Sants (Saints) are not produced in an academy/institution but are designed and come into being by the grace/nadr of Waheguru/God. According to Gurbani, Saints have been around all the time in all the ages from yug to yug. In Gurbani, Sant (Saints), Sadh, Bhagat, Jan, Gurmukh are synonymous terms. The common thread in them being – connectivity with Waheguru/God. Sants are always in blissful (Anand) state being in union with Waheguru and they help others to walk on the Divine Spiritual Path by virtue of their dynamic personalities and teachings.
Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji give the synthesis of a Sant primarily based on receiving of Gurparsad/Grace /Nadr of Waheguru, who imparts Naam (Divine Sohji/Bud-bebik) through Gurbani:-
-ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕਰਿ ਮੇਲੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵਾਈਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਗਾਈ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ਪੰਚ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੋਹਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Suhi M. 4, GGS. 773-6).
Joining with the humble Saints, I sing Gurbani. Singing the Guru’s Bani, I have obtained the supreme status; meeting with the Saints, the self-elect, I am blessed and adorned.
ਗਇਆ ਕਰੋਧੁ ਮਮਤਾ ਤਨਿ ਨਾਠੀ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਪੀਰ ਗਈ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਆਰੋਗਤ ਭਏ ਸਰੀਰਾ ॥
Anger and attachment have left my body and run away; I have eradicated hypocrisy and doubt. The pain of egotism is gone, and I have found peace; my body has become healthy and free of disease.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਣੀ ਗਹੀਰਾ ॥੨॥
By Guru’s Grace, O Nanak, I have realized God, the ocean of virtue. ||2||
– ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕਾ ਮੁਖੁ ਊਜਲੁ ਕੀਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੀਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Bilaaval M. 5, GGS. 804-16).
The faces of the humble Saints are radiant and bright; The Lord has mercifully blessed them with the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||1||Pause||
According to Gurbani, some of the qualities of the make-up of a Sant are:-
ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕਉ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੈ ਧਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਏ ॥ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਏ II (Raag Asa M. 1, GGS. 422-11).
Joining the humble Saintly beings, let us sing the blessed, blessed Praises of the Lord.॥੩II The Primal Lord, the Infinite, is obtained by the Gurmukh. ||3||
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਤੁਟੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਨ ਭਰਮਾ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 5, GGS. 680-5)
As long as the doubts of the mind are not removed, liberation is not found.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਇਆਲ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੰਤੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਈ ॥੨॥੫॥੩੬॥
Says Nanak, he alone is a Saint, a devotee, and a humble servant of the Lord, to whom the Lord and Master is merciful. ||2||5||36||
ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਤੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ਸੋਈ ਜਿਸਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਮਾਨਈ ॥ ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਸੋਇ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਪਛਾਨਈ ॥੩॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 5, 929-9).
He alone is holy, a Saint, a truly wise person, who is accepted by the Dear Lord. Prays Nanak, they alone realize You, unto whom You show Mercy. ||3||
The Gurbani expresses with optimism the existence of such persons and qualifies them as special people (with “chaalla niralee”). It is the truthful promise in the Gurbani “manas te devte bhaie”, that lures a devotee towards the Gurbani.
There are many examples of transformation of ordinary persons coming in the fold of divinity irrespective of their previous life-style. It is often said that every saint has a past and every criminal has a future. The Gurbani promotes such a “Chardi Kala”. Waheguru’s grace can descend on anyone and everyone to convert a so called wicked person to become a saint. However, they are a few chosen (‘virle’) purely based on the sweet discretion of Waheguru.
Some people doubt the presence of Saints among us. The answer to such a question is both ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Yes – because some saints are listed in the Guru Granth Sahib.
No – because at times their presence is not recognizable. They are so immersed in their Master and as such their individual identity is completely lost. They have no agenda or plan of their own and they operate as instructed by their supreme Master (Waheguru) who drives them with His Maryada. They have all the vices under complete control with the divine strength and courage.
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th Sikh Gurus were so ‘rang-ratte’ with Waheguru and intoxicated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji that under the divine spell they put ‘Nanak’ in their divine compositions instead of individual names. They all became ‘Nanak’ demonstrating a virtual loss of individual spiritual identity.
The pivotal role of a Sant is elaborated by Guru Arjan Dev Ji:-
-ਸੰਤ ਉਧਰਣ ਦਇਆਲੰ ਆਸਰੰ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਕੀਰਤਨਹ ॥ ਨਿਰਮਲੰ ਸੰਤ ਸੰਗੇਣ ਓਟ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰਹ ॥੧॥ (Raag Jaitsiri M. 5, GGS. 709-15).
The Merciful Lord is the Savior of the Saints; their only support is to sing the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises. One becomes immaculate and pure, by associating with the Saints, O Nanak, and taking the Protection of the Transcendent Lord. ||1|I
-ਸੰਤਹੁ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਰੀਐ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਬਚਨੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਸੰਤਨ ਕਾ ਸੋ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਤਰੀਐ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Suhi M. 5, GGS. 747-16).
