Premanand Ji Maharaj: Life Journey, Teachings, Ashram

A Heartfelt Life Journey of a Modern-Day Rasik Saint

Premanand Ji Maharaj, lovingly known as Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj, is a contemporary Rasik Saint from Vrindavan whose life journey is a living example of surrender, divine love, and unwavering faith. From leaving home at the age of 13 to dedicating his entire life to Radha-Krishna bhakti, his story awakens devotion and offers practical guidance for a peaceful, purpose-driven life.

Main Takeaway

Premanand Ji Maharaj’s entire life teaches that divine love (Prem) and Guru-kripa are the simplest, most powerful paths to inner transformation. His journey—from a 13-year-old renunciant to a Rasik guide of millions—shows that surrender to Radha-Krishna and the dust of Vrindavan (Braj-raj) can turn suffering into seva and every moment into remembrance.

Early Life: A Soul Drawn to Dharma

Born as Aniruddh Kumar Pandey in a devout Brahmin family near Kanpur, Maharaj Ji grew up in an atmosphere filled with faith and scriptures. Unlike most children his age, he gravitated toward bhakti, japa, and spiritual reading early on. Questions like “Is worldly love permanent?” and “What is the true purpose of life?” stirred a fire within him. That fire became a lifelong vow: to seek the eternal rather than the ephemeral.

One dawn at 3 AM, in ninth standard, he quietly left home—not out of rebellion, but spiritual calling. That single step began an odyssey that would touch countless lives.

Varanasi to Vrindavan: Austerity, Grace, and the Turning Point

In Kashi, he embraced the life of a naisthik brahmachari—cold Ganga baths three times a day, minimal food through bhiksha, long hours of meditation under peepal trees, and total surrender to Shiva and Mother Ganga. This tapasya gave him inner steadiness. But destiny called him further—towards Vrindavan, towards Radha-Prem.

In Vrindavan, he began Braj parikrama and darshan of Banke Bihari daily. A divine moment shifted his path forever: listening to a pada at Shri Radhavallabh Mandir and being told, with love-filled wisdom, “To understand this prem, become Radhavallabhi.” He accepted sharan in the Radhavallabh Sampradaya and immersed himself in Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu’s prem-tattva. From austerity emerged ras—sweet, unconditional, ever-flowing.

 

The Birth of a Mission: Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, Vrindavan

Maharaj Ji’s spiritual home became Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, a living center of bhakti where seekers can taste Vrindavan’s eternal nectar through satsang, kirtan, vaani paath, sewa, and darshan.

Official Contacts and Timings (Verified)

• Address: Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, Vrindavan Parikrama Marg, Varaha Ghat, in front of Bhaktivedanta Hospice, Vrindavan – 281121

• Office Contact & Timings: +91 7248535195 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

• Contact/FAQ & Timetable: radhakelikunj.com/contact​

• App: Radha Keli Kunj on Google Play (official)​

• Official YouTube Channels: Shri Hit Radha Kripa, Vrindavan Ras Mahima, Bhajan Marg, Sadhan Path​

• Timings Snapshot (Subject to change; verify at the ashram desk):

  • Morning Satsang: ~4:10–5:30 AM

  • Mangla Aarti & Van Vihar: ~5:30–6:30 AM

  • Path: ~6:30–8:15 AM (Hit Chaurasi/Radha Sudhanidhi as per day)

  • Shringaar Aarti, Bhakt-Namavali, Radha Naam Sankirtan: ~8:15–9:15 AM

  • Evening Dhup Aarti: ~4:00–4:15 PM

  • Vaani Path: ~4:15–5:35 PM

  • Bhakt Charitra: ~5:35–6:00 PM

  • Sandhya Aarti: ~6:00–6:15 PM​

Note on Entry: Names for morning satsang seating and Ekantik Vartalaap are typically registered a day prior at Sant Niwas; entries are limited due to hall capacity and health considerations. Questions for Ekantik Vartalaap must be spiritual in nature and vetted by sewa-saints. Details on the official Contact page.​

Teachings: Simple, Practical, Rasik

What makes Premanand Ji Maharaj unique is how effortlessly he brings the heart of Vrindavan’s ras to common life.

