Does supernatural power exist? Are miracles real?

In a country like India, when a person produces vermilion or ash from their hands, brings out a watch from an empty hand, lifts objects using the eyes, bends a steel spoon, and performs similar acts, these are called miracles or supernatural powers. Such individuals who perform these so-called miracles are then regarded as sat purush (Self-realized person) and are even worshipped.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan gives us a perspective that is different from, and beyond worldly beliefs. He says that those who perform miracles are not sat purush; they are called magicians. True sat purushes who have progressed to great heights in spiritual practice do not perform miracles like producing vermilion, ash, or watches. Rather, the miracles performed by true sat purush are those through which we experience inner transformation, where peace and happiness arise within us. All other so-called miracles operate through magic and sleight of hand. People may be momentarily mesmerized by them, but no real benefit comes to them from such displays.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan gives a logical illustration against the belief in miracles and says that actually, there is no such thing as a miracle. And if you are someone who performs miracles, then why don’t you perform a miracle such that this country does not have to import food grains from outside. Just do that much, it would be more than enough! Perform such a kind of miracle. These people who produce ash and watches are merely fooling others! Why don’t they perform any other miracles? The same watch, the same ash, again and again! And if you can keep producing watches, then just keep producing them here so that all watches are made right here, and we would not need factories or have to import them from foreign countries. If miracles or supernatural powers truly existed, why is it that no one ever performs miracles where gold coins or currency notes start appearing everywhere? If that were to happen, people’s difficulties would actually be removed and something meaningful would be accomplished. But such things never happen.

Suppose a person takes a mango leaf and shows people an apparent miracle. If we then ask him to show the same miracle using a mahuda leaf, will he do it? No. He will say, “Give me only a mango leaf.” If it were truly a miracle, it should be possible with any leaf. In this way, when people do not understand how something is done, they assume that a miracle has occurred. People end up being fooled, and the person performing it also invites accountability upon himself.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan explains what the relationship is between miracles and superstition.

Questioner: Then what place do miracles have in life? Do miracles really lead one toward superstition?

Dadashri: All of this itself is superstition in the name of miracles. The one who performs miracles and talks about them is himself superstitious. He keeps fooling himself, yet does not realize it! I would teach you just this that we should ask the person who claims to perform miracles, “Sir, do you go to the toilet every day?”
If he says, “Yes,” then we should ask him, “Can you stop that? Or do you have control over it?” He will say, “No.” Then tell him, “If you do not even have control over going to the toilet, then why are you fooling all these people?

So, miracles have no place in life at all. Great beings like Lord Shri Krishna never spoke about miracles or supernatural powers so how could such powers exist in ordinary human beings? What has happened instead is that magicians have sprung up everywhere to deceive innocent people and take advantage of them. If a thoughtful scientist were to openly challenge them and say, “Whoever proves that this is a miracle will be given a reward of one lakh rupees,” they would all run away. No one would accept such a challenge. This is because the one offering the reward would conduct a thorough investigation, asking detailed questions, examining everything closely, and fully verifying the claims. Senior judges would be present, and the moment any sleight of hand or magic was detected, it would be exposed. Under such scrutiny, miracles would not survive.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan exposes the reality behind miracles in such clear words that they compel us to reflect on these worldly beliefs.

Questioner: All these people who produce watches and perform miracles, what exactly are they trying to prove by doing these miracles?

Dadashri: By performing miracles, they increase their own importance. By elevating their importance, they take full advantage of the herd mentality. They extract every kind of benefit, benefits related to the five senses, and benefits related to kashays (inner enemies of anger, pride, deceit and greed). They want to extract all kinds of gains. That is why we want to completely dismiss the very idea of miracles and say, “Do not get trapped in such miracles.” But the herd mentality is bound to get trapped, because it is driven by greed. And any person who is greedy cannot be called intelligent. An intelligent person does not have greed and where there is greed, there is no intelligence!

Therefore, wherever a miracle or supernatural power is seen, the first question that should arise is, “Will this bring any real change in my life?” or “Will I find a path to happiness and peace through this?” If the answer is no, then there is no need to get trapped in the superstition surrounding such miracles.

In some places, deities cause vermilion or rice grains to appear with the intention of generating faith among people. At times, nectar-like drops or saffron sprinkles are seen on idols of Bhagwan, or temple bells ring on their own. That is not false. Such occurrences strengthen people’s faith in God. The very next day, long queues form at the temple for darshan. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan shows the correct path and says that we should bow with devotion to the celestial beings and to God. However, if we wish to recognize the true God, progress on the vitaraag (absolutely free from all attachment and abhorrence) path, and seek the path of liberation that is free from the happiness and suffering of worldly life, then we should not get entangled even in such deity-caused miracles or supernatural powers. Instead, we should pray to that very God and to the deities, saying, “Please help reduce my anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and bring peace into my life.” Just as a small child runs when tempted with chocolate, human beings get pulled into superstition by the lure of personal gain. When the temple’s kalash moves, some people see it while others do not. Therefore, there is no need to go too deep into such matters. For those who see it, it is correct for them. But science does not accept such things. What science accepts should be regarded as truth; everything else is superstition.

What use is it to us if someone bends a steel spoon using a little mental power, lifts a table into the air, or moves objects without touching them? Yet today, long queues of people form just to witness such miracles. If our ignorance is removed and the Self is awakened within us, that is the true miracle. If we experience inner coolness and lasting peace in life, that is what is truly worthwhile. When the Soul is attained, permanent happiness and peace are attained. If there is any life-form that can attain the Self, it is this human birth alone. The place where we become certain that, from here, liberation from the pleasures and sufferings of worldly life will definitely occur, that alone is the true place. All the other miracles or supernatural powers are nothing but superstitions.