Re: SGGS & miracles
Posted by Jass Singh on Monday, 11/02/1998 6:09 PM MST

Dear veerji Jus Singh Sat Sri Akal Your posting was very insightful as regards the very crucial differentiation between the primary and secondary sources. That is why I was primarily interested in references to miracles in the primary source, the SGGS. I have found two so far. If there are more please enlighten. 1. "Bin naavai painan khaan sab baad hai; Dhig sidhi dhig karamaat; Sa sidh sa karamaat hai achint kare jis daat; Nanak gurmukh har naam man vasai; Iha sdh, iha karamaat." "Of no use is food and clothing, if God's Name is absent from mind; Show of occult powers and miracles is utterly detestable; Only that occult power and miracle, What He bestows on those who never crave for them; Says Nanak, godly men saturate their minds with God's Name; And that is real miracle and occult power." (Var Sorath M3 GGS p650) This verse seems to define what is a "real" miracle. 2. "Asat dasaa sidh kar talai, sabh kripan tumaaree." "Now, I hold the eighteen supernatural powers on the palm of the hand. All this is Thine Grace." (p 858 Ravidas). This verse seems to indicate that bhagat Ravidas had supernatural powers. Then there is mention of miracles in the Varan of Bhai Gurdas. When guru Nanak met the Sidhas they asked him, "What miracle have you displayed to the world?" Guru Nanak replies, "Nathji, I have nothing to show! I have no refuge other than God (Guru), the congregation of believers (sangat), and the sacred utterances (bani)." (Var 1.40). And later he adds: "Apart from the miracle of the True Name, I work no miracle."(Var 1.42/43). According Bhai Gurdas, if I understand it correctly guru Nanak's testimony from his own lips in the last line clearly indicates that he did no miracles. The janam sakhis are classified as hagiographic and hence scholars to not rely on them. Bhul chuk maaf. Love & regards Jass Singh.

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