Introduction to Premanand Ji Maharaj
Premanand Ji Maharaj, born as Aniruddh Kumar Pandey, was a revered saint whose life epitomized spirituality and devotion. Hailing from Akhri village in the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, his childhood was enveloped in a spiritually rich environment. His family, though modest, instilled in him a simple upbringing that laid the foundation for his profound spiritual journey.
Early Life
Born to Shri Shambhu Pandey and Mata Rama Devi, Premanand Ji Maharaj hailed from a lineage deeply immersed in devotion and spirituality. His ancestors were devoted to the service of saints and ascetics, which greatly influenced his spiritual inclination from a tender age.
Spiritual Awakening and Education
Premanand Ji Maharaj exhibited an intellectual acumen distinct from his peers right from his formative years. His inclination towards devotional practices led him to engage in chanting, recitations, and frequent visits to temples since childhood.
His education was intricately woven with devotion. Surrounded by a family engrossed in spiritual discourses, he embarked on studying the Bhagavad Gita and the Shri Sukhsagar from as early as the fifth grade.
The Quest for Spiritual Fulfillment
As he matured, numerous existential queries surfaced within Maharaj. His unwavering resolve to seek answers to life’s profound questions and attain spiritual enlightenment became his guiding force.
At the mere age of 13, while honoring his mother’s consent, he ventured out of his home to embrace the life of a saint, determined to pursue a spiritually enriched existence.
Unveiling the Spiritual Odyssey
Premanand Ji Maharaj embarked on an incredible spiritual journey that led him to profound devotion and unwavering dedication to the divine. After renouncing his worldly life, he embraced the path of celibacy and was known as Anand Swaroop Brahmachari. Embracing the profound Mahavakyas, he transitioned into Swami Anand Shram, seeking the divine.
Devotion through Austerity
His pursuit of attaining divinity led him to rigorous austerities. Devoting himself entirely to the worship of the divine, he spent most of his time in solitary meditation. Sustaining his life through alms, he engaged in long periods of fasting, transcending physical consciousness and worldly temptations.
Sanyasi Life by the Ganges
In his sanyasi life, he resided along the banks of the Ganges at Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi. His routine remained consistent, immersing in the waters of the Ganges thrice daily and meditating at Tulsi Ghat, unwavering in his dedication to divine contemplation. After several years, he received the blessings of Lord Shiva, enriching his spiritual journey further.
Visions of Vrindavan
One day, amidst his meditations, a sudden thought, possibly due to Lord Shiva’s grace, urged Premanand Ji Maharaj to contemplate a journey to Vrindavan. Curiosity swelled within him about the magnificence of Vrindavan, a place he had never visited. Without hesitation, he began seeking alms and then ventured into solitude.
The Encounter at Tulsi Ghat
While seated at Tulsi Ghat the next day, an unknown Baba approached him, announcing an upcoming religious event organized by Shri Ram Sharma Acharya at the Andh Vishwavidyalaya in Kashi. Hanuman Prasad Poddar was scheduled to attend, featuring daytime discourses on Shri Chaitanya Leela and nighttime enactments of Ras Leela.
The Temptation of Leelas
Despite Premanand Ji Maharaj’s preference for solitude and assumption that the event might replicate the Ras Leela from his village, the persistent Baba intrigued him. Realizing that this might not just be a mere coincidence, he decided to accompany the Baba to witness the Chaitanya Leela.
Immersed in Spiritual Narratives
The enactment of Chaitanya Leela captivated him deeply. So engrossed was he in these spiritual narratives that a month passed by unnoticed in his absorption. Upon the event’s conclusion, the realization dawned that all the artists from Vrindavan would return there. This realization sparked a desire within him to visit Vrindavan.
The Journey to Vrindavan
However, there was no direct train from Banaras to Vrindavan. Hence, they journeyed to Trikoot, and after spending a few days there, Baba Yugal Kishor arranged a train to Mathura for Premanand Ji Maharaj. Despite lacking funds, a benevolent soul in Mathura assisted him, enabling his eventual arrival in Vrindavan.
Embracing the Divine Atmosphere
Upon setting foot on the sacred land of Vrindavan, a boundless sense of joy enveloped him. The immersion in the waters of Yamuna, followed by darshan of Dwarkadheesh, deepened his spiritual connection, affirming the profound happiness that dwelled within the divine ambiance of Vrindavan.
After arriving in Vrindavan, Prem Anand Ji Maharaj began to feel that this was the ultimate destination of his life. However, he was unfamiliar with anyone here.
Establishing his residence, he embarked on exploring Vrindavan and visiting Banke Bihari during the initial days. Living here, Maharaj became completely engrossed in the contemplation of Banke Bihari.
Alongside his stay, he founded a spiritual organization aiming to spread love and peace among people through various religious activities in Vrindavan. This organization advises on focusing on Lord Krishna, spiritual practices, and yoga.
At over 60 years old, Prem Anand Ji Maharaj remains in excellent health. Even in his elderly state, he dedicates his life to meditating on Lord Shri Krishna and serving selflessly in Vrindavan.
His entire life is devoted to Radha Rani and Lord Shri Krishna. He has surrendered himself completely to the divine. Daily, he meets devotees and endeavors to resolve their issues.
For an in-depth understanding of Devakinandan Thakur Maharaj’s life, click here.
Reasons Behind Staying with Prem Anand Ji Maharaj
You might be aware that several videos of Prem Anand Ji Maharaj’s satsangs and discourses often go viral on YouTube, frequently seen across social media platforms.
A few months back, the renowned cricketer Virat Kohli visited Vrindavan with his wife Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika to seek blessings from Prem Anand Ji Maharaj.
After their visit and listening to Maharaj’s discourse, Virat Kohli managed to score two centuries in a cricket match just a few days later. He shared this experience with his fans.
Since then, Prem Anand Ji Maharaj has gained significant attention. His numerous videos continue to go viral, where he enlightens people about the true essence of life through his discourses.
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