O Saints, cross over the world-ocean. One who practices the Teachings of the Saints, by Guru’s Grace, is carried across. ||1||Pause||
-ਜਿਸੁ ਵਖਰ ਕਉ ਲੈਨਿ ਤੂ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤਨ ਘਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 283-3).
This merchandise, which you have come to obtain – the Lord’s Name is obtained in the home of the Saints.
According to Gurmat, some of the attributes of a Sant are as given in the following verses:-
-ਜਿਨਾ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾਂ ਮਨਿ ਮੰਤੁ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਿ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ॥੧॥(Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 319-18).
Those who do not forget the Lord with each breath and morsel of food whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord’s Name – they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. ||1||
– ਸੰਤਨ ਕੀ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਾਚੀ ਸਾਖੀ ॥ ਸੋ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਜੋ ਪੇਖਹਿ ਆਖੀ II(Raag Raamkali M. 5, 894-8).
Listen to the true story of the Saints. They speak only of what they see with their eyes.
– ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਸੰਤ ਰਿਦ ਵਸੈ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪਿ ਦੁਰਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਨਸੈ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 265-6).
The Glory of the Naam abides in the hearts of His Saints.By the Saint’s kind intervention, all guilt is dispelled.
ਸੰਤ ਕਾ ਸੰਗੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥
The Society of the Saints is obtained by great good fortune. Serving the Saint, one meditates on the Naam.
ਸੰਤਸੰਗਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕਾ ਲਾਗਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 293-15).
In the Society of the Saints, I see God deep within my being. God’s Name is sweet to me.
ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਸੋ ਸੰਤੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਨਹੀ ਡੁਲਾਵੈ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, 281-15).
One who focuses his conscious mind on the Lord God. That Saint is at peace; he does not waver.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji nicely sums up a distinct commonality of a Saint with Waheguru:-
ਸੰਤ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕੈ ਏਕੈ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Gond M. 5, GGS. 867).
The Saints, and God, have only one job to do. ||1||Pause||
According to Gurbani, Waheguru takes full responsibility for the success of assigned tasks of the Sants and keeps them in His sanctuary whereby they sing praises of Waheguru:-
-ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਬਿਨਾਸੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 293-14).
The Guru has given the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom, and dispelled the darkness of ignorance. By the Lord’s Grace, I have met the Saint; O Nanak, my mind is enlightened. ||1||
-ਸੰਤਾ ਕੇ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਆਪਿ ਖਲੋਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਮੁ ਕਰਾਵਣਿ ਆਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ (Raag Suhi M. 5, GGS. 783-16).
The Lord Himself has stood up to resolve the affairs of the Saints; He has come to complete their tasks.
-ਅਨਦੁ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ॥ ਸੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੈ ਬਿਨਸੀ ਚਿੰਦ ॥੨॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 5, GGS. 676-16)
Meditating on the Lord of the Universe, the Saints are in bliss. The Saints find peace, and their anxieties are dispelled. ||2||
ਜਹ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਤਨ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ॥ ਤਹ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਨਾਦ ਕਵਿਤ ॥
Wherever the Holy Saints gather, There they sing the Praises of the Lord, in music and poetry.
ਰਮਣੰ ਕੇਵਲੰ ਕੀਰਤਨੰ ਸੁਧਰਮੰ ਦੇਹ ਧਾਰਣਹ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੀਵਤੰ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਪ੍ਯ੍ਯਤੇ ॥੨੬॥ (Salok Sehshritee M. 5, 1356-7).
To sing the Kirtan of God’s Praises is the righteous duty incurred by taking birth in this human body. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is Ambrosial Nectar, O Nanak. The Saints drink it in, and never have enough of it. ||26||
ਸਹਣ ਸੀਲ ਸੰਤੰ ਸਮ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਦੁਰਜਨਹ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਭੋਜਨ ਅਨਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰੇਣ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਆਵਧ ਹੋਇ ਉਪਤਿਸਟਤੇ ॥੨੭॥
The Saints are tolerant and good-natured; friends and enemies are the same to them. O Nanak, it is all the same to them, whether someone offers them all sorts of foods, or slanders them, or draws weapons to kill them. ||27||
While Gurbani favors the company of a Sant as a source of Divine enlightenment, however, it also cautions on the slandering of a Sant as well:-
ਸੰਤਹ ਸੰਗੁ ਸੰਤ ਸੰਭਾਖਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਗੈ ॥੨॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 5, GGS. 674-12).
Associate with the Saints, speak with the Saints, and keep your mind awake to the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises. ||2||
ਸੰਤ ਕਾ ਸੰਗੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥(Raag Dhanaasree M. 5, GGS. 674-12).
The Society of the Saints is obtained by great good fortune. Serving the Saint, one meditates on the Naam.
-ਸੰਤ ਸਰਨਿ ਜੋ ਜਨੁ ਪਰੈ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਉਧਰਨਹਾਰ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕੀ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਅਵਤਾਰ ॥੧॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 279-13).
One who seeks the Sanctuary of the Saints shall be saved. One who slanders the Saints, O Nanak, shall be reincarnated over and over again. ||1||
Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com
Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar 