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 Māmā (Shreepād Dattātreya Deshpānde) was born on 25 June 1914 in Pune to a deeply spiritual family rooted in the traditions of Lord Dattātreya. His father, Shree Dattopant Deshpānde, was a disciple of Sadguru Vasudevanand Saraswati Tembye Swami, and his mother, Sou. Pārvatidevī, was blessed by Swami Samarth of Akkalkot.
Remarkably, Shree Māmā was born at the exact moment Tembye Swami took Mahāsamādhi, 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.
Mātoshree Sou. Pārvatidevī, 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 Māmāsāheb Deshpānde received dīkshā and the right to initiate others from P.P. Sadguru Yogirāj Shree Gulavanī Mahārāj, a key spiritual leader of the Shree Datta Sampradāy. Shree Gulavanī was a disciple of Shree Loknathtīrth Swāmī Mahārāj and Shree Tembye Swāmī Mahārāj, both stalwarts of Shaktipāt Yog Sādhanā.
Shree Māmā embodied the spiritual essence of Shree Datta Sampradāy, while also being deeply connected to the Vārkari, Nāth, and Bhāgwat traditions, making him a luminous figure in India’s spiritual lineage.
Shree Māmāsāheb Deshpānde, fondly known as ‘Māmā’, was a visionary spiritual master and beloved Dīkshā 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 āshram ‘Mauli’, a spiritual home for devotees worldwide, Māmā led annual anushthāns during Shrāvan, enriching followers with deep insights into saint literature, especially the Jnāneshwarī. He inspired several spiritual projects, including Shree Kshetra Datta Dhām and P.P. Vasudevanand Saraswati Tapovan.
His most ambitious vision, the Shree Jnāndev Siddhabet Tapovan in Alandi, aims to honor Sant Jnāneshwar Maharaj by creating a grand memorial on his sacred birthplace, preserving his timeless legacy for future generations.