Attributes of Saint (संत)

 1. In Ram Charitra Manas, Sri Ram has explained following nine auspicious characteristics of a saint to Sri Parsuram in Balkand:  

1. Tranquillity (शम), 2. Restraint (दम), 3. Penance (तप),  4. Purity (शौच),  5. Forbearance (क्षमा),  6. Straight forwardness (सरलता), 7. Knowledge (ज्ञान), 8. Supreme knowledge (विज्ञान) and   9. Faith in god (आस्तिकता)
 
2. Sri Ram further, explained Narad ji about characteristics of saints when he meets him in dense forest of south, as under:  

• Saints are masters of the six passions (lust, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and jealousy), sinless, disinterested, firm, possessing nothing, pure (both within and without), full of bliss, of boundless wisdom, desire less, moderate in diet, truthful, inspired, learned and united with God, circumspect, bestowing honour on others, free from pride, strong-minded and highly  conversant with the course of Dharma (righteousness).
• They are abodes of virtue, above the sorrows of the world and free from doubt.
• Nothing besides My lotus feet is dear to them, not even their body nor their home.
• They blush to hear themselves praised but feel much delighted to hear others’ praises.
• Even-minded and placid, they never abandon the right course. Guileless by nature and loving, they are given over to prayer, austerity, control of the senses, self-denial and religious observances and undertake sacred vows.
• They are devoted to the feet of their Guru and Lord Govinda (Vishnu).
• They are full of piety, forgiving, friendly to all, compassionate, cheerful under all circumstances and sincerely devoted to my feet.
• They are further characterized by dispassion, discretion, modesty, knowledge of the truth relating to God as well as by a correct knowledge of the Vedas and Puranas.
• They never take recourse to hypocrisy, pride or arrogance nor set their foot on the evil path even by mistake.
• They are ever engaged in singing or hearing my stories and are intent on doing well to others without any consideration.

 When Vibhishan ji becomes agitated to see Sri Ram without Chariot (rath) and Ravan mounted on Chariot during their war, Sri Ram says to him as under  

• Valour (शौर्य) and fortitude (धेरीय) are the wheels of that chariot,
• Truthfulness and good conduct are its enduring banner and standard.
• Strength (बल), discretion (विवेक), self-control (इंद्रियाओ वश मे) and benevolence (परोपकार) are its four horses that have been joined to the chariot with the cords of forgiveness (क्षमा), compassion (दया) and evenness (समता) of mind.
• Adoration (भजन) of God is the expert driver; dispassion (वैराग्य), the shield and contentment (संतोष), the sword.
• Charity (दान) is the axe; reason, the fierce lance and the highest wisdom (बुद्धि), the relentless bow.
• A pure and steady mind (निर्मल मन) is like a quiver;
• Quietude (मन वश मे) and the various forms of abstinence (Yamas) and religious observances (Niyamas) are a sheaf of arrows.
• Homage to the Bråhmanas (Gurus) and to one’s own preceptor is an impenetrable coat of mail; there is no other equipment for victory as efficacious as this.

 
Reference:
Ram Charitra Manas written by Tulsidas:
 

1. बालकांड, 281 वे दोहा के बाद, 4 चौपाई मे - देव एकु गुनु धनुष हमारें। नव गुन परम पुनीत तुम्हारें।।
2. अरण्यकांड, 44 वे दोहे के बाद, 4 से 5 चौपाईया मे -  षट बिकार जित अनघ अकामा। अचल अकिंचन सुचि सुखधामा।। अमितबोध अनीह मितभोगी। सत्यसार कबि कोबिद जोगी।। सावधान मानद मदहीना। धीर धर्म गति परम प्रबीना।।

 

• अरण्यकांड, 45 दोहा, 45 वे दोहे के बाद, 1 से 4 चौपाईया मे - गुनागार संसार दुख रहित बिगत संदेह।। तजि मम चरन सरोज प्रिय तिन्ह कहुँ देह न गेह।। निज गुन श्रवन सुनत सकुचाहीं। पर गुन सुनत अधिक हरषाहीं।। सम सीतल नहिं त्यागहिं नीती। सरल सुभाउ सबहिं सन प्रीती।। जप तप ब्रत दम संजम नेमा। गुरु गोबिंद बिप्र पद प्रेमा।। श्रद्धा छमा मयत्री दाया। मुदिता मम पद प्रीति अमाया।। बिरति बिबेक बिनय बिग्याना। बोध जथारथ बेद पुराना।। दंभ मान मद करहिं न काऊ। भूलि न देहिं कुमारग पाऊ।। गावहिं सुनहिं सदा मम लीला। हेतु रहित परहित रत सीला।। मुनि सुनु साधुन्ह के गुन जेते। कहि न सकहिं सारद श्रुति तेते।।)
• लंकाकांड, 79 वे दोहे के बाद, 3 से 5 चौपाईया मे, 80 दोहा - सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका। सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका।। बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे। छमा कृपा समता रजु जोरे।। ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना। बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना।। दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंड़ा। बर बिग्यान कठिन कोदंडा।। अमल अचल मन त्रोन समाना। सम जम नियम सिलीमुख नाना।। कवच अभेद बिप्र गुर पूजा। एहि सम बिजय उपाय न दूजा।। सखा धर्ममय अस रथ जाकें। जीतन कहँ न कतहुँ रिपु ताकें।। दो0-महा अजय संसार रिपु जीति सकइ सो बीर। जाकें अस रथ होइ दृढ़ सुनहु सखा मतिधीर।।80(क)।।):​