Sant

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See also the Maltese surname Alfred Sant and the two districts in Mongolia: Sant, Övörkhangai and Sant, Selenge.

Sant is a term that is used in India, derived from the Sanskrit sat. Its root comes from the Sanskrit particle of the verb that means both "to be good" and "to be real". [1] It differs from the false cognate "Saint" by which it is often translated. [2]

Sant can refer to:

  • the bhakti poets of the Marathi and Hindi speaking areas, some of which a lineage to the Nath yogis and who have been referred to as Sant Mat[3][4]
  • in the fifteenth and sixteenth century, "the good," often referring to people who sing the name of God and worship Him. [5]
  • a surname in deshastha brahmins. It is present in both types of deshastha brahmins, Rigvedi and Yajurvedi. Famous poet Indira Sant is a Rigvedi Brahmin.[citation needed]

Sant Ji may refer to:

Contents

[edit] List of sants

The following are classed as sants, including legendary figures.

  • Sant Eknath, Brahmin, outcast by society, fought for the rights of the backward castes
  • Sant Narsi Mehta, outcast for trying to break caste barriers
  • Sant Tulsidas, Brahmin who supported the ancient Vedic caste system which is based on one's occupation rather than birth, and further argued that we should all treat each other equally with no basis of caste. He had many lower caste followers whom he gladly accepted and furthermore taught that all men are equal in eyes of God with his book the Ramacharitamansa.
  • Sant Ramananda, Brahmin, devotee of Rama, had many backward caste disciples including Kabir
  • Sant Ramanuja, Brahmin whose guru was from a backward caste (and saw seeing equality in all humans). Many of his disciples were from backward castes, including Kanchipurna.
  • Sant Bogar, goldsmith, a South Indian Siddhar who became a Siddhar under the guidance of Kalanginaathar. It is said that he proceeded to China to teach the ways of the Siddhars. There is even a myth that Lao Tze is none other than Bhogar. Bhogar’s Samadhi is to be found in the South West corridor at the Palani Muruga shrine.[8]
  • Sant Dadu, cotton carder, founded Dadu Panth, tried to bridge gap between Hindus and Muslims
  • Sant Janabai, Dasi (servant), Vaishnava devotee of Vitthal domestic servant in Sant Namdev's home
  • Sant Kabir, member of the weaver caste, Vaishnava devotee of Rama tried to bring peace between Hindus and Muslims
  • Sant Kwaja Lassa Sahib [11]
  • Sant Narahari Sonar, Sunar (goldsmith), Vaishnava devotee of Krishna
  • Sant Sen Maharaj -Nai Rajsthan
  • Sant Tiruneelakanda Nayanar [14], potter, devotee of Shiva, one of 63 Shaivite saints
  • Sant Tirukkacchi Nambi [15]
  • Maharshi Matanga, Matanga Bhil, Guru of Bhakta Shabari. In fact, Chandalas are often addressed as ‘Matanga ’in passages like Varaha Purana 1.139.91
  • Sant Anayar Nayanar
  • Sant Atipattar Nayanar
  • Sant Enati Nayanar
  • Sant Kaliar Nayanar [16]
  • Sant Kannappa Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints, a hunter from whom Lord Shiva gladly accepted food offerings
  • Sant Kapinjalada, Chandala, according to Mahabharata (Anushasana Parvan 53.13-19)
  • Sant Nandanar (Nanthanaar) [17], Athanuur, devotee of Shiva [18], one of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
  • Sant Soyarabai, Sant Chokha Mela's wife
  • Sant Tirukkurippu Tondar Nayanar
  • Sant Tiru Nilakanta Nayanar, potter, devotee of Shiva
  • Sant Tiru Nilakanta Yazhpanar, one of 63 Nayanar Shaivite sants

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57
  2. ^ Schomer, Karine, The Sant Tradition in Perspective, in Sant Mat:Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India in Schomer K. and McLeod W.H. (Eds.)ISBN 0-9612208-0-5
  3. ^ Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57
  4. ^ Rigopoulos, Antonio The life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi State University of New York press, Albany, (1993) ISBN 0-7914-1268-7
  5. ^ Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57
  6. ^ Caste Protectors Detailed Article at Hindutva.org
  7. ^ Santgyan
  8. ^ India9.com Bhogar in India
  9. ^ Word Document
  10. ^ Saileelas.org Info on Saints
  11. ^ IKashmir.net
  12. ^ www.dlshq.org
  13. ^ Namadev the Saint
  14. ^ Hindu Saint Tiruneelakanda Nayanar
  15. ^ TRS Iyengar
  16. ^ Nayanar
  17. ^ Nanthanaar, who the gods showered with flowers
  18. ^ Nanaalai Article at Shaivam.org

[edit] External links

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