SANT, commonly translated as saint—though not very accurately—for the English term, used in the adjectival sense saintly for a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence, has a formal connotation in Western culture. It is a modified form of sat, meaning lasting, real, wise, and venerable. Sat or Satya has been used since the Vedic times for the Ever-existent, Unchanging Reality or the Self-existent, Universal Spirit, Brahman, or God. The term sant came into vogue much later. The word occurs frequently in the ancient Pali literature of Buddhism in the sense of tranquil, true, or wise.
From Pali, it was resuscitated during the Middle Ages when the Bhakti movement took its birth. The epithet sant was usually added to the names of the Vaishnava bhaktas of Maharashtra belonging to the Vitthal or Varkari school, such as Jhandev, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram. According to R.D. Ranade in Mysticism in Maharashtra, “Now is almost a technical word in the Vitthal Sampradaya, and means any man who is a follower of that Sampradaya. Not that followers of other Sampradayas are not , but the followers of the Varkari Sampradaya are Santas par excellence.”
Within the Bhakti movement, there is a distinct Sant tradition clearly distinguishable from South Indian Shaiva bhakti and the Vaishnava tradition of Northern and Central India. The Sant bhaktas were essentially nonsectarian. They were strict monotheists and were opposed to Brahmanical ritualism, idol worship, and the caste system. Like other bhaktas, they valued the love relationship between the individual and the deity, but their deity—although usually given Vaishnava names—is the Absolute Reality: Unborn, Formless, All-pervading, Self-existent, nirguna (without attributes) God, who makes Himself manifest in the Name (nam), which may be uttered or meditated upon.
Nirguni bhaktas refute avatarvada (incarnation), but they believe that the sant, through living a life of piety and practicing nam, can attain final release. Through Bhakti, the term passed into the Sikh tradition. In the Guru Granth Sahib, there is frequent mention of the status and significance of the sant, a holy man who represents the salt of the earth and the hope of mankind.
Guru Arjan defines a sant thus:
“jina sasi girasi na visrai harinaman mani mantu
dhannu si sei nanaka puranu sol santu”
They who do not put away from their minds the Name Divine even for the duration of a breath or as they swallow a morsel are indeed blessed, O Nanak! They are the perfect sants (GG, 319).
Guru Arjan, in another hymn, says:
All the twenty-four hours of day and night,
He knows God to be close to his heart,
And to His will he cheerfully submits.
Name alone is the sustenance of the sant;
A sant considers himself to be the dust of the feet of all.
This, brothers, is the sant’s way of life;
Beyond my power is it to describe its excellence.
Name alone is their occupation,
In blissful kirtan do they find their peace.
Friend and foe are to them alike.
Besides their God, they acknowledge not another.
Myriad sins can a sant erase.
He is the dispeller of sorrow and the bestower of life.
Heroes true to their word are the sants;
Even poor maya is by them beguiled.
The gods themselves long for their company;
To have a sight of them is fulfilling in the extreme.
To be able to serve them is a blessing.
Nanak does with folded hands supplicate:
Grant me this favor, O Treasure of Merit,
That to the service of the sants do I dedicate myself. (GG, 392)
References :
1. Sabdarath Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1975
2. Randhir Singh, Bhai. Sant Pad Nirnai. Ludhiana, 1954.
Sant in Sikhism: The Embodiment of Holiness and Devotion
Introduction
The term Sant in Sikhism refers to a spiritually enlightened individual who embodies divine virtues and serves as a beacon of holiness and devotion. Derived from the Sanskrit root sat, meaning “truth” or “reality,” the word Sant signifies one who has realized the ultimate truth and lives in harmony with the divine will. While often translated as “saint,” the concept of a Sant in Sikhism carries unique connotations that go beyond the Western understanding of sainthood.
Historical Context
The concept of Sant gained prominence during the Bhakti movement, a spiritual renaissance that swept across India during the medieval period. The Sant tradition, distinct from other Bhakti streams, emphasized monotheism, the rejection of ritualism, and the importance of a personal connection with the divine. Figures like Kabir, Ravidas, and Namdev, whose hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, are celebrated as Sants for their profound spiritual insights and contributions to devotional literature.
The Role of a Sant in Sikhism
In Sikhism, a Sant is not merely a holy person but a living example of divine virtues. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, describes a Sant as one who constantly meditates on God’s Name (Naam) and lives a life of humility, selflessness, and devotion. The Guru Granth Sahib highlights the qualities of a Sant:
- They see God in all beings and treat everyone with equality and compassion.
- They remain detached from material desires and ego (haumai).
- They inspire others to walk the path of righteousness through their words and actions.
As Guru Arjan Dev Ji states:
“They who do not put away from their minds the Name Divine even for the duration of a breath or as they swallow a morsel are indeed blessed, O Nanak! They are the perfect Sants” (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 319).
Sant and Naam Simran
The practice of Naam Simran (meditation on God’s Name) is central to the life of a Sant. Through constant remembrance of the Divine, a Sant attains spiritual enlightenment and becomes a source of guidance for others. The Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes that associating with Sants and following their teachings can lead to liberation and inner peace.
The Sant Tradition in Sikhism
The Sikh Gurus incorporated the Sant tradition into Sikhism, enriching it with their unique teachings. While the Sants of the Bhakti movement often belonged to specific sects, Sikhism emphasizes the universality of the Sant. A Sant in Sikhism is not confined to any caste, creed, or religion but is recognized by their spiritual qualities and devotion to the One Creator.
Conclusion
The concept of Sant in Sikhism represents the ideal of a life dedicated to truth, humility, and divine love. By embodying these virtues, Sants serve as role models and spiritual guides, inspiring others to seek a deeper connection with the Divine. Their teachings, preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, continue to illuminate the path of righteousness and devotion for Sikhs and seekers worldwide.
