SANT

'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. Sant can refer to

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★ 1. the bhakti saint poets of the Marathi and Hindi speaking areas. ^[2]

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★ 2. in the fifteenth and sixteenth century, "the good," often referring to people who sing the name of God and worship Him. ^[1]

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★ 3. a group of holy men with a lineage to the Nath yogis and who have been referred to as Sant Mat^[1]

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★ 4. a surname in deshastha brahmins. Strangely it is present in both types of deshastha brahmins, Rigvedi and Yajurvedi. Famous poet Indira Sant is a Rigvedi Brahmin.
'Sant' can also refer to Maltese nobility (see Sant Cassia) and can be a Maltese surname. The Leader of the Opposition is Alfred Sant.

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References

References

1. Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57
2. Rigopoulos, Antonio The life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi State University of New York press, Albany, (1993) ISBN 0-7914-1268-7
3. Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57
4. Hawley, John S. (Ed.), Saints and Virtues, University of California Press (1987) "Three Hindu Saints", page 57