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OCCULT POWERS - SIDHIS
A person may remain devoted to worship and adoration, bowing his
forehead to the floor, practicing the six religious rituals. He indulges
in egoism and pride, and falls into entanglements, but he does not
meet God by these devices. He practices the eighty-four postures
of Yoga, and acquires the supernatural powers of the Siddhas, but
he gets tired of practicing these. He lives a long life, but is born
again and again; for he has not realized God (sggs 642).
<><><><>
All miracles are illusion, the dictum of senses confined to time and space. Many bogus among the so called Baabaas, Pandits, saints, priest, astrologers, Saadhus, Yogis, Swamis, or Sidhaas consciously display such powers for insignificant things like impressing upon unsuspecting people for making new disciples and followers, amassing money, gaining fame and honor, securing material welfare and comforts of life, gaining recognition, seeking people's appreciation and attention, etc. As indicated by a Great Soul, the life of such mean and deluded Moodha or rascals is no different than a prostitute: They sell their body, mind and soul just as a whore does! As it will become more clear in the following pages, so long one consciously and selfishly exercises supernatural powers to produce miracles, that person cannot and will not transcend Maya (illusion, duality etc.).
Sidhis or Siddhis - supernatural powers - are mentioned to be eighteen in number. Of them, the eight are known as major and the remaining are considered minor. The eight principle Sidhis are as follows: the power to assume form as small as atom (Anima), as large as mountain (Mahimaa), as light in weight as air (Laghimaa), and as heavy in weight as the Earth (Grimaa); the power to attain anything desired (Praapati), to bring all senses under one's control (Vasitva), to have unhampered will (Prakaamaya), and the lordliness (Isha). The minor Sidhis are namely the power to be immune from hunger and thirst (Anooram), to hear from afar (Door Sharavan), to see from afar (Door Darshan), to travel fast like thought (Manoveg), to assume any desired form (Kaamroop), to enter into another's body (Parkaayi Parvesh), to die at one's own will (Sai Maritayaa), to enjoy meeting with gods (Surkareeraa), the fulfillment of desires (Sankalap Sidhi), and to go anywhere unobstructed (Apratihat Gat).
Therefore, before Self-realization, the practice or development of occult powers is among the greatest obstacles on the path to linking with one's Pure Being. The reason being is that it further cultivates or inflates egoity, and rebels against unconditional surrender of all our falsehood to God's Hukam (Will) or God-consciousness within. To make us aware of this grave danger, in the very outset of the SGGS, Baabaa Nanak in Japuji Sahib calls Ridhi and Sidhi (prosperity or good fortune and miraculous powers or accomplishments...) to be "Avaraa Saad" (external-inferior, hindrance, misleading extraneous tastes, etc.), opposing to the God's Way.
Even today, occultism in India is widely practiced, particularly in villages. Many people of deluded intellect practice some Spirituality for the sole purpose of gaining witchcraft, sorcery or occult powers - evil magic, black magic, tantar mantar etc. - to earn wealth, win lawsuits in courts, acquire property, bring downfall of others, inflict misery on innocent people, kill living beings, destroy which is virtuous and holy, promise children (particularly son!) to women, walk on water, fly objects in the air, predicts future events, to be-witch to whom we love, gain objects of desire, cure sickness, and other petty exhibitions of selfishness, foolishness, and delusion.
In the view of Spiritual hypocrisy, it is of no surprise to see so many cheaters in the garb of so called Indian and Eastern Yogis, Taantric and mystics pullulating all over India as well the West. They have made the mockery of the sacred science of Yoga. The word "Yoga" comes from the root "Yuj", meaning "Join". So, Yoga means the joining of the false ego (I-ness and my-ness) to the Supreme Self. Today's so called Yoga practice — which involves various sense pleasures, make-show practice of gymnastic like feats, indulging in sex and intoxication — are contradictory to the Yoga's principles. Since many of the so called Yogis are simply attracted to the occult powers (byproducts of Yoga or devotion), they or their disciples will not and cannot attain the stage of Spiritual Perfection.
