Incarnation is a technical term, its definition as per the scriptures is – descent from beyond into the cosmic form. Ordinary living beings take birth and die bound by the bondage of Maya; God assumes a body for the salvation of living beings.
Questions Answered by the Text:
How does Sikhism view the concept of incarnation?
What is the difference between birth and incarnation?
Why would God take a form according to the Sikh Gurus?
How does Maya play a role in understanding incarnation?
Key Highlights:
The text clarifies a potential misunderstanding within Sikhism regarding the concept of incarnation.
It distinguishes between the birth of ordinary beings and the incarnation of God.
God, existing beyond Maya (illusion), takes a form to help living beings trapped within it.
The text emphasizes a technical definition of incarnation, separate from the cycle of birth and death.
Reader Takeaways:
The text offers a way to reconcile Sikh teachings with the idea of God taking a form.
It clarifies the difference between human birth and divine incarnation.
It provides a new perspective on God's intervention in the world.
Modern Sikh thought becomes uncomfortable with the discussion of the theory of incarnation. He feels that this is against the teachings of the Gurus. Undoubtedly the Gurus have written a lot against the theory of incarnation. But this attack is not against the theory of incarnation itself but against its misunderstanding. Incarnation is a technical term, its definition as per the scriptures is – descent from beyond into the cosmic form. The living beings are in the world of Maya, God is not in Maya. The One who is beyond this, comes into this so that He can save the living beings. Ordinary living beings take birth and die bound by the bondage of Maya; God assumes a body for the salvation of living beings. Therefore, taking a body by ordinary living beings is their birth, taking a body by God is its incarnation or manifestation. Excerpted from ‘Ajuni Saibhan’ Part 9.
This article is a translated excerpt from my ebook. For a more comprehensive exploration into this topic, check out my full ebook.
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