Sant (religion) - Revision history

Manish: Updated formatting and improved readability

2026-03-20T08:18:56Z

Updated formatting and improved readability

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 20 March 2026
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	{{Short description\|~~Human being revered~~ in Indian religions}}		{{Short description\|Truth-exemplar in Indian religions}}
	{{italic title}}		{{italic title}}
	{{About\|teachers and spiritual leaders in [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]]\|other uses\|Sant (disambiguation)}}		{{About\|teachers and spiritual leaders in Hinduism and Sikhism\|other uses\|Sant (disambiguation)}}
	A '''''sant''''' ({{~~lang-~~sa\|सन्त्}}; [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration\|IAST]]: {{IAST\|Sant}}; {{IPA-sa\|sɐn̪t̪\|}}) is a ~~human being~~ revered ~~as a "truth-exemplar"~~ for their ~~knowledge~~ of "self, truth, [and] reality" in [[~~Indic~~ religions]], particularly [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Buddhism]].<ref name=william/>{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=1-17\|ps=}} In [[Sikhism]] it is used to describe a being who has attained spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge and power through union with [[God in Sikhism\|God]].<ref name=Khalsa>{{cite book \| title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib: English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib \| publisher=Hand Made Books (Mandeep Singh) \| author=Khalsa, Sant Singh \| year=2007 \| location=Arizona \| pages=12–263}}</ref>		{{confuse\|Saint}}
			A '''''sant''''' ({{langx\|sa\|सन्त्}}; [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration\|IAST]]: {{IAST\|Sant}}; {{IPA\|sa\|sɐn̪t̪\|}}) is a person revered for their abnormal level of "self, truth, [and] reality" in [[Indian religions]], particularly [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Buddhism]].<ref name=william/>{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=1-17\|ps=}} In [[Sikhism]] it is used to describe a being who has attained spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge and power through union with [[God in Sikhism\|God]].<ref name=Khalsa>{{cite book \| title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib: English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib \| publisher=Hand Made Books (Mandeep Singh) \| author=Khalsa, Sant Singh \| year=2007 \| location=Arizona \| pages=12–263}}</ref>

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==
	"''~~Sant~~''" is ~~sometimes translated as "~~[[~~saint~~]]", ~~but this is a~~ [[~~false cognate~~]] ~~(there is no~~ [[~~etymology\|etymological~~]] ~~commonality)~~ as ~~"''sant''" is derived from~~ the [[~~Sanskrit]] root ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)\|sat~~]]~~'',{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=3\|ps=}} which can mean "truth, reality, essence", while "saint" is derived from~~ the ~~Latin word {{lang\|la\|sanctus}}, which means~~ "~~holy, sacred~~"~~,<ref name=william>William Pinch~~ (~~1996), Peasants and Monks~~ in ~~British India, University of California Press,~~ {{~~ISBN~~\|~~978-0520200616}}, page 181 footnote 3</ref> derived from~~ [[~~Proto-Indo-European language~~\|~~Indo-European~~]] ~~root ''sak-'', "to sanctify".<ref>~~{{~~cite web~~ \|~~last1=Watkins~~ \|~~first1=Calvert \|url=https~~:~~//www.ahdictionary.com/word/indoeurop.html~~#~~IR094600~~ \|~~title=American Heritage Dictionary Indo-European Roots Appendix \|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt \|accessdate=2017-12-04~~}}~~</ref>~~		The word ''sant'' is ultimately derived from [[Sanskrit]], [[Prakrit]] and [[Pali]], where it serves as the present active [[participle]] of the verb "to be" (in {{langx\|sa\|[[wikt:अस्ति#Sanskrit\|अस्ति]]}}; in {{langx\|pi\|[[wikt:atthi#Pali\|atthi]]}}).

	Schomer and McLeod explain ''sant'' as preceptor of ''Sat'' or "truth, reality", in the sense of "'one who knows the truth' or 'one who has experienced Ultimate Reality', that is a person who has achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment or mystical self-realisation".{{sfnp\|Hawley\|1987\|p=57\|ps=}}{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=2\|ps=}} William Pinch suggests the best translation of ''sant'' is "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>		"''Sant''" is sometimes translated as "[[saint]]", but this is a [[false cognate]] (there is no [[etymology\|etymological]] commonality) as "''sant''" is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] root ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)\|sat]]'',{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=3\|ps=}} which can mean "truth, reality, essence", while "saint" is derived from the Latin word {{lang\|la\|sanctus}}, which means "holy, sacred",<ref name=william>William Pinch (1996), Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, {{ISBN\|978-0520200616}}, page 181 footnote 3</ref> derived from [[Proto-Indo-European language\|Indo-European]] root ''sak-'', "to sanctify".<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Watkins \|first1=Calvert \|url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/indoeurop.html#IR094600 \|title=American Heritage Dictionary Indo-European Roots Appendix \|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt \|accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref> Nevertheless, ''sant'' continues to be [[phono-semantic matching\|phono-semantically matched]] as ''saint'' in the present day.

