M. P. Pandit (born Madhav Pundalik Pandit; 14 June 1918 â 14 March 1993) was an Indian spiritual author, teacher, and Sanskrit scholar. For several decades, he served as a secretary to Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. A prolific writer, he published numerous books and articles on Integral Yoga, the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, and the classical spiritual traditions of India, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and Tantra.
Madhav P. Pandit was born in Sirsi, a small town in Karnataka. His family belonged to the community of the Gowd Saraswats which had migrated from Kashmir to various parts of India. His father was a wealthy and reputed lawyer who engaged himself in manifold social activities.
Pandit grew up in a deeply religious Hindu family. When he was still a small child, his mother started taking him every day in the early morning to a temple where he spent his time in devotion and contemplation, which prepared and influenced his later spiritual path. All his life he was to keep some traditional customs such as PranÃÂm.
His father wanted him to become a lawyer, following the family tradition. Therefore, he sent him to the best schools and additionally arranged for private tutoring in English, Sanskrit, mathematics and sciences. After his immatriculation Pandit continued his studies at Karnatak College in Dharwar.
Sundarrao, one of Pandit's brothers, was in close touch with Ganapati Muni, a well-known disciple of Ramana Maharshi, who was a Sanskrit scholar and poet. Even at young age Pandit came to know him as well as his student Kapali Sastry, who was to become Pandit's tutor over time. Sastry was a great scholar of the Vedas and Tantras and taught Sanskrit at a school in Madras. Later on he became a disciple of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, joining the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where he translated some important texts of Sri Aurobindo into Sanskrit as well as into the South Indian languages Tamil and Telugu. He passed on his manifold knowledge to Pandit, giving him advice and support during his education and on his spiritual path.
One day, while spending some time in the library of his brother, Pandit by chance discovered an article on Sri Aurobindo and felt spontaneously attracted towards the name and the photo of the freedom fighter and yogi. Subsequently, he started a regular correspondence with Kapali Sastry in Pondicherry and developed increasing interest in spiritual literature. He studied works on Ramakrishna and read the Collected Works of Swami Vivekananda, but eventually turned more and more to Sri Aurobindo and his writings.
In April 1937 for the first time he travelled to Pondicherry where Kapali Sastry arranged for his meeting with the Mother, which touched him deeply. However, following the advice of his brother, and encouraged by the Mother, he first went to Bombay in order to complete his academic studies with a bachelor's degree in economics. Thereafter, he was free to move to Pondicherry and became a member of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1939, at the age of 21.
Having joined the Ashram, Pandit concentrated intensively on integral yoga and the work given to him. Over time, he developed his literary capacities, translating works of Kapali Sastry from Sanskrit and writing many books on philosophy, yoga, the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother or on Mantra, Tantra, Veda and the Upanishads. He always tried to use a clear, simple language in order to reach many readers. In his title Mother and I he later on reported on his frequent personal meetings with the Mother as her secretary and on the numerous topics he discussed with her. In his small books How do I begin and How do I proceed he presented some concrete hints for the practice of integral yoga.
After the Mother had left her body on 17 November 1973, he continued his activities as before, writing his correspondents that her presence and love persisted. In 1976, he started undertaking foreign travel in order to spread Sri Aurobindo's message abroad. Several times he went to the U.S. and to Europe, gave lectures and interviews or organized seminars and conferences. He regularly informed his readers about his manifold experiences in his Service Letter. However, he declined to be regarded as a "Guru" and once said in an interview in Florida that this whole ideal was old fashioned now and not any more appropriate. The knowledge that was kept secret formerly, was today freely available, he said, and everyone would be in a position to run his own life and think for himself.
After a serious illness, Pandit departed on 14 March 1993 in a clinic in Madras. When the next day his body was kept for public's view at his residence, many friends and admirers came to pay homage to him.
Source:
Unless otherwise mentioned, all titles given below are from DIPTI Publications, Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Pondicherry-605 002, India. The year of publication is included under the main entry for each book. Entries in brackets are of later editions.
