Looking for 'Santok'

Santok means "contentment" and is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus. The other four qualities being: "Truth" (Sat), "Compassion" (Daya), "Humility" (Nimrata) and "Love" (Pyare).

A rich man in conversation with his lord “I built this big temple and in it your large idol, I keep doing your langar but you do not give my Asks. He had a list of unanswered wants that supposedly meant to bring happiness and kind of security for the insecurity he lived with. Standing at little distance away was a very poor blind man facing the idol with folded hands expressing Lord I am forever in gratitude to you; I feel I am the most fortunate person in the world. The rich man heard the poor man and then looking at the poor man’s torn clothes, poor health with starvation asked him you probably beg for a living, what kirpa of the lord are you referring to. He answered I have ‘Man Ka Sukh’. The lord has given me mental peace for each day. I get up in Simram to be in gratitude of my Lord and I am grateful today to make it to the temple which is difficult for me. The rich man said but you can’t even see Him. The poor man replied “I cannot see HIM but I hope he sees me today.”

Spending time with divine in gratitude of our existing blessings is the role of our Atma, leave it to Him to choose what’s best for us, as he is the Parmatma. Most humans when we feel our selfish prayers are not being accepted we jump our faith. There are very rare souls who stay in gratitude and continue to seek blessings in their adversity.

In olden days Mahapurash would take their disciples on a transport and go into the nagar for doing kirtan. They would say those who cannot come for kirtan lets us go to them. One such day they were returning late evening. Seeing the plight of disciples, thirsty, tired & hungry and knowing there is nothing cooked commented today’s Langar is in the house of Santok. He then goes to his room and in his Ardas expresses “Thank you Prabhu ji for your immense gratitude, in fulfilling our daily needs. Outside the disciples are anxiously waiting for Santok Singh to come with the langar. The clock crossed 9 then until 11 still no sight of Santok Singh, by then almost all fell asleep with ill feelings. At 3am amritvela the Mahapurash started kirtan and the disciples trickled in. After kirtan at 6am the disciples quite agitatedly mentioned yesterday night Santok Singh never came with the langar. Mahapurash answered well I meant Santok Rakhna, as I knew there was no food arrangements for us. Contentment is the result of spiritual awareness, a gift which allows you to recognise negativity. It changes your pattern of thinking. As you tap your huge inner potential, all desires are fulfilled and you regain your peace.

Gurbani says “O Nanak, the Guru is the tree of contentment, with flowers of faith, and fruits of spiritual wisdom. Watered with the Lord's Love, it remains forever green; through the karma of good deeds and meditation, it ripens. Honour is obtained by eating this tasty dish; of all gifts, this is the greatest gift”. SGGS 147