			Schomer and McLeod explain ''sant'' as preceptor of ''Sat'' or "truth, reality", in the sense of {{"'}}one who knows the truth' or 'one who has experienced Ultimate Reality', that is a person who has achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment or mystical self-realisation".{{sfnp\|Hawley\|1987\|p=57\|ps=}}{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=2\|ps=}} William Pinch suggests the best translation of ''sant'' is "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>

	== Usage ==		== Usage ==
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	== Sikhism ==		== Sikhism ==
	*In Sikhism, a ''sant'', ''[[brahmgiani]]'', or ''[[bhagat]]'' is any human being that has attained God realization and spiritual communion with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by humans on Earth. This is attained through continual recitation and spiritual internalization of God's name ([[Naam Japo]]/''Naam Simran''). Sikhs commonly utilize [[~~Waheguru~~]] as the name of God which ~~translates into "Wondrous Guru"~~.		{{Sikhism sidebar}}

			*In Sikhism, a ''sant'', ''[[brahmgiani]]'', or ''[[bhagat]]'' is any human being that has attained God realization and spiritual communion with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by humans on Earth. This is attained through continual recitation and spiritual internalization of God's name ([[Naam Japo]]/''Naam Simran''). Sikhs commonly utilize [[reality]] as the name of God which cannot be simply uttered by the mouth but must be lived thru truthfullness.
	* ''Sants'' can originate from any religion. Figures such as [[Kabir]], [[Ravidas]], [[Namdev]], [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar\|Farid]], [[Bhagat Bhikhan\|Bhikkan]] and others are known as ''sants'' or ''bhagats'', despite some being of [[Islam]] or [[Hindu]] faith. Divine knowledge is universal, and their knowledge after obtaining enlightenment through ''Naam Simran'' has been compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism, the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]].		* ''Sants'' can originate from any religion. Figures such as [[Kabir]], [[Ravidas]], [[Namdev]], [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar\|Farid]], [[Bhagat Bhikhan\|Bhikkan]] and others are known as ''sants'' or ''bhagats'', despite some being of [[Islam]] or [[Hindu]] faith. Divine knowledge is universal, and their knowledge after obtaining enlightenment through ''Naam Simran'' has been compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism, the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]].
	* ''Sants'' are holy persons of very exalted status, one of being the ideal human being. As such, Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and holy congregation of ''sants'' (Sadh-Sangat), learn from them, and attain "santhood" through intensive reading and contemplation of Sikh scripture ([[gurbani]]) and ''Naam Simran''.		* ''Sants'' are holy persons of very exalted status, one of being the ideal human being. As such, Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and holy congregation of ''sants'' (Sadh-Sangat), learn from them, and attain "santhood" through intensive reading and contemplation of Sikh scripture ([[gurbani]]) and ''Naam Simran''.
	* The virtuous life associated with a ''sant'' or a ''brahmgyani'' (one who has a perfect knowledge of God) is strenuously defined in Sikh [[gurbani]], most notably in the ''Sukhmani Sahib'' passage of the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Sikhism advocates for people of all faiths to realize and become one with God, and attaining union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment. {{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=251-267\|ps=}} <ref name=Khalsa/>		* The virtuous life associated with a ''sant'' or a ''brahmgyani'' (one who has a perfect knowledge of God) is strenuously defined in Sikh [[gurbani]], most notably in the ''Sukhmani Sahib'' passage of the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Sikhism advocates for people of all faiths to realize and become one with God, and attaining union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment.{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=251-267\|ps=}}<ref name=Khalsa/>

