Priyanka Tiwari
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Premanand Maharaj, originally named Anirudh Kumar Pandey, was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, into a Brahmin family. His father, Shambhu Pandey, and mother, Rama Devi, raised him in a deeply spiritual environment. His grandfather had renounced worldly life in devotion, and his father and brother were also dedicated to religious practices, reciting the Bhagavad Gita daily.
Introduction to Spirituality
During a discourse, Premanand Maharaj shared an incident that shaped his spiritual path. When he was in the 5th grade, he began reading the Bhagavad Gita, which sparked his interest in spirituality. By the age of 13, he firmly decided to dedicate his life to devotion and celibacy.
Embracing Renunciation
Determined to walk the path of renunciation, he left his home and took on a new identity as Aryan Brahmachari. His early years as a renunciant were challenging. He moved from Kanpur to Varanasi, where he adopted a rigorous spiritual routine. He bathed in the Ganga River three times daily and worshiped Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati at Tulsi Ghat.
Life of Austerity
For sustenance, Premanand Maharaj would beg for food, sitting outside a temple for just 15 minutes daily. If he received offerings, he ate; otherwise, he survived on Ganga water and often slept on an empty stomach. These hardships strengthened his commitment to spiritual life.
A Divine Invitation to Vrindavan
His journey took a significant turn when an unknown saint invited him to witness Sri Chaitanya Leela and Raasleela at Hanuman Dham University. Initially reluctant, he agreed after repeated requests. Experiencing these divine pastimes for a month left him deeply moved.
Settling in Vrindavan
When Premanand Maharaj asked to continue witnessing these leelas, the saint informed him that they had concluded. However, he was told that if he wished to experience them daily, he should go to Vrindavan. Accepting this guidance, he traveled to Vrindavan, where he became part of the Radha Vallabh sect.
Dedication to Devotion
In Vrindavan, he embraced his new identity as Premanand Maharaj, dedicating his life entirely to the worship of Lord Krishna and Radharani. From that point forward, he remained in Vrindavan, continuing his spiritual journey with unwavering devotion.
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