Pandit

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For paṇḍita various other contexts, see Pandita (disambiguation).

A paṇḍit (Hindi; Devanagari: पण्डित, Sanskrit: paṇḍita) is a scholar, a teacher, particularly one skilled in Sanskrit and Hindu law, religion, music or philosophy. The English loan word pundit is derived from it.
In the original usage of the word, "Pandit" refers to a Hindu, almost always a Brahmin, who has memorized a substantial portion of the Vedas, along with the corresponding rhythms and melodies for chanting or singing them.
The designation may also appear as the abbreviation "Pt."

Contents [hide] 1 Religion 2 'Pandit' Surname 3 Music 4 Other uses 5 See also 6 References

[edit] Religion

Pundits or pujaris chant Vedic verses at yagyas and other events, both public and private. The chanting is meant to be listened to with a quiet mind for the purpose of spiritual development for the listener as well as enlivening of the atmosphere at an event. All pundits are strict lacto-vegetarians for spiritual reasons. They are supposed to maintain purity of body and mind.

[edit] 'Pandit' Surname

The surname 'Pandit', most abundantly found among Kashmiris, is found all over India today. The surname is mostly (99%) found among Hindus, however there are also cases of the surname Pandit being used by Kashmiri Muslims. High incidence of the surname 'Pandit' today can blay are also called "Pandit". In Hindi they are called "Kumhar". They also known as Bhat, Purohit and Rajpurohit.

[edit] Music

In India today, 'Pandit' is an honour conferred on an expert of any subject or field, especially Indian classical music. Its usage is confined to Hindu male exponents. Muslim male musicians are bestowed with the title 'Ustad', and the terms 'Vidushi' and 'Begum' are used for Hindu and Muslim female exponents respectively.
The term 'Pandit' (always capitalised) is prefixed to the person's name, similarly to the way the term 'Maestro' is used occasionally. Examples include Pandit Nehru, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit D. V. Paluskar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, and Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur.

[edit] Other uses

Pandits, or locals learned in the dharmasastra, were also employed as court advisors during the 18th and 19th Centuries. Initially, British judges had very little knowledge of Hindu customs and oral traditions, and they could seek information from them on particular questions. The Supreme Court of India had a law officer styled the Pundit of the Supreme Court, who advised the English judges on points of Hindu law. The practice was abandoned by 1864, as judges had acquired some experience in dealing with Hindu law, and applied the increasing volume of case law that had developed. Further, the institution of the High Courts, two years earlier, in 1862 further diminished their official use.
Pandit or pundit was also the name used for Indian native surveyors who explored regions to the north of India for the British in the 19th century.

Source: Wikipedia