Devotees recount that one morning, before dawn, a thirteen-year-old boy in a village near Kanpur quietly left his home. He had spent years reading devotional books and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. Now he set out with one purpose: to seek God. That boy, Aniruddh Kumar Pandey, is known today as Premanand Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan.
His path since then has run through hard renunciation on the banks of the Ganga, a change of heart in Varanasi, and long years of service at his guru's feet in Vrindavan. Today he gives daily satsang (spiritual discourse) at his ashram, and his talks reach millions through the ashram's official channels. His message is simple enough for any household: remember the Name of Shri Radha with love, do your duties honestly, and do not live in fear.
Life story
A boy with Gita Press books
Premanand Ji Maharaj was born Aniruddh Kumar Pandey in Akhri village, in the Sarsaul area of Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, into a devout Brahmin family. His ashram's account describes a childhood shaped by devotion.
From about Class 5 he read devotional books published by Gita Press. He studied the Bhagavat with his elder brother and recited the Hanuman Chalisa. These were ordinary practices in many Indian homes, but in this boy they went deep.
Leaving home at thirteen
At the age of thirteen he left home before dawn to seek God. For a boy of that age it was a large step. It ended his childhood at home and began a life given wholly to the search for God.
In his early years as a renunciate, he was initiated as a naishthik brahmachari, a lifelong celibate devoted to spiritual life, and given the name Anand Swaroop Brahmachari. Later he took sannyasa (formal vows of renunciation) and became Swami Anandashram. Both names carry the word ananda, meaning bliss.
On the banks of the Ganga
For years he lived by the Ganga, between Haridwar and Varanasi. His austerity was strict. He ate only what came to him unasked. In Varanasi he worshipped Shiva under a peepal tree near Tulsi Ghat.
This was a life of hardship, chosen freely, and centred on discipline and the worship of Shiva.
The turn to Shri Radha
The turning point came in Varanasi. For a month he watched performances of Chaitanya Lila and Raslila, devotional enactments of the life of Sri Chaitanya and of Krishna's divine play. His heart was drawn to Shri Radha-Krishna. For a renunciate trained in hard discipline, this was a turn toward love.
He left the ghats of Varanasi and went to Mathura, and then to Vrindavan. The renunciate who had worshipped Shiva by the Ganga now came to the land of Radha and Krishna.
Diksha and ten years of service
In Vrindavan he received diksha (initiation) into the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, the tradition founded by Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu. He received it at the Shri Radha Vallabh Temple, the main temple of the sampradaya in Vrindavan. His initiating guru was Shri Hit Mohit Maral Goswami Ji, and he was given the name Premanand. Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj, his Sadguru, initiated him into Sahachari bhav, the devotional attitude of a companion in this tradition.
For about ten years he served Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj closely. During this time he lived on madhukari, alms of food taken from the households of Braj.
Satsang at Radha Keli Kunj
Today Premanand Ji Maharaj is based at Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, at Varaha Ghat in Vrindavan. He gives daily satsang there. He also holds Ekantik Vartalap, one-to-one conversations in which devotees ask their own questions and receive his answers. People bring him everyday problems of anger, stress and relationships, and he answers in plain language. His teaching keeps the Name and clean conduct at the centre.
These talks are recorded and shared by the ashram, through Bhajan Marg publications and through its official channels, Bhajan Marg and Vrindavan Ras Mahima. Through them his teaching reaches millions.
Core teachings
Naam jap
At the centre of his teaching is naam jap, the loving repetition of the Divine Name. He asks devotees to remember the Name constantly, and especially the name "Radha". In his teaching, this is the simplest and surest practice. It can be done at home and at work, while cooking, travelling or working. His own greeting, "Radhe Radhe", carries the same Name into every meeting with every person.
Sharanagati: surrender
Sharanagati means surrender, or taking refuge. Premanand Ji Maharaj teaches devotees to hand over the outcome of their lives to Shri Radha-Krishna. This is not laziness or giving up. He asks devotees to do their own part with full sincerity, and then to let go of anxiety about the result. The work is ours to do well. The fruit is God's to give. In his teaching, this balance keeps a devotee active in the world without carrying the weight of the result.
