Gurbani Defines ‘Sant’

The word ‘sant’ (ਸੰਤ) is derived from the Sanskrit Satt-ਸਤ (meaning Truth or Creator who is in existence) and seen to have several literal interpretations in English language.

However, outside the compass of Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), this title is used for a certain group or class of people who self-proclaim themselves to be spiritually elevated human beings and label themselves as ‘sant‘.

Such a definition and application of the self-labeled title or word ‘sant’ has NO place in Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak, hence NOT supported by Gurbani in SGGS. In fact the use of the word ‘sant’ (ਸੰਤ) for a collective group or class of persons is critiqued in SGGS.

Although this term (along with many more) have been mentioned in the SGGS as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but it has been mentioned explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS).

Since the Gurbani in SGGS addresses the human mind, it’s the human mind that has to become a sant, saadhoo, Sikh, Jan, Gurmukh, Bhagat, Daas etc.!

History bears NO record of any one SIKH having the
title ‘sant’ (ਸੰਤ) from after the Guru period from 1708 till the early twentieth century.

Since our Gurus did NOT support the use of such ‘spiritual’ titles, NO Sikh was ever referred to or addressed as ‘sant‘ during the entire Guru period of 1469 till 1708. ‘Bhai‘ (ਭਾਈ) was the preferred title then.

This title of ‘sant’ was first given by the British to some soldiers in the British Army in Punjab in the beginning of the twentieth century. They were sent by the British to various parts of Punjab to do their bidding – to divide and weaken Sikhs, and to distort and corrupt Baabaa Nanak’s Unique and Revolutionary Gurmat and Universal Message of the Gurbani (SGGS). To impress simpletons, ignorant and foolish people, this British bestowed title of ‘sant‘ was publicize by their British handlers through concocted stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ) of the ‘miraculous abilities’ of these so called ‘sants‘.

The Word ‘Sant’ in Gurbani

This word ‘SANT’ appears to have been used in the Gurbani (SGGS) in both ‘singular’ form and ‘plural’ form in the following contexts:

(1) In ‘singuar’ form, it appears for the ONE Creator (God, Hukam or Universal Energy…) in the SGGS.

• ਹਮਰੋ ਭਰਤਾ ਬਡੋ ਬਿਬੇਕੀ ਆਪੇ ਸੰਤੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥: My Husband (i.e. God) is Greatly discerning; He alone is called Sant (the Creator, God (Hukam: System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature…). (sggs 476).
• ਭਾਗੁ ਹੋਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥: It’s my fortune, by the Giaan-Guru I have United with God. I have met (understood, realized) the Immortal God within the mind. (sggs 97).

(2). In ‘singular’ form, it also appears for the Guru in the SGGS.

• ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸਤ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ : The Divine Guru (Har Kaa Sant) is Creator Connected (Sat Purkha) and Creator Connecting (Sat Gur) and Discourses Omnipresent Creator Related Banee (Boley Har Har Banee). (sggs 667).
• ਸੰਤ ਕਾ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਪਉੜੀ ਕੋ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਪਾਏ ॥ : The Path (Maarag) of Dharam (Spirituality) is established step by step (Pauree)
  by the Guru and realized (Paaye) through the blessings of the Guru. (sggs 622).

(3). In ‘plural’ form, it appears for the sincere seekers (e.g. Santahu, Santan etc.). Since the root of the word SANT is Satt-ਸਤ (meaning Truth or Creator who is in existence), the meaning of Sant is ‘one seeking to connect with SATT – Truth or Creator’. Seekers of SATT (the Creator Within) is what the Gurbani in SGGS wants us to be.

• ਆਵਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰਿਹੋ ਅਕਥ ਕੀ ਕਰਹ ਕਹਾਣੀ ॥: O (Guru’s) dear Satsangi Jan! Let us (together) talk about the indescribable Creator. (sggs 918).
• ਸੰਤਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਿ ਨਿਸਤਰੀਐ ॥ : O Sikhs (seekers of the Creator), the Way to Successful Spirituality is through the Divine Naam (Virtues, Giaan-Wisdom). (sggs 621).

(4). This word SANT also appears in the Gurbani (SGGS) for a critiqued class or group of people outside the confines of Gurmat who either proclaim themselves ‘sant‘, label themselves as ‘sants‘, add it to their names, use it as a title, or desire to be called such by others. and define themselves according to a certain identity comprising of dress and symbols as well as religious robes, religious paraphernalia (Maalaa – rosary and Nibug Lotey – shining begging bowls) etc.

