Recently, I saw an online video in which a Sikh gentleman, well known and well respected by a certain section of our Sikh community, was talking about “Karamat” in Sikhi. What he said in Punjabi roughly translates as follows:
“There is no Karamat in Sikh religion, if there were Karamats than why did not the entire army who attacked Golden Temple in 1984 lose their eyesight, became blind and got defeated by some Karamat before it could attack the Golden temple. If there is Karamat then why did 5th Guru had to endure torture, why did 9th guru had to be beheaded and why did not the10th guru got rid of Wazir Khan by some Karamat before he could inflict any torture and death on his young children”.
This Sikh gentleman appears in many Gurmat related videos and uses “professor” as a title with his name although by his own admission he dropped out of school in grade 5 and did not have any schooling beyond grade 5.
His statement prompted me to share my thoughts on what he said in the video with the hope to encourage a dialogue on this issue of “Karamat” in Sikhi.
My immediate reaction to his words was a bit unsettling as I noticed a streak of narcissism in his tone and his message. To me his statement suggests that he either believes that his wisdom and intellect is as good and perhaps better than the Gurus’ because he seems to know what was in the minds of Gurus during these atrocious events or it is that the professor is trying to bring down the profound insight and wisdom of our Gurus down to his level.
What does Gurmat says about Karamat (Supernatural Powers)? When we talk about Karamat, I believe it refers to extraordinary abilities and capabilities that transcend natural laws and scientific explanation and includes levitation, clairvoyance, precognition and power to physically alter the physical body etc.
In GGS, supernatural powers are referred to as ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ. There are several references to these two words in Gurbani and also cautionary flags that these are emotional attachments and impediments for spiritual growth along the Naam Marg. These references and the cautionary reminder as to not engage in these practices is in fact an acknowledgement that these supernatural powers do exist in the material world (Maya), and some among us long for these power and acquire through meditative/yogic practices. As such, the existence of “Karamats” is not denied in Gurbani; however, its application is vigorously discouraged as these can promote emotional attachment to Maya and reinforce and inflame Humain (ਹਉਮੈ) in us. Baba Ram Rai the son of Gur Har Rai Sahib (7th Guru) was excommunicated for this very reason
ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
(Riches and the supernatural spiritual powers of the Siddhas are all emotional attachments; through them, the Naam, the Name of the Akalpurkh, does not come to dwell in the mind.)
ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥
(Serving the Guru, the mind becomes immaculately pure, and the darkness of spiritual ignorance is dispelled.)
Gurbani suggests if we are attuned to Naam, these supernatural powers can be at the beck and call of a spiritually elevated person.
ਰਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਭਜੁ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
(Riches, wisdom, supernatural spiritual powers and peace are obtained by meditating through Guru Gyan)
Guru Arjun Sahib (5th Guru) willingly endured the torture he was subjected to by Jahangir in 1606. In the scorching heat of May/June, he was forced to sit on a burning red-hot iron plate while boiling sand was poured over his body. Despite the intense pain to observers, Guru Sahib remained in a state of calm, meditating and reciting prayer. Was this divine endurance of intense torture an ordinary thing. Was it an ordinary power that was on display or was there some extraordinary power (Karamat) to endure the level of intense torture Guru Sahib went through with cool and calm composure. Guru Sahib was not in a state of ਹਉਮੈ to put up this display. With profound humility he accepted the Hukum and in this state of torture that he perhaps separated himself from the physical body that was being grilled on hot iron plate and showered with hot sand in the scorching heat of May/June. (Although many with scientific ideation or otherwise skeptical about Karamats may ask how. I would ask is there any possible explanation that someone can go through such extreme torture without any apparent emotion or discomfort and pain). This is possible as per Gurmat; Gurbani tells me ਜਿਹ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਮਰੰਥਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ (Those who meditate in remembrance of the True Guru, are blessed with wealth and prosperity, supernatural spiritual powers and the nine treasures.)
The same can be said about the beheading of 9th Guru and about the family sacrifices of 10th Guru.
Gurbani suggested that through Naam Simran and following Naam Marg as spelled out in Gurbani, one can elevate to such a level that these supernatural powers become subservient to such a person. But an intentional display of these acquired powers inflames Humain (ਹਉਮੈ ) and is vigorously discouraged in Gurmat. It suggests that it is possible that among us some elevated souls (Sant/ Bhagat) who have these superpowers to varying degrees.
Precognition is also a supernatural power and let us go to GGS (Ang 722).
Guru Nanak Sahib (1469- 1539) witnessed the devastation and atrocities during the invasion of Babul – the Mughal emperor who died in 1530. Seeing this devastation and atrocities, Guru Sahib in Babarvani foretold what was coming in 1540.
