Santokh
Encyclopedia
Santokh means Contentment and is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus
. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth (Sat
), Compassion (Daya
), Humility (Nimrata
) and Love (Pyare
). These five qualities are essential to a Sikh and it is their duty to meditate and recite the Gurbani so that these virtues become a part of their mind.
Contentment is another very important virtue in Sikhism
. Instead of constantly thinking of how to satisfy personal desires, Sikhs try to accept the circumstances of their lives and concentrate on acting in accordance with God’s Will/Hukam
. They try to remember that all aspects of life are a result of God’s Will/Hukam. Contentment leads to freedom from care, fear and worry. It is a very important divine quality; it is a deep godly priceless jewel, which is acquired by those souls who move on the path of Sach Khand
.
When all the desires vanish the state of contentment is reached, the state of "Sat Santokh" is acquired. Desires are the reason for our sorrows and pains; its a such for an escape from these sorrows and pains. Fulfilling desires the person gets momentary happiness; unfulfilled desires bring disappointment. A continuous string of disappointments leads to depression and to mental and physical sicknesses.
Desires lead to mental and physical distortion of the mind; whereas contentment brings peace and calmness to the mind. This state of calmness and fulfilment brings us closer to the Almighty, because where there is complete peace in the mental state of the person, the mind can focus on the ultimate reality, the Akal Purakh
.
Dhoul Dharam da-i-aa kaa poot.
Contentment patiently holds the earth in its place.
santokh thaap rakhi-aa jin soot. (Guru Granth Sahib
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sat santokh da-i-aa kamaavai ayh karnee saar. (Guru Granth Sahib
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sach santokh sahj sukh banee pooray gur tay paavni-aa. ((3)) (Guru Granth Sahib
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Sikh Gurus
The Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth (Sat
Sat (Sikhism)
Sat is a Sanskrit adjective meaning "the ideal; pure and true essence " of an entity or existence in the Vedanta. It can thus be concluded as "the self-existent or Universal Spirit, Brahman".-Etymology:...
), Compassion (Daya
Daya
Daya or Compassion is a fundamental teaching of the Sikh religion and teachings can be found on DAYA. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Humility and Love...
), Humility (Nimrata
Nimrata
Nimrata is a virtue that is vigorously promoted by Gurbani. The literal translation of this Punjabi word is "Humility", or "Benevolence". The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Compassion and Love...
) and Love (Pyare
Pyare
Pyaar means Love for the Lord and His creation. This is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus. The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Compassion and Humility...
). These five qualities are essential to a Sikh and it is their duty to meditate and recite the Gurbani so that these virtues become a part of their mind.
Contentment is another very important virtue in Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
. Instead of constantly thinking of how to satisfy personal desires, Sikhs try to accept the circumstances of their lives and concentrate on acting in accordance with God’s Will/Hukam
Hukam
Hukam is a Punjabi word derived from the Arabic hukm, meaning "command" or "order." In God whose is referred to as Waheguru. It is by the command of Him that we are born and we die. In the Sikh Scripture, the founder of the religion, Guru Nanak says:...
. They try to remember that all aspects of life are a result of God’s Will/Hukam. Contentment leads to freedom from care, fear and worry. It is a very important divine quality; it is a deep godly priceless jewel, which is acquired by those souls who move on the path of Sach Khand
Sach Khand
Sach Khand, or Sac Khand, is the Sikh concept of joining with God. It is achieved by the Guru's Grace and through Simran....
.
When all the desires vanish the state of contentment is reached, the state of "Sat Santokh" is acquired. Desires are the reason for our sorrows and pains; its a such for an escape from these sorrows and pains. Fulfilling desires the person gets momentary happiness; unfulfilled desires bring disappointment. A continuous string of disappointments leads to depression and to mental and physical sicknesses.
Desires lead to mental and physical distortion of the mind; whereas contentment brings peace and calmness to the mind. This state of calmness and fulfilment brings us closer to the Almighty, because where there is complete peace in the mental state of the person, the mind can focus on the ultimate reality, the Akal Purakh
Akal Purakh
Akal Purakh is a Sikh name used for God.Literally it means "a timeless being whom never dies." The first word Akal, literally timeless, immortal, non-temporal, is a term integral to Sikh tradition and philosophy. It is extensively used in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth hymns by Guru...
.
Gurbani
- Dharma (religion) is the son of compassion;
Dhoul Dharam da-i-aa kaa poot.
Contentment patiently holds the earth in its place.
santokh thaap rakhi-aa jin soot. (Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
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- Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life.
sat santokh da-i-aa kamaavai ayh karnee saar. (Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
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- Truth, contentment and intuitive peace and poise are obtained from the Bani, the Word of the Perfect Guru. ((3))
sach santokh sahj sukh banee pooray gur tay paavni-aa. ((3)) (Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
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