User talk:Jossifresco~enwiki/sandbox/Sant Mat

The Sant Mat (there is no adequate translation of the expression Sant Mat, literally the 'point of view' of the Sants) was a losely associated group of teachers that assumed prominence in the northern part of the Indian sub-continent from about the 13th century. Their teachings are distinguished theologically by inward loving devotion to a divine principle, and socially by an egalitarianism opposed to the qualitative distinctions of the Hindu caste hierarchy and to the religious differences between Hindu and Muslim.

The movement, that was not homogenous, consistied mostly of these Saint's presentation of socio-religious attitudes based on bhakti (devotion) as described a thousand years early in the Bhagavad Gita.

The boundaries of the movement were likely not sectarian and were devoid of Brahmin concepts of caste and liturgy. The poet-saints expressed their teaching in vernacular verse, addressing themselves to the common folk in oral style in Hindi and other dialects such as Marathi. They referred to the "Divine Name" as having saving power, and dismissed the religious rituals as having no value. They presented that true religion was a matter of surrendering to God "who dwells in the heart".

Some of these Sants, came from low castes, some of them were women and even untouchables (Atishudras). Some of the more notable Sants include Namdev (d.1350), Kabir (d.1518), Nanak (d.1539), Mirabai (d.1545), Surdas (d.1573) and Tulsidas (d.1623).

The 'tradition of the Sants' (sant parampara) remained non-sectarian, though a number of Sant poets have been considered as the founders of sects, some which may bear their name, but have developed after them by later followers such as Kabir Panth, Dadu Panth, Dariya Panth, Advait Mat, and Radhasoami. Nanak, one of most notable saint-poets, is the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, and considered the founder of the Sikh religion.

Formally, only a small minority of religious Hindus have followed Sant Mat, but the tradition has considerable influenced Hindus across sects and castes. Bhajans (devotional songs) attributed to past Saints such as Mirabai are widely listened to in India and in Hindu communities around the world. The Sant tradition is the only one in medieval and modern India which has successfully crossed some barriers between Hindu and Muslim blocks.

Medieval Sufi poets such as Rumi as well as Sindhi poets, are considered to have many similarities with the poet-saints of Sant Mat.

Sant's Poetry

 * Poem by Kabir
 * Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
 * My shoulder is against yours.
 * you will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine
 * rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
 * not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding
 * around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but
 * vegetables.
 * When you really look for me, you will see me
 * instantly —
 * you will find me in the tiniest house of time.
 * Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God?
 * He is the breath inside the breath.


 * Poem by Nanak
 * If you bestow your glance of grace, through grace we find the Guide [Satguru]
 * This soul first passes many births, at last the Guide is heard
 * No giver is greater that the Guide, all people make this well
 * The Guide once more imparts the Truth, to those who kill the Self
 * The Guide who makes us grasp reality.
 * Asa ki Var M1 4. AG456


 * Poem by Mirabai
 * I am true to my Lord,
 * O my companions, there is nothing to be ashamed of now
 * Since I have been seen dancing openly.


 * In the day I have no hunger
 * At night I am restless and cannot sleep.
 * Leaving these troubles behind, I go to the other side;
 * A hidden knowledge has taken hold of me.


 * My relations surround me like bees.
 * But Mira is the servant of her beloved Giridhar,
 * And she cares nothing that people mock her.