MrDoaba

I recall being told that my great-grandfather had some, what we would call supernatural, abilities. Apparently he could cure dog bites, scorpion bites and possibly snake bites too.
He did this all with secret Mantars recited under his breath along with some physical actions using various samagari.
These Mantars were never revealed and neither were their origin. Albeit children were told one had to go to the Shamshaan grounds at night to learn them, probably to sh1t them up.
And no this wasn't black magic or jadu toona. I guess it would be classed as some kind of Ridhi Sidhi as it was used for the seva of the community.
After constantly questioning my elders I found out that this practise was more widespread in the days of old. Most of the “treatments” I speak of were mainly for health related issues, anything from a tooth ache to the venomous scorpion bites mentioned above. Although, it wasn’t unheard of for people to have various other powerful Mantars such as those used to control fire and the flow of water etc.
As a youngster I was very curious and still am about this secret held by our Bazurg. As I got older I eventually concluded that these Mantars were most likely Sanatan in origin, given that various Devi Devte are attributed to specific protections.
Now before people start saying this had no place in Gurmat blah blah, understand I’m merely wanting to comprehend this in a historical and theological context. I have no interest in learning any Mantars and becoming a healer.
The point of my thread is to find out the origin of them and which if any, individual Devi Devte are associated with them along with any sakhis.
Any discussion and feedback is welcome!

Gurbani has everything, including mantars for health. I've met a practitioner who has such mantars, he is a natural dr, similar to a chiropracter. The rule with this particular mantar was that it only worked if he did not charge for it. he could accept donations, but not charge for his medical help. 
 
these all are in Bani as well. They come as a byproduct of kamai or you could specifically seek out different  mantars or powers etc.

Bro, are you sure the Mantars he recited were not from Gurbani? There are mantars in Gurbani, which can cure various diseases, after one has attained their Sidhi.
 
Children were being told the truth.
There are four places, where one can attain Mantar Sidhis
Cremation grounds Near Rivers Forests Caves  
Bhul chuk maaf

I can understand your curiosity, because of your family connection.  However, its best to stay away from these things.  Even if one uses these powers for good, they are still anti-gurmat.  I don't have any personal experience with it, I am including below what I have heard and read.
The practice involves going to graveyards and controlling spirits through dark knowledge.  The spirits resent this practice and the practitioner cannot have any offspring (Babies are killed usually before birth.  In rare circumstances a baby survives if a saint intervenes.).  I knew a man who practiced black knowledge in India, he told me that he chose to remain single rather than ruining his wife's life.
Below are some excerpts from 'Katharian Santah' its a bigraphy of Sant Sangat Singh ji Kamaliye Wale.  Sant ji hailed from a long line of saints which included Bhai Shamu Sachayar (a famous Sikh of Guru Har Rai ji).  Bhai Seetal Das ji, Sant Sangat Singh ji's father, was a famous Sikh preacher but was also involved in dark knowledge.  As a result, Bhai Seetal Das's offspring kept dying.  Sant Sangat Singh ji was born with the blessing of Sant Sangat Das of Sachi Dahri.  Eventually, Bhai Seetal Das's death was caused by one of the spirits he controlled.  Before passing away, Bhai Seetal Das ji made Sant Sangat Singh ji promise that he will stay away from dark knowledge.  The first excerpt describes briefly how these powers are attained.  The second excerpt is about spirits trying to kill Sant Sangat Singh ji when he was a toddler.
 
 

"How far would you go to stand up for human rights? In India, on the 16th January 2015 an 83yr old lifelong political activist went on hunger strike to force the Indian Government to free several political prisoners. He has now been hungry for over 500 days... Some continue to be detained long beyond completion of their sentence. Some have been tortured and falsely imprisoned. Others are arrested and just seem to disappear... This is the story of Surat Singh Khalsa, and his Hunger for Humanity."
Sangat Ji, ik benti,
In January 2016, UK based Documentary and Film Production Company GraySkull Media, managed to get an exclusive and secret interview with Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. Efforts are currently underway to raise funds for the production of a documentary.
Once the film is complete, if there are any profits made whatsoever from any sale of the film to a distributor or sponsor, the production team at GraySkull Media pledges 100% of the profits after production costs are paid, to the bereaved families of the 1984 Sikh Genocide and 2 other Human Rights charities, which will be selected by the family of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
Please share the link below and donate so we can show the world the activism and struggle of Bapu Surat Singh.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hunger-for-humanity-bapu-surat-singh-khalsa-india#/
Dhanvaad

"How far would you go to stand up for human rights? In India, on the 16th January 2015 an 83yr old lifelong political activist went on hunger strike to force the Indian Government to free several political prisoners. He has now been hungry for over 500 days... Some continue to be detained long beyond completion of their sentence. Some have been tortured and falsely imprisoned. Others are arrested and just seem to disappear... This is the story of Surat Singh Khalsa, and his Hunger for Humanity."
Sangat Ji, ik benti,
In January 2016, UK based Documentary and Film Production Company GraySkull Media, managed to get an exclusive and secret interview with Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. Efforts are currently underway to raise funds for the production of a documentary.
Once the film is complete, if there are any profits made whatsoever from any sale of the film to a distributor or sponsor, the production team at GraySkull Media pledges 100% of the profits after production costs are paid, to the bereaved families of the 1984 Sikh Genocide and 2 other Human Rights charities, which will be selected by the family of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
Please share the link below and donate so we can show the world the activism and struggle of Bapu Surat Singh.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hunger-for-humanity-bapu-surat-singh-khalsa-india#/
Dhanvaad