They are termed in the Gurbani as ‘Baanaaras Kay Thugg-ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’ meaning Thugs of Baanaaras – fraudulent or conmen proclaiming themselves as ‘sant‘ or self-proclaimed cheats.

• ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥ ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥ ਐਸੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਭਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਡਾਲਾ ਸਿਉ ਪੇਡਾ ਗਟਕਾਵਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Who have rosaries around their necks, and glittering jugs in their hands, (just because of such religious paraphernalia) they should not be called the Divine’s Sant — they are thugs of Baanaaras (i.e., religious conmen, robbers, cheats…). Such sants are not pleasing to me. They devour (trees including) stems and branches (i.e. who do not even hesitate to kill human beings for the sake of Maya, etc.). (sggs 476).

Here is a clear injunction of not to proclaim oneself as sant in Sikhi based on an external identity, because it would mark a spiritually corrupt mind. This is the Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):

• ਹਿਰਦੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੈ ਕਪਟੁ ਵਸੈ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਕਹਾਹਿ ॥ : The desire to be labelled as ‘sant‘ based on an external identity signifies a corrupt mind. (sggs 491).

Thugs of Baanaaras

The question one may ask is why does the Gurbani critiques and call them the ‘Thugs of Baanaaras‘ who either proclaim themselves ‘sant’, add it to their names, use it as a title, or desire to be called such by others. The reason is that:

1. the so called sants are bloated with Haumai (i.e. false ego-sense), consequently
2. they think they are superior than the lay persons,
3. it is anti‐Gurmat or Sikhi to call one’s self higher than others,
4. they are dishonest and crafty group who misguide and swindle people, specifically the simpletons and unsuspecting people,
5. our Gurus neither use ‘spiritual’ titles themselves not support the use of these titles. The accepted honorific in the Gurmat or Sikhi is of ‘BHAI-ਭਾਈ’ which denotes equality and brotherhood of mankind.

But still there is a huge crowd of self-proclaimed sant-saadh-baabaa (fraud, thugs) in the Sikh community now-a-days –  by some estimates about 20,000 Deraa outfits in the villages of Punjab and each is owned and run by a self‐proclaimed ‘sant’! Not only in India, they are also pullulating Gurdawaras all over the world, specially in the West. It is easy money, tax free! Additionally, when western currency is converted to Indian, it multiplies!

In short, it’s a business of no investment and no loss but all gain!

Also, when one is presented as a ‘sant‘ in the media, one’s criminal record and nefarious activities become obscured. They are sant at the physical body-frame or robes (Bhekh-ਭੇਖ) only, not at the level of the mind or Aatmaa — acting without Being! In short, they look Mahatma outside but are fraud inside!

The Gurbani calls such crooks the ‘Thugs of Baanaaras‘, whose mind is filled with craftiness!

On account of greed and ignorance of the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS, their main goal is to keep people mentally slave, fearful, and greedy. This helps them maintain their luxurious lifestyle of ‘freeloaders’ (ਮੁਫਤ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀਆਂ, ਵੇਹਲੜ ਅਤੇ ਐਸ਼ਪਰਸਤੀ ਦਾ ਜੀਵਨ…).

Bhai Gurdaas Ji says all these crafty and crooks who call themselves ‘sant‘ indulge in doing ‘APRAADH’ (crimes, wrong-doings, transgressions, ਮੁੰਡੇ ਦੇਣੇ, etc.).

• ਸਾਧਨ ਦੁਰਾਇ ਕੈ ਅਸਾਧ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਕਰੈ ਉਲਟੀਐ ਚਾਲ ਕਲੀਕਾਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਭਾਖੀਐ ॥੫੩੨॥: Present themselves as Sasdhs and produce other similar means; but they indulge in doing ‘APRAADH’ (crimes, wrong-doings, transgressions, etc.). These are people who went backwards (contrary, opposite, reverse, etc.). Because man (ਆਮ ਆਦਮੀ) is in delusion, he does not understand this. (Bhai Gurdaas, Kabitt 532).

‘Sant Rahat’

The Gurbani (SGGS) in the following Shabad uses the word ‘Sant Rahat’. ‘Rahat‘ means Discipline, Code, Rule, Law, Order etc. Hence ‘Sant Rahat’ means the creator’s Hukam: System-Rule-Law-Order. The Gurbani Instructs the Mind to Internalize this ‘Rahat‘:

• ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਮਾਨੈ ॥ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤਨ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੇ ਸਭ ਕੀ ਪਗ ਛਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਸੰਤ ਰਹਤ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਉਆ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਵਰਤਣਿ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥ ਅਨਦ ਰੂਪ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਤ੍ਰੁ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਏਕ ਸਮਾਨੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ॥੨॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਅਘ ਕਾਟਨਹਾਰਾ ॥ ਦੁਖ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਨ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਦਾਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਸੂਰਬੀਰ ਬਚਨ ਕੇ ਬਲੀ ॥ ਕਉਲਾ ਬਪੁਰੀ ਸੰਤੀ ਛਲੀ ॥੩॥ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਸੰਗੁ ਬਾਛਹਿ ਸੁਰਦੇਵ ॥ ਅਮੋਘ ਦਰਸੁ ਸਫਲ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ॥ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਰੇ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ ਮੋਹਿ ਸੰਤਹ ਟਹਲ ਦੀਜੈ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ॥੪॥੩੭॥੮੮॥ : (O Mind) Realize the (Hukam) Within Always. Submit to the Will of the Creator. Divine Naam Nourish Seekers of Realization. They Become (Naam) and Remain in Humility. ॥1॥ O my Mind! Internalize the ‘Rahat’ (Discipline, Code, Rule, Law, Order; Hukam) of the Creator. It’s value (to my spirituality) is beyond narration. ||1||Pause|| Divine Naam (Virtues, Giaan-Wisdom…) is my sole daily sustenance. (My Spirituality) has Become Blissful, Melodious and Peaceful. In Such (Bliss and Peace), Humankind Becomes One. I Realize None Other Than My Creator in All. (Such Realization of) the Provider of My (Spiritual) Life Eradicates All Anguish and Eliminates Sorrow. My Guru’s Spiritual Messages are Courageous and Potent. Through them, I Overcame Wretched Temporal Materialism (Maya). My Divinity (Surdev) Desires the Company (of that Guru). His Messages Are Invaluable and Discipleship Worthy. Nanak Supplicates in Humility. (Please let me) be the Disciple (Sikh) of the Guru Who Provides Me with A Treasure of Divine Virtues. ||4||37||88|| (sggs 392).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਕਾਟੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੂਰਿ ॥: Meeting the Guru Sant, spiritual coolness or tranquility is obtained, and the (Guru-Giaan or Wisdom) cuts off all the sorrows causing transgressions. (sggs 1198).
• ਜਾਨੀ ਸੰਤ ਕੀ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾਈ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੀਨੋ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਸੰਜੋਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਚਰਣਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਗਾ ॥ ਧੰਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਸਭਾਗਾ ॥ : (Now) I have understood the value of the friendship of the Guru (i.e. Giaan or Wisdom). (The Guru) has graciously given (me) Naam (Giaan or Wisdom, Virtues…). Due to my previous efforts (of this very life) I have obtained this Guru’s Giaan or Wisdom. ||1||Pause|| Now my mind is attached to the Gurur’s Wisdom (guru’s Charan = Gurur’s Giaan or Wisdom). What a Blessed and Fortunate time is this that I’m United with (with the Gur-Giaan or Wisdom)! (sggs 898).

The Gurmat’s Sant is not a specific person…

The Way of the Gurbani (SGGS) is the Way of understanding. It helps us gain understanding, Virtues, Realization of Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature), our mind’s Jot Saroop or True Nature (Mool …), how our mind can become free of vices / Bikaar (lust-desires, anger, greed, attachment, pride and their numerous variations), and so on.

In short, the Giaan-Guru makes us understand the real Sant Within.

Apparently this word ‘sant’ used in the SGGS is not for a specific person wearing a specific robes, exhibiting a specific external appearance, displaying specific outward signs or symbols, specific or peculiar religious attire (Bhekh-ਭੇਖ or religious paraphernalia) etc.

• ਮਾਨੁਖ ਕੀ ਟੇਕ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਦੇਵਨ ਕਉ ਏਕੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥ : (O human) realize that dependence on other people (to give you Wisdom/Virtues as a readymade package, or to get rid of your own vices/Bikaar etc.) is in vain. The ONE Creator is alone potent to provide. (sggs 281).

Sant is a Thinking (the mind’s ‘Biratee- ਬਿਰਤੀ’ or ‘Subha-ਸੁਭਾ’, Nature, pastime, aptitude, instinct, tendency etc.).

Such sant ‘Biratee– ਬਿਰਤੀ’ or ‘Subha-ਸੁਭਾ’ or Thinking can be of any person — a doctor, an engineer, a farmer, a home-maker, a businessmen, a laborer, a teacher, a cobbler, a weaver, a barber, a tailor, an educated or uneducated person, a person of so called high or low Jaat Paat, a rich or poor, wife, husband, a child, a brother, a sister, a white person, a black person, etc.

