How do you become a Sant or Saadh?
Who gives the title “Sant” to put in your name?
Why weren’t there any Sikh “Saadhs” or “Sants” during the times of our Guru Sahibs?
In Gurbaani the word “Sant” or “Saadh” in singular form refers and means Guru Ji.
In Gurbaani the word “Sant” or “Saadh” in the plural form refers and means Gursikhs (those who follow and live the teachings of the Guru).
A true Gursikh will not call himself a “Sant”.
A true Gursikh will not ask people to massage his feet and press his legs.< br >
A true Gursikh will not ask people to prostrate in front of him.
“mn ijau Apuny pRB Bwvau ] nIchu nIcu nIcu Aiq nwn@w hoie grIbu bulwvau ]1] rhwau ]
O my mind, act as it pleases God. Become the lowest of the low, the very least of the tiny, and speak in utmost humility. ||1||Pause||” (Ang 529)
Once someone came to see Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale.
They asked Baba Ji, “How are you Sant Ji?”
Baba Ji replied, “I don’t know how the “Sant” is feeling, but I am feeling good.”
Baba Ji using humour tried to explain to the person that he is not “Sant” and neither does he wish to be referred to as one.
Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale would keep a stick with him in his hand.
Baba Ji would swiftly turn away from anyone who was about to bow or touch his feet, and if they came close, he would put forward his stick to wave them away.
The word “Sant” has lost its meaning.
Where in Gurbaani in the singular form it refers to Guru Sahib and the plural form referring to Gursikhs, nowadays “Sant” is a person wearing a white dastaar and a white cholaa (dress).
People have taken advantage of the word “Sant”.
People have abused the word “Sant”.
People have in the name of being a “Sant” manipulated, black-mailed, and looted gullible followers.
Fake holy men have raped women, looted innocent people’s wealth and dealt with criminal activities.
Fake holy men have been let off the hook and walk freely while victims shout and scream of their horrific ordeals.
Fake holy men think they are untouchable and that they can continue their corrupt acts because they have contacts in high places.
“mY hO prm purK ko dwsw ] dyKn AwXo jgq qmwsw ]
Late panthic scholar Giani Gurditt Singh Ji highlighted that the word “Sant” was first attributed to the name of the respectable Baba Attar Singh Ji Mastuane-wale.
Baba Ji was respected for his knowledge, piety and Gursikh way of living.
People started to call Baba Ji, “Sant Ji” and “Sant Maharaaj” because of his holy Gursikh way of life.
Unfortunately the mis-use of this word soon spread across the whole Panth. Unlike then, now we see “Sant” in every village of Panjab, every large city in the UK and splashed on page after page of Panjabi newspapers.
Look at highly regarded Gursikhs of the past, none of them, not a single one had the title “Sant” next to their name.
Baba Deep Singh Ji, a true Gursikh with the power of Gurbaani fought and died defending Harmandar Sahib.
Bhai Gurdaas Ji, the Mama Ji (maternal uncle) of the Fifth Guru was the scribe in writing the Pothi Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four sons where brave and fearless Saint-Warriors who cannot be compared to by anyone of us.
The sad fact is that most of the people using the word “Sant” with their name are not worthy of it.
The sad fact is that most of the people calling themselves “Sant” are not even close to being great Gursikhs like Baba Deep Singh Ji, Bhai Gurdaas Ji, or the four Sahibzaadas.
The sad fact is that most of the people allowing themselves to be called “Sants” are increasing their ego and breaking people away from the Shabad Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Let us ask ourselves:
What is the need to be called a “Sant”?
Why do these Sants have so many contacts and links to politicians and police officials?
Are these “holy men” spiritually higher than the four Sahibzadas, Baba Deep Singh Ji, Bhai Gurdaas Ji etc?
How can we stop the word “Sant” from being abused?
How can we prevent fake holy men from getting in roles of power where they think they can get away with raping women, looting other people’s wealth and commiting criminal acts?
How can we once and for all stop “holy men” from tearing people away from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and unite everyone under the Guru Panth?
Perhaps the answer is to get rid of these false “titles”.
Perhaps we should hold these fake holy men to account of their horrific and criminal actions rather than hear statements of defence from their followers.
Perhaps as Sikhs of the Guru we should boycott these so called “Sants” and show them that we are no longer going to be mugs and made fools of.
Food for thought, for all of us.