pandit

Pandit, from Sanskrit pandita meaning "learned one," is a title of honor used in the Indian subcontinent to denote a scholar or teacher, especially one versed in sacred texts, language, philosophy, or the arts. Traditionally, pandits were Brahmins who studied and taught the Vedas, Upanishads, and classical Sanskrit grammar, and who interpreted religious law and ritual for temples or royal courts. The term also applies to specialists in astronomy, astrology (jyotisha), literature, and Hindustani classical music, where it may indicate high mastery or function as a professional title for performers.

In contemporary usage, Pandit is commonly placed before a man’s name as an honorific (for example, Pandit Ravi Shankar or Pandit Jasraj); the feminine form Pandita is used for women. In South Asia and among the diaspora, Pandit may also function as a surname. Spelling variants—pandit, pundit, pandita—reflect regional transliteration and pronunciation. In English, pundit has become a general term for an expert or commentator, especially in politics, though its usage is not tied to Hindu scholarship.

Notable bearers of the title include classical musicians and scholars, illustrating its association with learned achievement rather than a single occupation.