ਜੈਸੀ ਮੈ ਆਵੈ ਖਸਮ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਤੈਸੜਾ ਕਰੀ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥
(As the Bani comes to me, so do I express it, O Lalo)
ਪਾਪ ਕੀ ਜੰਞ ਲੈ ਕਾਬਲਹੁ ਧਾਇਆ ਜੋਰੀ ਮੰਗੈ ਦਾਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥
(Bringing the marriage party of sin, {Babar} has invaded by coming from Kabul, demanding our land as his wedding gift, O Lalo.)
…
…
ਸਚ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਸਚੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਸੀ ਸਚ ਕੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥
(Nanak speaks the Word of Truth; he proclaims the Truth at this, the right time)
ਆਵਨਿ ਅਠਤਰੈ ਜਾਨਿ ਸਤਾਨਵੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਭੀ ਉਠਸੀ ਮਰਦ ਕਾ ਚੇਲਾ॥
(Coming in seventy-eight (1521 A.D.), they will depart in ninety-seven (1540 A.D.), and then another disciple of man will rise up.)
History attests and presents evidence of Guru sahib’s power of clairvoyance. Babur died in 1530 and his son took over when in 1540 AD ( Bikrami 1597) Sher Shah Suri emerged (as Guru Sahib foretold) and expelled Mughals from India.
I leave it to the readers to assess whether this is a Karamat or not. The definition of Karamat includes precognition ( clairvoyance).
We have an emerging breed of Sikh Parcharks and some intellectuals who often question Guru Nanak Sahib’s disappearance in Ravi and about the authenticity of “Guru Sahib’s handprint” at Panja Sahib. I fully believe in the authenticity of these remarkable events based on what and how Gurbani informs me.
Many events and observation that many of us claim as unscientific and refuse to believe in their authenticity are not truly unscientific phenomena rather our science has not advanced enough to be able to explain them. "Higgs boson" is a prime and a somewhat recent example that should bring some humility in those with scientific ideation or are otherwise skeptical about Karamat in Sikhi. Gurmat is very clear; it vigorously discourages pursuits for these supernatural powers but does not deny their existence and suggests that they can be subservient to those few among us who elevate themselves through Naam.
Your Thoughts please.
“There is no Karamat in Sikh religion, if there were Karamats than why did not the entire army who attacked Golden Temple in 1984 lose their eyesight, became blind and got defeated by some Karamat before it could attack the Golden temple. If there is Karamat then why did 5th Guru had to endure torture, why did 9th guru had to be beheaded and why did not the10th guru got rid of Wazir Khan by some Karamat before he could inflict any torture and death on his young children”.
This Sikh gentleman appears in many Gurmat related videos and uses “professor” as a title with his name although by his own admission he dropped out of school in grade 5 and did not have any schooling beyond grade 5.
His statement prompted me to share my thoughts on what he said in the video with the hope to encourage a dialogue on this issue of “Karamat” in Sikhi.
My immediate reaction to his words was a bit unsettling as I noticed a streak of narcissism in his tone and his message. To me his statement suggests that he either believes that his wisdom and intellect is as good and perhaps better than the Gurus’ because he seems to know what was in the minds of Gurus during these atrocious events or it is that the professor is trying to bring down the profound insight and wisdom of our Gurus down to his level.
What does Gurmat says about Karamat (Supernatural Powers)? When we talk about Karamat, I believe it refers to extraordinary abilities and capabilities that transcend natural laws and scientific explanation and includes levitation, clairvoyance, precognition and power to physically alter the physical body etc.
In GGS, supernatural powers are referred to as ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ. There are several references to these two words in Gurbani and also cautionary flags that these are emotional attachments and impediments for spiritual growth along the Naam Marg. These references and the cautionary reminder as to not engage in these practices is in fact an acknowledgement that these supernatural powers do exist in the material world (Maya), and some among us long for these power and acquire through meditative/yogic practices. As such, the existence of “Karamats” is not denied in Gurbani; however, its application is vigorously discouraged as these can promote emotional attachment to Maya and reinforce and inflame Humain (ਹਉਮੈ) in us. Baba Ram Rai the son of Gur Har Rai Sahib (7th Guru) was excommunicated for this very reason
ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
(Riches and the supernatural spiritual powers of the Siddhas are all emotional attachments; through them, the Naam, the Name of the Akalpurkh, does not come to dwell in the mind.)
ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥
(Serving the Guru, the mind becomes immaculately pure, and the darkness of spiritual ignorance is dispelled.)
Gurbani suggests if we are attuned to Naam, these supernatural powers can be at the beck and call of a spiritually elevated person.
ਰਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਭਜੁ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
(Riches, wisdom, supernatural spiritual powers and peace are obtained by meditating through Guru Gyan)
| ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਭ ਸਿਧਿ ਹੈ ਰਿਧਿ ਪਿਛੈ ਆਵੈ ॥ |
| (Hearing the Name, all supernatural spiritual powers are obtained, and wealth follows along.) |
Guru Arjun Sahib (5th Guru) willingly endured the torture he was subjected to by Jahangir in 1606. In the scorching heat of May/June, he was forced to sit on a burning red-hot iron plate while boiling sand was poured over his body. Despite the intense pain to observers, Guru Sahib remained in a state of calm, meditating and reciting prayer. Was this divine endurance of intense torture an ordinary thing. Was it an ordinary power that was on display or was there some extraordinary power (Karamat) to endure the level of intense torture Guru Sahib went through with cool and calm composure. Guru Sahib was not in a state of ਹਉਮੈ to put up this display. With profound humility he accepted the Hukum and in this state of torture that he perhaps separated himself from the physical body that was being grilled on hot iron plate and showered with hot sand in the scorching heat of May/June. (Although many with scientific ideation or otherwise skeptical about Karamats may ask how. I would ask is there any possible explanation that someone can go through such extreme torture without any apparent emotion or discomfort and pain). This is possible as per Gurmat; Gurbani tells me ਜਿਹ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਮਰੰਥਿ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ (Those who meditate in remembrance of the True Guru, are blessed with wealth and prosperity, supernatural spiritual powers and the nine treasures.)
The same can be said about the beheading of 9th Guru and about the family sacrifices of 10th Guru.
Gurbani suggested that through Naam Simran and following Naam Marg as spelled out in Gurbani, one can elevate to such a level that these supernatural powers become subservient to such a person. But an intentional display of these acquired powers inflames Humain (ਹਉਮੈ ) and is vigorously discouraged in Gurmat. It suggests that it is possible that among us some elevated souls (Sant/ Bhagat) who have these superpowers to varying degrees.
Precognition is also a supernatural power and let us go to GGS (Ang 722).
Guru Nanak Sahib (1469- 1539) witnessed the devastation and atrocities during the invasion of Babul – the Mughal emperor who died in 1530. Seeing this devastation and atrocities, Guru Sahib in Babarvani foretold what was coming in 1540.
ਜੈਸੀ ਮੈ ਆਵੈ ਖਸਮ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਤੈਸੜਾ ਕਰੀ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥
(As the Bani comes to me, so do I express it, O Lalo)
ਪਾਪ ਕੀ ਜੰਞ ਲੈ ਕਾਬਲਹੁ ਧਾਇਆ ਜੋਰੀ ਮੰਗੈ ਦਾਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥
(Bringing the marriage party of sin, {Babar} has invaded by coming from Kabul, demanding our land as his wedding gift, O Lalo.)
…
…
ਸਚ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਸਚੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਸੀ ਸਚ ਕੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥
(Nanak speaks the Word of Truth; he proclaims the Truth at this, the right time)
ਆਵਨਿ ਅਠਤਰੈ ਜਾਨਿ ਸਤਾਨਵੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਭੀ ਉਠਸੀ ਮਰਦ ਕਾ ਚੇਲਾ॥
(Coming in seventy-eight (1521 A.D.), they will depart in ninety-seven (1540 A.D.), and then another disciple of man will rise up.)
History attests and presents evidence of Guru sahib’s power of clairvoyance. Babur died in 1530 and his son took over when in 1540 AD ( Bikrami 1597) Sher Shah Suri emerged (as Guru Sahib foretold) and expelled Mughals from India.
I leave it to the readers to assess whether this is a Karamat or not. The definition of Karamat includes precognition ( clairvoyance).
We have an emerging breed of Sikh Parcharks and some intellectuals who often question Guru Nanak Sahib’s disappearance in Ravi and about the authenticity of “Guru Sahib’s handprint” at Panja Sahib. I fully believe in the authenticity of these remarkable events based on what and how Gurbani informs me.
Many events and observation that many of us claim as unscientific and refuse to believe in their authenticity are not truly unscientific phenomena rather our science has not advanced enough to be able to explain them. "Higgs boson" is a prime and a somewhat recent example that should bring some humility in those with scientific ideation or are otherwise skeptical about Karamat in Sikhi. Gurmat is very clear; it vigorously discourages pursuits for these supernatural powers but does not deny their existence and suggests that they can be subservient to those few among us who elevate themselves through Naam.
Your Thoughts please.
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