Realized Men and the true scriptural texts boldly declare that the conscious practice to display miraculous powers is mean, foolish, poisonous, dangerous, wicked, miserable, spiritual blindness, mental delusion, material slavery, and spiritual imperfection. For this reason, they all tell us that by acquiring one of the Sidhis one may add a little to his power, but he will not be able to realize God. In this context, the scriptures thunder forth the following declarations:
The seekers can be divided into two types: (1) the Spiritual aspirants, and (2) the seekers of occult powers. To attain Spiritual Perfection or true success, the genuine seeker uplifts himself from sensory consciousness to Cosmic Consciousness. By his true love and devotion, the full spectrum of spiritual powers over mind and matter in time become manifest as he gradually sheds his coverings of delusion. However, the true Yogi or Spiritual aspirant (Gurmukh) disregards all inferior powers for the Supreme Power — God. On the other hand, the seeker of occult powers (Manmukh) discards the Supreme Power for the inferior occult powers and thus loses his way. Hence, the attainment of mastery over phenomenal creation bound in the framework of time and space is not a goal of the Spiritually Wise.
A person may remain devoted to worship and adoration, bowing his
forehead to the floor, practicing the six religious rituals. He indulges
in egoism and pride, and falls into entanglements, but he does not
meet God by these devices. He practices the eighty-four postures
of Yoga, and acquires the supernatural powers of the Siddhas, but
he gets tired of practicing these. He lives a long life, but is born
again and again; for he has not realized God (sggs 642).
<><><><>
All miracles are illusion, the dictum of senses confined to time and space. Many bogus among the so called Baabaas, Pandits, saints, priest, astrologers, Saadhus, Yogis, Swamis, or Sidhaas consciously display such powers for insignificant things like impressing upon unsuspecting people for making new disciples and followers, amassing money, gaining fame and honor, securing material welfare and comforts of life, gaining recognition, seeking people's appreciation and attention, etc. As indicated by a Great Soul, the life of such mean and deluded Moodha or rascals is no different than a prostitute: They sell their body, mind and soul just as a whore does! As it will become more clear in the following pages, so long one consciously and selfishly exercises supernatural powers to produce miracles, that person cannot and will not transcend Maya (illusion, duality etc.).
- ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥: Ridhi sidhi sabh moh hai Naam na basai mann aaye: Riches and the supernatural spiritual powers are all emotional attachments (egoism); through them, Naam - the Lord's Name - does not come to dwell in the mind (sggs 593).
- The Mother showed me that Occult powers are as abominable as the filth of that prostitute (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, 745).
- ਪਰਮਾਣੋ ਪਰਜੰਤ ਆਕਾਸਹ ਦੀਪ ਲੋਅ ਸਿਖੰਡਣਹ ॥ ਗਛੇਣ ਨੈਣ ਭਾਰੇਣ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਾਧੂ ਨ ਸਿਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਤੇ ॥੨॥: Paramaano parajant aakaasah deep loa sikhandanah. Gashhen nain bhaaren Nanak binaa saadhoo na sidhyate ||2||: Even if the mortal could reduce himself to the size of an atom, and shoot through the ethers, continents, worlds and their regions in the blink of an eye, even then, O Nanak, without the Holy (Guru), his life will not be fruitfull - Safal ||2|| (sggs 1360).
- ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਪੈਨਣੁ ਖਾਣੁ ਸਭੁ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਧਿਗੁ ਸਿਧੀ ਧਿਗੁ ਕਰਮਾਤਿ ॥: Bin Naavai painan khaan sabh baad hai dhigu sidhi dhigu karamaati: Without the Name, all food and clothes are worthless; (without the Naam) accursed are all Sidhee and miracles (sggs 650).
