Premanand Govind Sharan

Premanand Govind Sharan
प्रेमानंद गोविंद शरण
Premanand with his disciples
Title	Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
Personal life
Born	Aniruddh Kumar Pandey (1971-03-30) 30 March 1971 Akhri village, Sarsaul block, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Parent(s)	Shambhu Pandey (father) Rama Devi (mother)
Other names	Anandswaroop Brahmachari, Swami Anandashram
Website	vrindavanrasmahima.com
Religious life
Religion	Hinduism
Philosophy	Bhakti Rasa, Rasopasana
Sect	Radha Vallabh Sampradaya
Religious career
Organization	Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust

Premanand Govind Sharan (born Aniruddh Kumar Pandey; 30 March 1971), commonly referred to as Premanand Maharaj, is an Indian Hindu ascetic and spiritual leader based in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. He is an initiated monk of the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, a Vaishnava denomination that emphasizes devotion to the Hindu deities Radha Krishna, with a particular theological focus on the supremacy of the goddess Radha.

He delivers public spiritual discourses (satsangs) and hosts private question-and-answer sessions known as Ekantik Vartalap at his ashram, Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, in Vrindavan. Over the late 2010s and early 2020s, recordings of his discourses gained significant traction on digital platforms such as YouTube, drawing a large demographic of young adults and urban professionals. He has maintained a daily routine of public engagement despite suffering from complete kidney failure, requiring daily dialysis for over fifteen years.

Early life and background

Premanand Govind Sharan was born as Aniruddh Kumar Pandey on 30 March 1971 in Akhri, a rural village located in the Sarsaul administrative block of the Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. He was born into a Brahmin family known for its religious involvement. His father, Shambhu Pandey, was heavily involved in devotional practices, and his mother, Rama Devi, was a homemaker who regularly hosted wandering saints.

His family had a strong tradition of asceticism and scripture reading. His grandfather had previously renounced household life to take Sannyasa (asceticism), and his elder brother regularly recited verses from the Shrimad Bhagavatam. According to his biographical accounts, Aniruddh was exposed to Hindu scriptures at an early age. By the time he was in the fifth grade, he had begun reading the Bhagavad Gita and the Shri Sukhsagar, displaying an early inclination towards monastic life.

Spiritual journey

Asceticism in Varanasi

At the age of 13, Aniruddh left his home in Kanpur to pursue a monastic life. He adopted the vows of a naishthik brahmachari (a lifelong celibate ascetic) and relocated to Varanasi (Kashi), a major religious centre in Uttar Pradesh.

Premanand living as an ascetic in his youth

During his time in Varanasi, he lived primarily on the ghats along the Ganga river. Within the monastic community, he was initially given the name Anandswaroop Brahmachari and was later addressed as Swami Anandashram after undergoing further initiation. For several years, he engaged in traditional ascetic practices, which included continuous meditation, studying classical Hindu philosophy, and sustaining himself solely on bhiksha (alms) collected from local residents. According to profiles on his life, his routine in Varanasi involved prolonged periods of fasting and solitude, characteristic of the Shaiva and Vedantic monastic traditions prevalent in the city.

Relocation to Vrindavan

Following his period of asceticism in Varanasi, he relocated to Vrindavan, the theological centre of Krishna-centric Vaishnavism. According to traditional narratives from his ashram, this relocation was prompted by an encounter with a fellow monk who advised him to visit Vrindavan to observe the Ras Leela traditions.

Upon arriving in Vrindavan, his early routine consisted of performing the Vrindavan Parikrama (circumambulation of the holy town) and visiting the Bankey Bihari Temple. He was later introduced to the Shri Radha Vallabh Mandir, which significantly influenced his theological outlook.

Initiation into Radha Vallabh Sampradaya

He formally joined the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, a Hindu denomination founded in the 16th century by the mystic Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu. This tradition diverges from other Vaishnava sects by placing supreme theological importance on Radha, viewing Krishna as entirely subservient to her divine love (Rasopasana).

Premanand (right) with his guru, Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan

He received his formal initiation (diksha) and the Sharanagati Mantra from his spiritual master, Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharan Ji Maharaj. It was during this initiation that he abandoned his previous monastic titles and adopted the name Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan.

Ashram and operations

He is the head of the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj, an ashram located at Varaha Ghat on the Parikrama Marg in Vrindavan. The ashram serves as the central hub for his spiritual discourses and the philanthropic activities of the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust.

Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram located on the Parikrama Marg in Vrindavan

The daily routine at the ashram begins early, with him conducting the morning satsang (spiritual discourse) between 4:15 AM and 5:45 AM. Following this, the ashram hosts Ekantik Vartalap (exclusive conversations), where visitors who have pre-registered ask specific questions related to spirituality, ethics, and personal struggles.

The trust manages several charitable initiatives in the Braj region. This includes a daily Bhandara (community kitchen) that provides free meals to thousands of visiting pilgrims, sadhus (ascetics), and local widows. The ashram also operates free medical dispensaries and distributes clothing to the underprivileged. He enforces a strict egalitarian policy at the ashram; there is no preferential seating or fast-track entry (VIP culture) for politicians, celebrities, or wealthy donors. All attendees are required to sit together on the floor during discourses. In recent years, the ashram has issued public advisories warning devotees against fraudulent organizations soliciting donations or selling property in his name, reiterating that all services at Radha Keli Kunj are entirely free.

