A pandit or pundit (Devanagari: पण्डित) is a Hindu Brahmin who has memorized a substantial portion of the Vedas, along with the corresponding rhythms and melodies for chanting or singing them.

Pandits are hired to 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.

A famous member of this group was Jawaharlal Nehru, also known as Pandit Nehru.

Contemporary use

In India today, pandit is a term of great respect given to Indian classical musicians (usually Hindu) acknowledged to be masters, such as Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Pran Nath, or Pandit Ravi Shankar. In this latter sense, it is analogous to Ustad.

See also

• Chant
• Bard
• Epic Age

Pandit Pandit