Sidhis or Siddhis - supernatural powers - are mentioned to be eighteen in number. Of them, the eight are known as major and the remaining are considered minor. The eight principle Sidhis are as follows: the power to assume form as small as atom (Anima), as large as mountain (Mahimaa), as light in weight as air (Laghimaa), and as heavy in weight as the Earth (Grimaa); the power to attain anything desired (Praapati), to bring all senses under one's control (Vasitva), to have unhampered will (Prakaamaya), and the lordliness (Isha). The minor Sidhis are namely the power to be immune from hunger and thirst (Anooram), to hear from afar (Door Sharavan), to see from afar (Door Darshan), to travel fast like thought (Manoveg), to assume any desired form (Kaamroop), to enter into another's body (Parkaayi Parvesh), to die at one's own will (Sai Maritayaa), to enjoy meeting with gods (Surkareeraa), the fulfillment of desires (Sankalap Sidhi), and to go anywhere unobstructed (Apratihat Gat).
- ਸਗਲ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਅਸਟ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਾਮ ਮਹਾ ਰਸ ਮਾਹਿ ॥: Sagal padaarath ashtsidhi Naam mahaa ras maahi: All wealth, and the eight miraculous spiritual powers are in the supremely sublime essence of the Naam (sggs 203).
- ਸਭ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਦਸ ਅਸਟ ਸਿਧਾਨ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਰ ਤਲ ਧਰਿਆ ॥: Sabh nidhaan das ashat sidhaan thaakur kar tal dhariyaa: All treasures and the eighteen supernatural powers of the Siddhas are held by the Supreme Being in the palm of His hand (sggs 495).
Therefore, before Self-realization, the practice or development of occult powers is among the greatest obstacles on the path to linking with one's Pure Being. The reason being is that it further cultivates or inflates egoity, and rebels against unconditional surrender of all our falsehood to God's Hukam (Will) or God-consciousness within. To make us aware of this grave danger, in the very outset of the SGGS, Baabaa Nanak in Japuji Sahib calls Ridhi and Sidhi (prosperity or good fortune and miraculous powers or accomplishments...) to be "Avaraa Saad" (external-inferior, hindrance, misleading extraneous tastes, etc.), opposing to the God's Way.
- ਆਪਿ ਨਾਥੁ ਨਾਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਅਵਰਾ ਸਾਦ ॥: Aap naath naathee sabh jaake ridhi sidhi avraa saad: (O Yogi!) God Himself is Naath (the Supreme Master), who (whose Hukam) controlls all; these Ridhi and Sidhi are all external tastes (sggs 6).
Even today, occultism in India is widely practiced, particularly in villages. Many people of deluded intellect practice some Spirituality for the sole purpose of gaining witchcraft, sorcery or occult powers - evil magic, black magic, tantar mantar etc. - to earn wealth, win lawsuits in courts, acquire property, bring downfall of others, inflict misery on innocent people, kill living beings, destroy which is virtuous and holy, promise children (particularly son!) to women, walk on water, fly objects in the air, predicts future events, to be-witch to whom we love, gain objects of desire, cure sickness, and other petty exhibitions of selfishness, foolishness, and delusion.
- ਕਿਨਹੀ ਸਿਧ ਬਹੁ ਚੇਟਕ ਲਾਏ ॥ ਕਿਨਹੀ ਭੇਖ ਬਹੁ ਥਾਟ ਬਨਾਏ ॥ਕਿਨਹੀ ਤੰਤ ਮੰਤ ਬਹੁ ਖੇਵਾ ॥ ਮੋਹਿ ਦੀਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਆਧਾਰਾ ॥੪॥: Kinhee sidh bahu chetak laaye. Kinhee bhekh bahu thaat banaaye. Kinhee tant mant bahu khevaa. Mohi deen har har aadhaaraa ||4||: Some work spells using the miraculous spiritual powers of the Siddhas. Some wear various religious robes and establish their authority. Some perform Tantric spells, and chant various mantras. (But) I meek have support of the Lord's Name (i.e., I only do His Bhagti)||4|| (sggs 913).