			==Hinduism==
			{{Hinduism}}
			In [[Hinduism]], a Sant has an important place in the life of a devotee. Hindu [[scriptures]] also tell the importance of a sant.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=saint {{!}} Britannica \|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/saint \|access-date=2022-05-02 \|website=www.britannica.com \|language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Hindus\|Hindu]] scriptures, worshipers are freed from the disease of birth and death by taking refuge in a true sant and doing devotion according to the scriptures. The identity of the true sant is also stated in the holy scriptures of Hinduism that one who is a true sant will have complete knowledge of all the holy books and will initiate three types of mantras (names) thrice.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Identification of a True Sant or Satguru in the World - Jagat Guru Rampal Ji \|url=https://www.jagatgururampalji.org/en/gyan-ganga-river-of-knowledge/true-saint-identification/ \|access-date=2022-05-02 \|website=www.jagatgururampalji.org \|language=en}}</ref>

	== See also ==		== See also ==

->Scyrme: +sa, clearer lead

2021-11-18T22:52:56Z

+sa, clearer lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 19 November 2021
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	{{italic title}}		{{italic title}}
	{{About\|teachers and spiritual leaders in [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]]\|other uses\|Sant (disambiguation)}}		{{About\|teachers and spiritual leaders in [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]]\|other uses\|Sant (disambiguation)}}
	~~In [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]] and [[Buddhism]], a~~ '''''sant''''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration\|IAST]]: ''Sant~~'', [[Help:~~IPA~~/Sanskrit~~\|[sɐn̪t̪~~]]]~~) is a human being revered for ~~his or her~~ knowledge of "self, truth, reality" and ~~as a "truth-exemplar"~~.<ref name=william/>{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=1-17\|ps=}} In [[Sikhism]] it is used to describe a being who has attained spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge and power through union with [[God in Sikhism\|God]].<ref name=Khalsa>{{cite book \| title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib: English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib \| publisher=Hand Made Books (Mandeep Singh) \| author=Khalsa, Sant Singh \| year=2007 \| location=Arizona \| pages=12–263}}</ref>		A '''''sant''''' ({{lang-sa\|सन्त्}}; [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration\|IAST]]: {{IAST\|Sant}}; {{IPA-sa\|sɐn̪t̪\|}}) is a human being revered as a "truth-exemplar" for their knowledge of "self, truth, [and] reality" in [[Indic religions]], particularly [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Buddhism]].<ref name=william/>{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=1-17\|ps=}} In [[Sikhism]] it is used to describe a being who has attained spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge and power through union with [[God in Sikhism\|God]].<ref name=Khalsa>{{cite book \| title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib: English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib \| publisher=Hand Made Books (Mandeep Singh) \| author=Khalsa, Sant Singh \| year=2007 \| location=Arizona \| pages=12–263}}</ref>

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==
	''Sant'' is sometimes translated as "[[saint]]", but this is a [[false cognate]] (there is no [[etymology\|etymological]] commonality)~~.{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=3\|ps=}}~~ ''~~Sant~~'' is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] ~~[[Verb\|~~root]] ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)\|sat]]'', which can mean "truth, reality, essence", ~~and~~ saint is derived from Latin ''sanctus'', which means "holy, sacred",<ref name=william>William Pinch (1996), Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, {{ISBN\|978-0520200616}}, page 181 footnote 3</ref> from Indo-European root ''sak-'', "to sanctify"<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Watkins \|first1=Calvert \|url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/indoeurop.html#IR094600 \|title=American Heritage Dictionary Indo-European Roots Appendix \|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt \|accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref>		"''Sant''" is sometimes translated as "[[saint]]", but this is a [[false cognate]] (there is no [[etymology\|etymological]] commonality) as "''sant''" is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] root ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)\|sat]]'',{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=3\|ps=}} which can mean "truth, reality, essence", while "saint" is derived from the Latin word {{lang\|la\|sanctus}}, which means "holy, sacred",<ref name=william>William Pinch (1996), Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, {{ISBN\|978-0520200616}}, page 181 footnote 3</ref> derived from [[Proto-Indo-European language\|Indo-European]] root ''sak-'', "to sanctify".<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Watkins \|first1=Calvert \|url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/indoeurop.html#IR094600 \|title=American Heritage Dictionary Indo-European Roots Appendix \|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt \|accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref>