Teachings and philosophy

His teachings are anchored in the theology of the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya. His primary instruction revolves around Radha-Dasyam—the concept of selfless servitude to the goddess Radha, whom the sect considers the absolute supreme deity.

His discourses focus on several core tenets:

• Naam Japa (Chanting): He advocates for the unbroken, internal chanting of the divine name (specifically "Radha") with every breath. He teaches that in the current age of Kali Yuga, silent meditation on the holy name is the most accessible path to spiritual liberation.
• Brahmacharya (Celibacy): He places a strong emphasis on celibacy and sensory control. He frequently addresses the youth on the psychological and spiritual benefits of sexual discipline, urging followers to redirect their physical energies toward spiritual pursuits.
• Nishkam Karma (Selfless Action): In his Ekantik Vartalap sessions, he advises individuals struggling with modern issues—such as career stress, depression, and familial conflicts—to perform their worldly duties without attachment to the results, relying entirely on divine will (Sharanagati).

Spiritual accounts and teachings

In his public discourses, he has frequently shared mystical and personal encounters that he credits with shaping his spiritual journey. While observing severe austerities as a sannyasi in Varanasi under the vow of akash-vritti—a monastic practice of relying entirely on providence without begging for food—he recounts experiencing a divine vision (darshan) of the Hindu deity Shiva. According to him, this profound encounter acted as a catalyst, directing him to relocate to Vrindavan and dedicate his life to the worship of Radha and Krishna.

His teachings often utilize these wondrous encounters to impart spiritual lessons. He has recounted an incident on the banks of the Ganges where an intoxicated man approached him and taught him the value of spiritual endurance (titiksha). The man pointed to a nearby temple, noting that both the worshipped deity and the floor were made of the exact same marble; however, only the stone that endured the painful strikes of the sculptor's hammer became divine.

Other subtle interventions central to his public discourses include a mysterious young local girl in Vrindavan whose brief question in the regional dialect—"Jayego baba?" (Will you go, baba?)—moved him to abandon his plans to leave the holy town. Additionally, he describes a miraculous encounter during the rigorous Dandavat Parikrama around Govardhan Hill, where a young boy asking for a single rupee was interpreted by him and his guru as a sudden, divine manifestation of Krishna.

Public presence and media

While traditional saints of the Radha Vallabh sect historically preferred solitude and obscurity, he has gained a massive public following due to the proliferation of his videos on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. His official YouTube channel, Bhajan Marg, broadcasts his daily discourses and Q&A sessions to millions of subscribers.

His method of directly addressing modern psychological and lifestyle issues through the lens of traditional Hindu scriptures has attracted a large demographic of young professionals. Consequently, his ashram has become a frequent destination for high-profile public figures seeking guidance.

Notable visitors to Radha Keli Kunj include former Indian national cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, whose visits garnered widespread media coverage when they were photographed sitting barefoot on the floor alongside common devotees. Other prominent figures who have publicly met with him include Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, singer B Praak, and actress Shilpa Shetty.

Controversies

Comments concerning women's clothing in temples

In November 2024, while answering a question from a temple priest about women wearing short clothing in temples, Premanand said that people should first correct their own “gaze” and cautioned against confronting women about their clothing unless they had specifically sought guidance on the issue. He also said that religious guidance could be given when someone specifically asked whether such clothing was appropriate

2025 remarks on women and live-in relationships

In July 2025, a video of Premanand discussing relationships and sexual morality circulated widely on social media. In the video, he said that only approximately two to four girls out of 100 lived what he described as a “pure” life and questioned whether someone who had previously had several romantic partners could become a faithful spouse. He also criticised live-in relationships, describing them as “a treasure of filth”.

The remarks generated controversy and criticism from sections of the public, social activists and women's organisations. NDTV reported that some religious figures supported his position while others criticised the remarks.

The controversy was subsequently followed by a reported death threat against Premanand on Facebook. The threat was reported in connection with the discussion surrounding his remarks about contemporary relationships and morality.

Health condition

He has been diagnosed with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), a genetic disorder that causes clusters of cysts to develop within the kidneys. This condition resulted in complete kidney failure approximately 15 to 20 years ago. He undergoes daily dialysis treatments that last up to five hours.

Since being diagnosed, numerous devotees have offered to donate their kidneys for a transplant. In September 2024, British-Indian businessman Raj Kundra publicly offered to donate a kidney to the ascetic. However, he has consistently declined all organ donation offers. He has publicly stated his refusal to cause physical harm or discomfort to another individual for his own survival, expressing a preference to accept his physical deterioration as the will of God.

Bibliography

Several compilations of his teachings and discourses have been published under the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust:

• Brahmcharya - Kab, Kyon aur Kaise? (2025) – ISBN 978-81-980039-1-1
• Celibacy - When, why and how? (2025) – ISBN 978-81-980039-0-4
• Shri Hit Harivansh Charitamrit (2025) – ISBN 978-81-980039-9-7
• Spiritual Awakening (Vol 1) (2024) – ISBN 978-81-971056-5-4
• 365 Divine Sutras Quotation (2026) – ISBN 978-81-996765-1-0

See also

• Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu
• Radha Vallabh Sampradaya
• Vrindavan
• Vaishnavism

External links

• Official Website of Vrindavan Ras Mahima
• Official YouTube Channel