How do we recognize a true sant ? Gurbani helps (Guru Arjan Dev SGGS 1357):
ਮੰਤ੍ਰੰ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੰ ਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੰ ਸਰਬਤ੍ਰ ਪੂਰਨਹ ॥
MantraN raam raam naamaN Dha-yaana sarbatar poornah.
One who recites the Lord’s Name and links the inner consciousness through concentration (and realisation) that He (the Lord) is an all pervading Entity.
ਗ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੰ ਸਮ ਦੁਖ ਸੁਖੰ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਿਰਵੈਰਣਹ ॥
Ga-yaana sam dukh sukhaN jugat nirmal nirvairneh.
A sant is neutral to pain and pleasure (feels both with equal acceptance) and leads a spiritually elevated life free of vengeance and grudge.
ਦਯਾਲੰ ਸਰਬਤ੍ਰ ਜੀਆ ਪੰਚ ਦੋਖ ਬਿਵਰਜਿਤਹ ॥
Da-yaalaN sarbatar jee-aa panch dokh bivarjiteh.
A sant is compassionate and kind to all and is free of the five negative traits the five thieves (kaam, krodh, lobh, moah and hunkaar, i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and egoism).
ਭੋਜਨੰ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਕੀਰਤਨੰ ਅਲਪ ਮਾਯਾ ਜਲ ਕਮਲ ਰਹਤਹ ॥
bhojanaN gopaal keeratanaN alap maa-yaa jal kamal rahtah.
They take the Kirtan (chanting Waheguru’s Praise) as their food; they remain untouched by Maya, like the lotus in the water.
ਉਪਦੇਸੰ ਸਮ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਤ੍ਰਹ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਾਵਨੀ ॥
updaysaN sam mitar satreh bhagvant bhagat bhaavnee.
Their attitude towards all (foe and friend alike) is one of love and reconciliation. Their devotion towards (and love for) Waheguru is sincere and unconditional.
ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਨਹ ਸ੍ਰੋਤਿ ਸ੍ਰਵਣੰ ਆਪੁ ਤਿIਗਿ ਸਗਲ ਰੇਣੁਕਹ ॥
par nindaa nah sarot sarvanaN aap ti-yaag sagal raynukeh.
They are above slander – do not listen to slander nor are they perturbed by slander against them. They are a model of humility (dust of all) and serenity.
ਖਟ ਲਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਣ ਪੂਰਨੰ ਪੁਰਖਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਸਾਧ ਸ੍ਵਜਨਹ ॥੪੦॥
khat lakh-yan pooranaN pukhah naanak naam saaDh savajniH. ||40||
A person who has all of the above six attributes, O Nanak, is a sant, a gurmakh.