	Schomer and McLeod explain ''sant'' as preceptor of ''Sat'' or "truth, reality", in the sense of "'one who knows the truth' or 'one who has experienced Ultimate Reality', that is a person who has achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment or mystical self-realisation".{{sfnp\|Hawley\|1987\|p=57\|ps=}}{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=2\|ps=}} William Pinch suggests the best translation of ''sant'' is "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>		Schomer and McLeod explain ''sant'' as preceptor of ''Sat'' or "truth, reality", in the sense of "'one who knows the truth' or 'one who has experienced Ultimate Reality', that is a person who has achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment or mystical self-realisation".{{sfnp\|Hawley\|1987\|p=57\|ps=}}{{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|p=2\|ps=}} William Pinch suggests the best translation of ''sant'' is "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>
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	== Sikhism ==		== Sikhism ==
	*In Sikhism, a ''sant'', ''[[brahmgiani]]'', or ''[[bhagat]]'' is any human being that has attained God realization and spiritual communion with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by humans on Earth. This is attained through continual recitation and spiritual internalization of God's name ([[Naam Japo]]/''Naam Simran''). Sikhs commonly utilize [[Waheguru]] as the name of God which translates into "Wondrous Guru".		*In Sikhism, a ''sant'', ''[[brahmgiani]]'', or ''[[bhagat]]'' is any human being that has attained God realization and spiritual communion with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by humans on Earth. This is attained through continual recitation and spiritual internalization of God's name ([[Naam Japo]]/''Naam Simran''). Sikhs commonly utilize [[Waheguru]] as the name of God which translates into "Wondrous Guru".
	* ''Sants'' can originate from any religion. Figures such as [[Kabir]], [[Ravidas]], [[Namdev]], [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar\|Farid]], [[Bhagat Bhikhan\|Bhikkan]] and others are known as ''sants'' or ''bhagats'', despite some being of [[Islam]] or [[Hindu]] faith. Divine knowledge is universal, and their knowledge after obtaining enlightenment through ''Naam Simran'' has been compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism, the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]],		* ''Sants'' can originate from any religion. Figures such as [[Kabir]], [[Ravidas]], [[Namdev]], [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar\|Farid]], [[Bhagat Bhikhan\|Bhikkan]] and others are known as ''sants'' or ''bhagats'', despite some being of [[Islam]] or [[Hindu]] faith. Divine knowledge is universal, and their knowledge after obtaining enlightenment through ''Naam Simran'' has been compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism, the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]].
	* ''Sants'' are holy persons of very exalted status, one of being the ideal human being. As such, Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and holy congregation of ''sants'' (Sadh-Sangat), learn from them, and attain "santhood" through intensive reading and contemplation of Sikh scripture ([[gurbani]]) and ''Naam Simran''.		* ''Sants'' are holy persons of very exalted status, one of being the ideal human being. As such, Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and holy congregation of ''sants'' (Sadh-Sangat), learn from them, and attain "santhood" through intensive reading and contemplation of Sikh scripture ([[gurbani]]) and ''Naam Simran''.
	* The virtuous life associated with a ''sant'' or a ''brahmgyani'' (one who has a perfect knowledge of God) is strenuously defined in Sikh [[gurbani]], most notably in the ''Sukhmani Sahib'' passage of the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Sikhism advocates for people of all faiths to realize and become one with God, and attaining union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment. {{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=251-267\|ps=}} <ref name=Khalsa/>		* The virtuous life associated with a ''sant'' or a ''brahmgyani'' (one who has a perfect knowledge of God) is strenuously defined in Sikh [[gurbani]], most notably in the ''Sukhmani Sahib'' passage of the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Sikhism advocates for people of all faiths to realize and become one with God, and attaining union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment. {{sfnp\|Schomer\|McLeod\|1987\|pp=251-267\|ps=}} <ref name=Khalsa/>

imported>SomePacifisticGuy: Added pronunciation

2021-08-30T02:29:25Z

Added pronunciation

New page

{{Short description|Human being revered in Indian religions}}
{{italic title}}
{{About|teachers and spiritual leaders in [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]]|other uses|Sant (disambiguation)}}
In [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]] and [[Buddhism]], a '''''sant''''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''Sant'', [[Help:IPA/Sanskrit|[sɐn̪t̪]]]) is a human being revered for his or her knowledge of "self, truth, reality" and as a "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>{{sfnp|Schomer|McLeod|1987|pp=1-17|ps=}} In [[Sikhism]] it is used to describe a being who has attained spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge and power through union with [[God in Sikhism|God]].<ref name=Khalsa>{{cite book | title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib: English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib | publisher=Hand Made Books (Mandeep Singh) | author=Khalsa, Sant Singh | year=2007 | location=Arizona | pages=12–263}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
''Sant'' is sometimes translated as "[[saint]]", but this is a [[false cognate]] (there is no [[etymology|etymological]] commonality).{{sfnp|Schomer|McLeod|1987|p=3|ps=}} ''Sant'' is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] [[Verb|root]] ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)|sat]]'', which can mean "truth, reality, essence", and saint is derived from Latin ''sanctus'', which means "holy, sacred",<ref name=william>William Pinch (1996), Peasants and Monks in British India, University of California Press, {{ISBN|978-0520200616}}, page 181 footnote 3</ref> from Indo-European root ''sak-'', "to sanctify"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watkins |first1=Calvert |url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/indoeurop.html#IR094600 |title=American Heritage Dictionary Indo-European Roots Appendix |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref>