Such Enlightened mind can be of anybody — who is good and beneficial to the society; They don’t divide people as countless fake or phony sants are doing.

Clearly, the Gurbani treats the entire human kind as equal — ‘Bhai Bhai‘; NO high or low; NO touchable or untouchable etc.

• ਞਾਣਹੁ ਇਆ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਹੀ ਚਿਤ ਝੂਠਉ ਮਾਇਆ ਰੰਗੁ ॥ ਞਾਣਤ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ਸੁਇ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਤੇ ਕੀਚਿਤ ਭਿੰਨ ॥: O my Conscience (Mind)! Know well that love with Maya is false. Such people are saved from the delusion of Maya. Such a person alone Realizes the Creator (Sant) Within. (sggs 255).
• ਭਾਗਠੜੇ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਤ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਘਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥: Bhaagthrae Hari Sant… (sggs 749).

Hence, a sant is not at the level of physical body or robes (Bhekh-ਭੇਖ). In other words, one cannot become a saintly being by wearing a peculiar robe (Bhekh-ਭੇਖ), or by calling himself a sant, or having his deluded or stupid followers calling him a sant!

• ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ਜਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕੈ ਏਕੈ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: That is Sant who has realized All-pervading Raam within (Mool, Jot, Truth, Virtues…). The work of the Sant and Gobind (Mool…) is one and the same ||1||Pause|| (sggs 867).
• ਜਿਨਾ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾਂ ਮਨਿ ਮੰਤੁ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਿ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ॥: Those who do not forget the Divine Naam (Virtues, Wisdom…) even for the duration of a breath and eating a morsel, are blessed, in whose mind lives the Naam Mantra; O Nanak! He is the perfect Sant (sggs 319).
• ਹੋਲੀ ਕੀਨੀ ਸੰਤ ਸੇਵ ॥ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਅਤਿ ਲਾਲ ਦੇਵ ॥੨॥: Celebrate Holi with Sant (persons who are Virtuous, disciplined, improved, ਸਾਧੇ ਹੋਏ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਾਲੇ: living daily life with Virtues, Wisdom, Truth, etc.). (As a result of the good company, my mind is) imbued with the deep (spiritual) color (of Godly Virtues). ||2|| (sggs 1180).

However, living a Divine Life (of Virtues, Giaan, Hukam…) is not easy at all — it’s like walking on a two-edged sword!

Sikhi — a Way of life

As Sikhi is a Way of life based on Godly Virtues.

Now let’s pause for a moment and analyze. If a person who is called a Sant does not engage in earning honest living, he is simply a freeloader, a thief.

• ਬਹੁ ਭੇਖ ਕਰਹਿ ਮਨਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥: (Those human beings who miss the Naam and alone) wear religious robes, Peace cannot come to their minds. (sggs 1175).

In short, a freeloader cannot live a spiritual life!

The Gurbani call them ‘lazy bums’ and freeloaders who sit in their ‘Deraas‘ in luxury (ਐਸ਼-ਪਰਸਤੀ) and pray on unsuspecting and gullible people. These con men always misinterpret the Gurbani to justify their lifestyle of luxury (ਐਸ਼-ਪਰਸਤੀ).

Now perhaps we can appreciate as to why Baabaa Nanak thunders forth the following declaration:

• ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੀਤ ॥ ਭੁਖੇ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਘਰੇ ਮਸੀਤਿ ॥ ਮਖਟੂ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਕੰਨ ਪੜਾਏ ॥ ਫਕਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਗਵਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਸਦਾਏ ਮੰਗਣ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਲਗੀਐ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥: Someone sings the hymns (Kirtan etc. as a source of livelihood or bread, but he lacks Giaan or wisdom (since he uses it as a source of income, his understanding could not be higher). The mosque of the starving mullahs is also for the sake of livelihood (i.e. the Mullahs have also made the act of praying in the mosque a source of livelihood or bread). There is another (third one) lazy bum (unemployed, ਹੱਡ-ਹਰਾਮ, ਵੇਹਲੜ) gets his ears pierced (to look like a Yogi). Someone else becomes a panhandler and lives life of a beggar-ਮੰਗਖਾਣਾਂ), and thus loses his social status. Someone pretends to be respected by becoming a Guru or a Pir (spiritual guide…) but is also greedy for material things (i.e. accumulates wealth by craftiness and making excuses. Don’t ever touch such person’s feet (i.e., don’t consider him a Guru or a Pir – don’t follow him). One who eats by working diligently (with honesty…) and helps the needy in the right way out of this noble work; O Nanak! Only such people have come to know the right way of life. ||1|| (sggs 1245).