Within Sant Mat, there is no single, universally binding scripture in the sense of a closed canon; instead, the tradition leans toward a living, dynamic scripturality centered on the Masters and the seeker’s own inner experience. Texts are treated as guideposts rather than final authorities, and the living Master is often regarded as a kind of “walking scripture,” whose presence and instruction illuminate what the written word can only point toward. This orientation reflects the core emphasis of Sant Mat: direct realization of inner Light and Sound, supported but never replaced by books and commentaries. Thus, the written tradition is rich and varied, yet always subordinated to inner practice and ethical living.

Several classical sources are widely respected across Sant-related lineages. The hymns and compositions of medieval sants such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Tulsi Sahib, Paltu Sahib, and others are frequently drawn upon, especially where they speak of Naam, Shabd, and the inner spiritual ascent. In many North Indian contexts, the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is revered for its inclusion of such saints’ voices and its sustained reflection on inner devotion and the divine Name. These works, often poetic and composed in vernacular languages, convey the experiential dimension of the path and have shaped the vocabulary and imagery through which Sant Mat expresses itself.

Alongside these older sources, each Sant Mat lineage tends to cultivate its own body of writings and recorded discourses. In the Radhasoami stream, for example, Sar Bachan (both prose and poetry) by Soami Ji Maharaj is regarded as foundational, and collections of letters and talks by subsequent Masters serve as practical expositions of the path. Other lineages similarly preserve the letters, satsang discourses, and books of their respective Masters, including works that systematize the teachings or address common questions of seekers. Such literature often elaborates on meditation on the inner Sound, ethical disciplines such as nonviolence and purity of life, and the stages of spiritual development.

Across these diverse materials, a consistent pattern emerges: texts are valued as clarifying aids, not as substitutes for practice. They articulate the principles of inner Light and Sound, provide context for the role of the Master, and offer encouragement and explanation to those treading the path. Yet the heart of Sant Mat remains experiential, with written works serving as companions on the journey rather than as an inflexible doctrinal boundary. In this way, the tradition maintains a living relationship between scripture, teacher, and seeker, allowing the written word to support but never overshadow the call to direct realization.