Sant Mama Deshpande
Sant Mama Deshpande
Mama Deshpande, also known as Shree Sadguru Mamasaheb Deshpande. Mama Deshpande was a renowned philosopher, Ayurved Bhooshan scholar, and spiritual visionary dedicated to reviving ancient Indian wisdom. He inspired the formation of Shreepād Sevā Mandal (SSM), a global non-profit organization focused on spiritual upliftment, cultural preservation, and the propagation of Indic philosophy.
His legacy continues through SSM’s worldwide initiatives in education, Ayurveda, environment, and saint literature, creating morally strong, selfless individuals rooted in Indian heritage.
Name – Sant Mama Deshpande
Born – Shreepad June 25, 1914 Pune Distric, Maharashtra
Death – March 21, 1990 Pune Distric, Maharashtra
Religion – Hinduism
Nationality – Indian
Shree Mama (Shreepad Dattatreya Deshpande) was born on 25 June 1914 in Pune to a deeply spiritual family rooted in the traditions of Lord Dattatreya. His father, Shree Dattopant Deshpande, was a disciple of Sadguru Vasudevanand Saraswati Tembye Swami, and his mother, Sou. Parvatidevi, was blessed by Swami Samarth of Akkalkot.
Remarkably, Shree Mama was born at the exact moment Tembe Swami took Mahasamadhi, and was believed to be his divine reincarnation. Raised with Vedic discipline and spiritual values, he was prepared from birth to fulfill his mission of guiding souls toward liberation.
Matoshree Sou. Parvatidevi, revered as a spiritual mother and guide, endured immense hardships yet remained deeply rooted in devotion and wisdom. She was the first Guru of Shree Māmāsāheb Deshpānde, initiating him with the divine energy of Shree Swami Maharaj. Through her unwavering spiritual discipline (sādhanā) and deep knowledge of Shree Jnāneshwarī, she inspired him to walk the path of devotion, penance, and self-realization.
She introduced him to the Varkari tradition, fostering his devotion to Lord Pandurang (Vithoba). Her teachings laid the foundation for his future pilgrimages, discourses, and kirtans, which helped spread bhakti and spiritual philosophy across communities.
In 1954, Shree Mamasaheb Deshpānde received dīkshā and the right to initiate others from P.P. Sadguru Yogiraj Shree Gulavanī Maharaj, a key spiritual leader of the Shree Datta Sampraday. Shree Gulavanī was a disciple of Shree Loknathtirth Swami Maharaj and Shree Tembye Swami Maharaj, both stalwarts of Shaktipat Yog Sadhana.
Shree Mama embodied the spiritual essence of Shree Datta Sampraday, while also being deeply connected to the Varkari, Nath, and Bhagwat traditions, making him a luminous figure in India’s spiritual lineage.
Shree Mamasaheb Deshpande, fondly known as ‘Mama’, was a visionary spiritual master and beloved Diksha Guru whose global spiritual mission brought comfort and guidance to thousands. Through pilgrimages across India—from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari—he not only connected disciples to sacred places but also imparted practical lessons in devotion and humility.
Residing at his Pune ashram ‘Mauli’, a spiritual home for devotees worldwide, Mama led annual anushthans during Shravan, enriching followers with deep insights into saint literature, especially the Jnaneshwari. He inspired several spiritual projects, including Shree Kshetra Datta Dham and P.P. Vasudevanand Saraswati Tapovan.
His most ambitious vision, the Shree Jnandev Siddhabet Tapovan in Alandi, aims to honor Sant Jnaneshwar Maharaj by creating a grand memorial on his sacred birthplace, preserving his timeless legacy for future generations.