In the view of Spiritual hypocrisy, it is of no surprise to see so many cheaters in the garb of so called Indian and Eastern Yogis, Taantric and mystics pullulating all over India as well the West. They have made the mockery of the sacred science of Yoga. The word "Yoga" comes from the root "Yuj", meaning "Join". So, Yoga means the joining of the false ego (I-ness and my-ness) to the Supreme Self. Today's so called Yoga practice — which involves various sense pleasures, make-show practice of gymnastic like feats, indulging in sex and intoxication — are contradictory to the Yoga's principles. Since many of the so called Yogis are simply attracted to the occult powers (byproducts of Yoga or devotion), they or their disciples will not and cannot attain the stage of Spiritual Perfection.
Realized Men and the true scriptural texts boldly declare that the conscious practice to display miraculous powers is mean, foolish, poisonous, dangerous, wicked, miserable, spiritual blindness, mental delusion, material slavery, and spiritual imperfection. For this reason, they all tell us that by acquiring one of the Sidhis one may add a little to his power, but he will not be able to realize God. In this context, the scriptures thunder forth the following declarations:
- ਸਿਧੁ ਹੋਵਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਲਾਈ ਰਿਧਿ ਆਖਾ ਆਉ ॥ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ਬੈਸਾ ਲੋਕੁ ਰਾਖੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਮਤੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਭੂਲਾ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਤੇਰਾ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨਾਉ ॥੩॥: Sidh hovaa sidhi laayee ridhi aakhaa aayu. Gupat pargat hoyi besaalok raakhai bhaayu. Mat dekh bhoolaa veesrai teraa chit na aavai naayu ||3|| : If I were to become a Siddha, and work miracles, summon wealth and become invisible and visible at will, so that people would hold me in awe—seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind ||3|| (sggs 14).
- Riddhi siddhi prerai bahu bhayee. Buddhihi lobha dikhavahim ayee. Kal bal chhal kari jaahin sameepaa. Anchal baat bujhaavahi deepaa.....Kahiya taata so parama viragee. Trina sama siddhi teeni guna tyagee: O Brother, Ridhis and Sidhis entice man by showing greed to his mind. They use their cleverness, strength, and deception to make friend with him; and then destroy his wisdom. He is the greatest Vairaagee, or detached, who has renounced them (Tulsi Ramayan).
- The most wise ones say that those who are engaged in the cultivation of the sublime path of Bhakti (Devotion) or Giaan (Self-knowledge), and who are trying to link with Me (i.e., God), for them all these Sidhis are obstacle; because of these Sidhis, they end up uselessly wasting there time (Bhaagvata 11.15.33).
- These powers are obstacles to the highest spiritual realization (Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 3-37).
- There should be entire rejection of all allurements from all forms of being, even the celestial, for the recurrence of evil contacts remains possible (Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 3-51).
- If however a man consciously attempts to display Sidhis he will receive only kicks (Sri Raman Maharshi).
- I forbid you, O bhikkhus, to employ any spells or supplications, for they are useless, since the law of Karma governs all things. He who attempts to perform miracles has not understood the doctrine of the Tathagata (Buddha).
The seekers can be divided into two types: (1) the Spiritual aspirants, and (2) the seekers of occult powers. To attain Spiritual Perfection or true success, the genuine seeker uplifts himself from sensory consciousness to Cosmic Consciousness. By his true love and devotion, the full spectrum of spiritual powers over mind and matter in time become manifest as he gradually sheds his coverings of delusion. However, the true Yogi or Spiritual aspirant (Gurmukh) disregards all inferior powers for the Supreme Power — God. On the other hand, the seeker of occult powers (Manmukh) discards the Supreme Power for the inferior occult powers and thus loses his way. Hence, the attainment of mastery over phenomenal creation bound in the framework of time and space is not a goal of the Spiritually Wise.