Dear: Antonia (a.k.a.: aad0002) ji
I chose to focus on Guru Arjan because VaheguruSeekr seemed to be a bit disheartened by what had happened to him, as well as because he is one of the most interesting and admirable of the Gurus that I remember from the 'Sikhism for Dummies' book (not really the title, Ha Ha) that I read before taking the chance of insulting anyone on this site! The most interesting and admirable is, of course, Guru Nanak; as he showed that he was especially wise when he told the Imam, in Meccah, to "Please point my feet in the direction that God is not" after he fell asleep with them pointing towards the Kabah!
To answer your question: The 'Miracle' of Guru Arjan, if you wish to dispute VaheguruSeekrs' point about Sikhi not having miracles, was his unshakable Faith!!!
As far as the rest of your questions are concerned, I'll have to ask you to forgive my lack of knowledge of Punjabi and my fading memories of my youthful investigations of the Ghitas and Upanishads (and yes, I know, Sikhi are not Hindus - but you share many of the same cultural references), and do my best to render an opinion that will be both respectful and respectable - while clicking between SPN, Wiki, and a Punjabi Gloss.
Like most Religous Works of Great Merit, which the Gurbani truly is one of (though you are the first 'humans' to have introduced me to it's wisdom), much of what it contains is metaphorical, not literal, as it is meant to inspire. It was also written long before our modern age, and thus it is full of cultural adn religious references that - though they still have meaning to all of us - are 'of there time'; with a good example being the 'ten-headed serpent' stiring the oceans, the Sumayr Mountain (correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the central peak of the Ghitas - the one with the vessel of Ghee atop it, that the mere one-headed serpent wrapped itself around and stirred.......the Beautiful Woman {Mata?}, etc. etc.), as we all know that serpents can't stir up oceans, and that this is clearly and allegorical allusion to the 'world making/world changing' power of a truly enlightened being, like Guru Arjan.
In short; this passage is a respectful eulogy of a Mahatma of the Highest Calibre; it contains imagery that speak of the rewards that are bestowed upon those of true faith, with the intent of inspiring (describing Wisdom as 'Jewels', for example. In other Asian Beliefs, it's Lakes of Gold with Beaches of Diamonds lined by trees with Emeralds hanging from their branches) those who are not yet 'there' spiritually; those who have only toil and are rewarded only with want.
The promise of an eternal supply of Ghee and Flour; protection from a Guardian whose Bow is loaded by your Praise of the Lord; the allusion (note that this word starts with 'a' and does not refer to an Illusion!) of Guru Arjan rising as the Sun to cast aside the Darkness; it's all metaphorical - but apt, beautiful, and, though it should not bne taken literally, it is not in any way meant to be misleading.
I hope this doesn't disapoint you, or make you think that I question the Greatness of the Gurus - I don't; it's just that, like the Great Buddhist Guru Rinpoche, Nanak et al had to compete with Fire-breathing Dragon Gods - who demanded your teenaged daughters sacrifice! (well, maybe not quite that bad; as it was, after all, the 1500's), or they'd smote your fields - and thus they, perhaps, used the word 'miracle' a little too liberally.
It was, however, for a Good Cause - and thus was not Wrong; and there are People, Gurus' and otherwise, who've had The Lord create for them a Miraculous Thing so that they'd be able to gain the respect that they needed to be able to Teach others.
Still, don't count on them to happen - The Lord works in Mysterious Ways; and Hirm has set this place up as a Classroom - with a Karma-based curriculum (see previous post for my thoughts and observations on that) - to teach us the finer details of the difference between Good and Bad; so neither you nor your People nor your State nor your Rulers nor your Gurus' should ever count on a 'miraculous bail-out' from whatever troubles you might be experiencing!
You might just be helping some one learn to be 'Gooder' - by suffering through their being 'Badder'; which is a Loving Kind and Truly Compasionate thing to do - even if it stinks at the time!
Just don't tell the 'vengful, vindictive God' People - who think the wporld is 'pure', and that all 'bad things' are evidence of 'sin' or the need to 'appease' said God - that I said that; they might decide that I'm endorsing evil, and that I thus need some more of it in my life - just to screw with me for refusing to accept their own foolish beliefs.:inca:
O.K.?
I hope this both pleases and enlightens.
