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਨਾ ॥੫॥
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Translation:
They who are pleasing to Your mind, receive nine treasures, miraculous powers, supernatural powers.5.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1018:31]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse highlights that God grants these powers when he wishes to grant them to someone with whom He is pleased. These verses show different ways in which a person can come to possess supernatural powers. Some of the methods are related or have some overlap.
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ਜਉ ਹਰਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਚਾਹਤ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੁ ਕਰੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥੫॥੯॥
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Translation:
My mind, if you wish for all wisdom, miraculous, spiritual powers, do Guru Guru Gur.5.9.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1400:4]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse instructs the mind to chant 'Guru', or Name of the Guru, to receive supernatural powers and wisdom. The True Guru is an aspect of Supreme God which instructs and guides us.
Wisdom (Budhi) is again characterized by following qualities or aspects (List and explanation taken from https://gurmatbibek.com/forum/read.php?3,36418):
Bharosa - faith and dependence on God.
Leenta - an absolute attachment (absorption) to God.
Santokh - contentment.
Detachment - from the dear ones and the worldly possessions.
Hukam - acceptance of the will of God. It is total surrender to Him.
Sehaj - equilibrium, equipoise.
Anand - perpetual delight, permanent joy.
Vismaad - ecstasy, joy plus wonderment.
Nidar - benevolence of God. He believes in the mercy of God as an instrument of his attainments, and that his own efforts mean nothing.
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ਕਰਿ ਅਨੁਗ੍ਰਹ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੀਨੇ ਏਕ ਨਾਮ ਅਧਾਰ ॥
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Translation:
By grace He protects those who take support of Name.2.103.126.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1228:24]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse tells that people who take support of God's Name are protected by God. This protection includes all protection, protection from physical or supernatural things or powers. I understand words, "take support", as believing in God, believing in power of Name of God, chanting and remembering the Name of God, specially in one's time of distress or need, and in prayer.
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ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਏਹਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਏਹਾ ਕਰਮਾਤਿ ॥੨॥
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Translation:
Nanak, God's Name rests in the mind of the Gurmukh, this is occult power, this is a miracle.2.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 650:16]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
This verse tells that when God's Name rests in a person's mind, then this in itself is a occult power and a miracle (By resting in mind means, accepting Name of God as a Supreme support).
This verse is difficult to understand, without more context and information, and I only present the translation of verses related to supernatural powers.
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ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
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Translation:
Miraculous powers, occult powers are all worldly attachments, Name does not rest, or come to mind.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 593:32]
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Commentary:
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Commentary:
Final verse in this post deals with the risks of pursuing supernatural and miraculous powers. If a person tries to possess them, then they are worldly attachments which can hinder a person's spiritual progress. They can result from spiritual life of a person, but in themselves they are just worldly attachments or possessions which will not benefit the soul, as they deal with physical and material attainments only.
People could feel that pursuing these powers is a spiritual or religious path, but in fact it is not, as this verse warns. By going after these powers, a person risks losing attachment to Name of God, which is a terrible misfortune. So this verse guides a spiritual person to understand and accept the Name of God, and stay away from pursuing (or using) spiritual and miraculous powers.
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