Love, not fear
He teaches that devotion grows from love for God, not from fear of punishment. A person who prays only out of fear stays tense and small. A person who loves God turns toward Him naturally, again and again. Fear may start a prayer, but in his teaching it is love that keeps a devotee coming back to God.
Bhakti for householders
Though he left home himself at thirteen, he does not ask others to do the same. He teaches that family people can walk the path of bhakti (loving devotion) fully, while doing their duties at home and at work. Renunciation is not required. A mother caring for her children, a shopkeeper serving customers and an office worker meeting deadlines can all practise naam jap and offer their duties to God.
Pure conduct
He teaches that clean living supports bhajan, the practice of devotion. Truthful speech, control of the senses and freedom from harmful habits make the mind fit for remembering God. In his Ekantik Vartalap, people bring him everyday problems: anger, stress, quarrels in relationships. He answers in plain language. Clean conduct, in his teaching, is not a separate rule but the ground on which remembrance of the Name can grow.
Principles for daily life
- Chant the Name through the day. This week, softly repeat "Radha" or the Name dear to you while working, walking or cooking.
- Begin early. Rise a little earlier each day and begin with a short prayer or by listening to satsang.
- Serve through your duties. Do your family duties with love, and treat each one as service to God.
- Guard speech and senses. Notice anger and gossip this week, and step back from one harmful habit.
- Ask real questions. Bring your honest questions to a sincere teacher, and practise what you hear rather than only listening.
Places of pilgrimage
- Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, Varaha Ghat, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. His ashram, where daily satsang, aarti and Ekantik Vartalap take place.
- Shri Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The main temple of the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, where he received diksha. Visit for darshan of Shri Radha Vallabh.
- Vrindavan parikrama, Braj, Uttar Pradesh. The sacred circuit around Vrindavan, honoured in the Radha Vallabh tradition. Walking it slowly while chanting the Name is a simple devotion.
Legacy today
Premanand Ji Maharaj teaches today from Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj at Varaha Ghat in Vrindavan. His daily satsang and Ekantik Vartalap are recorded and shared by the ashram through Bhajan Marg publications and its official channels, Bhajan Marg and Vrindavan Ras Mahima. Through these, his talks reach millions of people.
He stands within the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, founded by Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu, and within the line of his guru, Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj. A very large community of devotees follows his satsang. His teaching keeps returning to naam jap and to devotion within ordinary family life. Gurushakti is not associated with the ashram; for his teachings, see his official channels.
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Walk the path
Premanand Ji Maharaj's teaching begins with the Name. This week, choose a quiet moment each morning and repeat "Radha", or the Name dear to you, slowly and with love. Then carry it into the day, softly, while you work or travel.
Do your duties at home as seva (selfless service), and offer one small act of daan (giving) to someone in need. No result is promised and none is needed. Simply remember the Name, live cleanly, and let love, not fear, guide your devotion.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Premanand Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan?
Premanand Ji Maharaj is a living saint of the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, based at Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj in Vrindavan. Born Aniruddh Kumar Pandey in Kanpur district, he left home at thirteen to seek God. Today he gives daily satsang, and his talks reach millions through his ashram's official channels.
Who is Premanand Ji Maharaj's guru?
He received diksha into the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya from Shri Hit Mohit Maral Goswami Ji, and was given the name Premanand. His Sadguru is Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj, who initiated him into Sahachari bhav. He served Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj closely for about ten years.
Where is Premanand Ji Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan?
His ashram is Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, at Varaha Ghat in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Daily satsang, aarti and Ekantik Vartalap are held there. Gurushakti is not associated with the ashram; for timings and his teachings, please refer to the ashram's official channels.
What is Ekantik Vartalap?
Ekantik Vartalap means a one-to-one conversation. At Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, devotees put their own questions to Premanand Ji Maharaj, often about everyday problems such as anger, stress and relationships, and he answers in plain language. These conversations are recorded and shared through the ashram's official channels.
What does Premanand Ji Maharaj teach about Naam jap?
He teaches that constant, loving remembrance of the Divine Name, especially the name "Radha", is the simplest and surest spiritual practice. It can be practised softly throughout the day, at work or at home. His greeting, "Radhe Radhe", carries the same Name into daily life.
Sources
Researched and written by GuruShakti, October 2026.