1950. Grace of the Great and Other Essays (1963; 1989)<br> 1952. Mystic Approach to the Veda and the Upanishad (1966; 1974)<br> 1957. Sri Aurobindo: Studies in the Light of His Thought<br> 1958. Aditi and Other Deities in the Veda (1970)<br> 1959. Japa (1961; 1971; 1977; 1986; 1991)<br> 1959. Kundalini Yoga (1962; 1968; 1979; 1993)<br> 1959. The Teachings of Sri Aurobindo (1964; 1978; 1990)<br> 1960. Dhyana (1967; 1972; 1976; 1986; 1990)<br> 1960. Highways of God<br> 1961. Burning Brazin (1974)<br> 1961. Where the Wings of Glory Brood (1976)<br> 1962. Sadhana in Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Yoga (1964)<br> 1962. Voice of the Self<br> 1963. Lamps of Light (1975)<br> 1963. The Mother on India<br> 1964. Current Problems<br> 1965. Gems from Sri AurobindoâÂÂFirst Series (1968)<br> 1965. Kularnava Tantra (1973)<br> 1965. The Mother of LoveâÂÂVol.I (1972; 1989)<br> 1965. The Mother of LoveâÂÂVol.II (1972; 1990)<br> 1966. Dictionary of Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Yoga (1973; 1992)<br> 1966. Gems from Sri AurobindoâÂÂSecond Series<br> 1966. Gems from Sri AurobindoâÂÂThird Series<br> 1966. Glossary of Sanskrit Terms in Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Works (1973)<br> 1966. Light from Sri Aurobindo (1970; 1989; 1990)<br> 1966. The Mother of LoveâÂÂVol.Ill (1972; 1990)<br> 1966. Reminiscences and Anecdotes of Sri Aurobindo (1990)<br> 1966. Shining Harvest<br> 1966. Studies in the Tantra and the Veda (1967)<br> 1967. Sri Aurobindo on the Tantra (1970; 1972)<br> 1967. God<br> 1967. Guide to Upanishads<br> 1967. Key to Vedic Symbolism (1973)<br> 1967. Light from the Gita<br> 1967. The Mother of LoveâÂÂVol.IV<br> 1969. The Call and the Grace (1975)<br> 1969. Culture in Yoga<br> 1969. Demands of Sadhana<br> 1969. Essence of the Upanishads (1976)<br> 1969. Gems from Sri AurobindoâÂÂFourth Series (1976)<br> 1969. Gems from the TantrasâÂÂFirst Series<br> 1969. Gleanings from the Upanishads (1976)<br> 1969. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.I (1988)<br> 1970. Gems from the TantrasâÂÂSecond Series (1976)<br> 1970. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.II (1989)<br> 1970. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.III<br> 1971. Epigrams from Savitri<br> 1971. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.IV<br> 1971. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.V<br> 1972. Sri Aurobindo: A Survey (1974)<br> 1972. Bases of Tantra Sadhana (1977; 1991)<br> 1973. Adoration of the Divine Mother<br> 1973. Breath of Grace<br> 1973. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.VI<br> 1973. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.VII<br> 1973. What Life Has Taught Me<br> 1974. An Homage and a Pledge<br> 1974. Meditations<br> 1974. Project Universal Man<br> 1974. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.VIII<br> 1975. All Life is Yoga<br> 1975. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: An Introduction<br> 1975. Champaklal Speaks (1976)<br> 1975. Dialogties and Perspectives<br> 1975. Memorable Moments with the Mother<br> 1975. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.IX<br> 1975. Sidelights on the Mother (1976; 1988; 1990)<br> 1975. Something Else, Something More<br> 1975. Under the MotherâÂÂs Banner<br> 1976. ChampaklalâÂÂs Treasures<br> 1976. Dynamics of YogaâÂÂPart I<br> 1976. Singapore Chapter<br> 1976. Yoga in Savitri<br> 1976. The Yoga of Works<br> 1977. Dynamics of YogaâÂÂPart II<br> 1977. Lights on the Tantra<br> 1977. Readings in SavitriâÂÂVol.X (with Index)<br> 1977. Thoughts of a Shakta<br> 1977. Yoga for Modern Man<br> 1978. Dynamics of YogaâÂÂPart III<br> 1979. Occult Lines Behind Life (USA: Auromere)<br> 1979. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.I<br> 1980. How do I Begin? (1984; 1985; 1986; 1988; 1992)<br> 1981. Talks on the Life Divine<br> 1981. Yoga of Love (USA: Lotus Light Publications; 1982)<br> 1982. Deathless Rose (1990)<br> 1982. Heart of Sadhana (1992)<br> 1982. How do I Proceed (1987, 1990)<br> 1982. Introducing Savitri (1992)<br> 1982. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.II<br> 1983. Sri Aurobindo: A Biography (Delhi: Publications Division)<br> 1983. Bases of Sadhana<br> 1983. Book of Beginnings<br> 1983. Call to America<br> 1983. Commentaries on the MotherâÂÂs MinistryâÂÂVol.I<br> 1983. Commentaries. on. the. MotherâÂÂs. MinistryâÂÂVol.II<br> 1983. Integral Perfection: Talks in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka: V. Murugesu)<br> 1983. Spiritual Life: Philosophy and Practice<br> 1983. Yoga of Self-Perfection<br> 1984. Mother and I<br> 1984. A Savitri Dictionary<br> 1985. Commentaries. on. the. MotherâÂÂs. MinistryâÂÂVol.III<br> 1985. Legends in the Life Divine 1985 Life Beautiful (1987; 1989; 1992)<br> 1985. More on Tantras (Delhi: Sterling Publishers)<br> 1986. Book of the Divine Mother 1986 Sat-SangâÂÂVol.III<br> 1986. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.IV<br> 1986. Spiritual Communion<br> 1986. Versatile Genius: Sri T.V. Kapali Sastriar<br> 1986. The Yoga of Knowledge (USA: Lotus Light Publications)<br> 1987. Sri Aurobindo and His Yoga (USA: Lotus Light Publications)<br> 1987. Concept of Man in Sri Aurobindo<br> 1987. Master and Disciple: S. Duraisamy Aiyar<br> 1987. Pitfalls in Sadhana<br> 1987. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.V<br> 1987. Savitri: Talks in Germany<br> 1987. Sidelights on Sri Aurobindo<br> 1987. Traditions in Mysticism (Delhi: Sterling Publishers)<br> 1987. Traditions in Occultism (Delhi: Sterling Publishers)<br> 1988. Commentaries on Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Thoughtâ Vol.I<br> 1988. Commentaries on Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Thoughtâ Vol.II<br> 1988. Commentaries on the MotherâÂÂs Ministryâ Vol.IV<br> 1988. Guide to the Life Divine<br> 1988. Introducing the Life Divine<br> 1988. Mighty Impersonality (1992)<br> 1988. Talks on Life DivineâÂÂVol.II<br> 1988. Tell us of the Mother<br> 1988. Traditions in Sadhana (Delhi: Sterling Publishers)<br> 1988. Upanishads: Gateways of Knowledge (USA: Lotus Light Publications)<br> 1988. Vedic Symbolism<br> 1988. Wisdom of the Upanishads<br> 1989. Art of Living (1990)<br> 1989. Commentaries on Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Thoughtâ Vol.III<br> 1989. Education: Some Thoughts<br> 1989. The Indian Spirit<br> 1989. Meditations on the Divine Mother<br> 1989. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.VI<br> 1989. Vedic Deities (USA: Lotus Light Publications)<br> 1989. Yoga of Transformation<br> 1990. The Mother and Her Mission<br> 1990. Thoughts on the Gita<br> 1990. Vedic Wisdom 1990. Wisdom of the Veda (USA: Lotus Light Publications)<br> 1991. Sat-SangâÂÂVol.VlI<br> 1991. Towards Universal Man<br> 1992. Commentaries on Sri AurobindoâÂÂs Thoughtâ Vol.IV<br> 1992. An Early Chapter in the MotherâÂÂs Life<br> 1992. Wisdom of the GitaâÂÂVol.I<br> 1992. Wisdom of the GitaâÂÂVol.II<br>