• Prem as the Highest Path: Love is the essence; rituals without prem remain dry. Divine love is universally accessible.​

• Naam-Jaap with Presence: Chant Radha-Naam and Krishna-Naam not mechanically, but with absorption and anubhuti.​​

• Vrindavan Is Eternal: Vrindavan is not geography; it is a living, divine realm. Surrender to Braj-raj is a sure pathway to prem.​

• Guru-Sharan: All sadhana ripens through Guru-kripa. Ego dissolves under Guru’s grace.​

• Inner Transformation: Less outer show, more inner truth. Bring God into thoughts, speech, and action—every hour, every breath.​​

Authoritative overview of his philosophy is shared on the official Vrindavan Ras Mahima website.​
Daily satsangs and Ekantik Vartalaap archives on official channels make his guidance accessible worldwide.​​

A Health Journey That Inspires the World

Maharaj Ji’s health tests are extraordinary—media reports and updates note long-term kidney failure challenges and intensive ongoing treatment. Yet what shines is his spiritual response: he often transformed pain into remembrance, discipline into devotion, and limitations into seva. Devotees continue to pray, serve, and draw courage from his example. For practical updates, always refer to recent discourses and official handles.​​

Please rely on ashram notices and official channels for present darshan/meet timings and health-related adjustments.​

The Five Devoted Disciples: Panch-Pandav Seva

A small group of renunciant disciples—widely referred to as “Panch Pandav” by the media—serve Maharaj Ji closely, many having left professional careers (Army, academia, business, chartered accountancy) to offer full-time seva. Their unseen work enables daily satsang, darshan management, and support for devotees, especially amid health constraints.​​

A Living Influence: From Devotees to Celebrities

The fragrance of Vrindavan’s ras has no boundaries. Devotees from all walks of life seek blessings and guidance; public figures too find strength and clarity in Maharaj Ji’s presence. Several interviews and reports mention a long waiting time for personal meetings due to limited capacity and health-related restraints—reinforcing the need to follow the ashram’s official process.​

For seekers, the message is the same: come for God, not for glamour; come for transformation, not transaction.

Real-Life Quotes and Wisdom Nuggets

• “Man ko jeetne wala hi sachcha yogi hai.”​

• “Sacha prem deh se nahi, atma se hota hai.”​

• “Mat bhago, girte ho toh bhi aage badho.”​

• “Sukh ki asli chaabi adhyaatmikta mein hai, vastu-vilason mein nahi.”​

These lines are woven into satsangs and short clips across the official channels, making them easy to revisit and reflect upon.​​

How to Attend Satsang, Get Darshan, or Seek Ekantik Vartalaap

• Reach Sant Niwas (Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj) one day prior for name registration (morning satsang seating and Ekantik Vartalaap have limited entries).

• For Ekantik Vartalaap, prepare a clear spiritual question; approval is required by the sewa-saints.

• Keep health and crowd-management guidelines in mind; follow instructions from ashram volunteers.

• Always re-verify the current routine on the official contact pages.​

Official Links (For Devotees’ Convenience)

• Official Contact & FAQ: radhakelikunj.com/contact​

• Office Contact: +91 7248535195 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM)​

• Official App (Android): Radha Keli Kunj on Google Play​

• Official Channels Hub: radhakelikunj.com/official-youtube-channels​

• YouTube (Authorized): Bhajan Marg​

• Official Website (Updates/Blogs): vrindavanrasmahima.com​

• Instagram (Official): @vrindavanrasmahima​

Note: Avoid relying on third-party directories for timings; always cross-check with official pages or the inquiry counter at Sant Niwas.​

Human Touch: What Devotees Feel in His Presence

Ask anyone who has attended the 4 AM satsang or stood in quiet lines for Radha-Naam kirtan, and one hears the same sentiments: “It felt like time stopped.” “The hall was ordinary; the bhaav made it Vrindavan.” “His words were simple, but they found the one place inside I had been avoiding.” “I came for answers; I left with surrender.” This is the signature of Rasik satsang—no performance, only prasad.

It is a journey from “seeking solutions” to “seeking Shyama-Shyam.” The heart softens. The mind listens. The soul remembers.

Practical Path for Seekers (Actionable)

• Start with daily Naam-Jaap—slow, mindful, in remembrance.

• Read or listen to Radha Sudhanidhi, Hit Chaurasi, and Sewak Vaani on scheduled days (as per ashram routine).​

• Maintain satya (truth), daya (compassion), and vinamrata (humility) in relationships.

• Offer small daily seva—help parents, serve the sick, donate quietly, share prasadam.

• Spend time in Vrindavan if possible; if not, attend satsang online regularly.​

• Surrender outcomes to Priya-Pritam; keep walking even when you fall.​

Impact and Legacy

• Makes ras-tattva accessible to modern seekers without diluting the essence.​

• Brings ancient Nikunj-upasana into daily, livable practice.​

• Inspires renunciation of ego more than renunciation of life.

• Converts suffering into remembrance—turning every limitation into a lamp of bhakti.​​

• Builds a living community of practice through daily satsang and a thoughtful, orderly darshan system.​

Final Message

The life journey of Premanand Ji Maharaj is a reminder that divine grace is never far—it is waiting at the threshold of surrender. Vrindavan is not only a place to visit; it is a way to live. In that way of living, every breath can become Radha-Naam, every step a parikrama, and every moment a meeting with God.

May every seeker who reads this find courage to choose prem over pride, surrender over struggle, and Guru-kripa over self-will.