Schomer and McLeod explain ''sant'' as preceptor of ''Sat'' or "truth, reality", in the sense of "'one who knows the truth' or 'one who has experienced Ultimate Reality', that is a person who has achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment or mystical self-realisation".{{sfnp|Hawley|1987|p=57|ps=}}{{sfnp|Schomer|McLeod|1987|p=2|ps=}} William Pinch suggests the best translation of ''sant'' is "truth-exemplar".<ref name=william/>

== Usage ==
''Sant'' differs from ''saint'' not merely in the etymological sense but also in usage. The word is used in various contexts:{{sfnp|Schomer|McLeod|1987|pp=1-17|ps=}}{{sfnp|Hawley|1987|p=57|ps=}}<ref name=hawleymark>John Hawley and Mark Juergensmeyer (2008), Songs of the Saints of India, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0195694208}}, pages 2-8</ref>
*In fifteenth- and sixteenth-century India under Islamic rule, it was used generally to describe teachers and poet-scholars who led worshippers and communities the praises of god or goddess within the [[Bhakti movement]] in [[Hinduism]].
*In modern era, the term sometimes describes any holy man or woman who advocates a particular form of spirituality or members of the group that leads a ''[[Sant Mat]]'' (teachings of a spiritual congregation).
*The term is also used in a generic sense and in this respect is similar to the usage of ''saint'' to indicate a morally good person. As such, it has been applied to a wide range of [[guru]]s (not to be confused with [[Sikh gurus]]) and other religious leaders.

== Sikhism ==
*In Sikhism, a ''sant'', ''[[brahmgiani]]'', or ''[[bhagat]]'' is any human being that has attained God realization and spiritual communion with God. Sikhs believe that the divine energy of God can be experienced by humans on Earth. This is attained through continual recitation and spiritual internalization of God's name ([[Naam Japo]]/''Naam Simran''). Sikhs commonly utilize [[Waheguru]] as the name of God which translates into "Wondrous Guru".
* ''Sants'' can originate from any religion. Figures such as [[Kabir]], [[Ravidas]], [[Namdev]], [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar|Farid]], [[Bhagat Bhikhan|Bhikkan]] and others are known as ''sants'' or ''bhagats'', despite some being of [[Islam]] or [[Hindu]] faith. Divine knowledge is universal, and their knowledge after obtaining enlightenment through ''Naam Simran'' has been compiled and included in the holy book of Sikhism, the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]],
* ''Sants'' are holy persons of very exalted status, one of being the ideal human being. As such, Sikhs are encouraged to seek the company and holy congregation of ''sants'' (Sadh-Sangat), learn from them, and attain "santhood" through intensive reading and contemplation of Sikh scripture ([[gurbani]]) and ''Naam Simran''.
* The virtuous life associated with a ''sant'' or a ''brahmgyani'' (one who has a perfect knowledge of God) is strenuously defined in Sikh [[gurbani]], most notably in the ''Sukhmani Sahib'' passage of the [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Sikhism advocates for people of all faiths to realize and become one with God, and attaining union with God is the highest form of spiritual enlightenment. {{sfnp|Schomer|McLeod|1987|pp=251-267|ps=}} <ref name=Khalsa/>

== See also ==
* [[Hindu reform movements]]
* [[List of Hindu gurus and sants]]
* [[Satguru]] (Sadguru)
* [[Satya]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation |editor-last=Hawley |editor-first=John Stratton |title=Saints and Virtues |publisher=University of California Press |year=1987 |isbn=9780520061637 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RGv2wOUl0pMC}}
* {{citation |title=The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India |editor1-first=Karine |editor1-last=Schomer |editor2-first=W. H. |editor2-last=McLeod |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1987 |isbn=9788120802773 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OkKhOivXrhgC}}
{{refend}}

[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Indian words and phrases]]
[[Category:Hindu religious leaders| ]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Titles and occupations in Hinduism]]