# Premanand Govind Sharan

Premanand Govind Sharan (born Aniruddh Kumar Pandey, 1969), known to his followers as Premanand, is an Indian Hindu guru. He belongs to the Radhavallabh Sect.

## Early years

Premanand was born in 1969 in the Akhri village, Sarsaul Block, near Kanpur to Rama Devi and Shambhu Pandey. At the age of 13 he left his ancestral home and took sannyasa.

## Spiritual learnings and moved to Vrindavan

After he initiated into celibacy and took on the ascetic vows of Sannyasa, he was given the name Anandswaroop Brahmachari, who thereafter accepted Sannyasa. On accepting the Mahavakya, he was named Swami Anandashram. He lived most of his early life as a spiritual seeker on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. While in Vrindavan meditating beneath a peepal tree, a saint requested him repeatedly to watch Raas Leela the next day, which Premanand Maharaj accepted reluctantly as god's will. He initiated into the Radhavallabhi Sampradaya by attaining the "Sharanagati Mantra" and met his current Sadgurudev Pujya Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharanji Maharaj or Bade Guruji. Bade Guruji gave him the "Nij Mantra," which is the initiation of "Sahachari Bhava" and "Nitya Vihar Rasa," which let him enter the Rasik Saints.

## Guru

A Radhavallabhi Goswami ji initiated Maharaj into the Radhavallabhi sect through the "Sharanagati Mantra." A few days later, at Pujya Shri Goswami Ji's insistence, Maharaj Ji met his current Sadgurudev, Pujya Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharanji Maharaj, also called Bade Guruji, one of the most revered and well known Saints of Sahachari Bhava. Pujya Shri Hit Gaurangi Sharanji Maharaj gave him the "Niz Mantra," which is the initiation of "Sahachari Bhava" and "Nitya Vihar Rasa," i.e. Thus, Pujya Maharaj ji has entered the Rasik Saints.

## Trust

The Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust Vrindavan is a non-profit organization founded in 2016. The states aim of the trust is to work for the betterment and upliftment of society and its people. It offers logding, food, clothing, medical care, and other necessities to pilgrimages to Vrindavan Dham.

## Spiritual Teachings & Philosophy

From early phase, he has stated to oppose the hierarchical life of the ashram. He discusses that spirituality is the essence of life, existence, and truth. and emphasis that Guru has great importance in everyone's life. Spiritual power maintains harmony in personal and social relationships. A negative character can be very dangerous; don't spoil your character. Preserve the invaluable asset of celibacy (Brahmacharya), which greatly assists in leading a healthy, balanced, and spiritually oriented life.

## Controversy

In June 2024, a video of Premanand Govind Sharan Maharaj went viral on social media. In his discourse, KathaVachak Pradeep Mishra of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh stated that Radha Rani's birthplace is not Barsana. Radha hails from Rawal village, and her marriage took place in Chhata. Radha ji's father used to hold court in Barsana and she would only visit there once a year. Premanand Ji Maharaj questioned Pradeep Mishra for stating these irrelevant statements. He asserts that Pradeep Mishra lacks knowledge of 'Braj Upasana' and is clearly missing the essence of 'Radha Tattva'. He suggested Pradeep Mishra should seek for association of Rasik Saints and study Shrimad Bhagwat and other Shashtras, Puranas properly; only then will he be able to understand 'Radha Tattva'. The people of Braj have also expressed anger towards Pradeep Mishra and asked him to come to Barsana within seven days and apologize at Kishori Ji's temple. In their own words, they declared that Ladli Ji is our honor, pride, and everything. We live with her and will not tolerate anyone speaking ill about her (Shriji). Pradeep Mishra made a public apology for his statements and expressed his great respect and obeisances toward Premanand Maharaj. He promised to visit Barsana as soon as his katha schedule permitted to seek forgiveness from Radha Rani and the Brajvasi people. On 29 June 2024, Pradeep Mishra visited the Sri Radha Rani temple in Barsana seeking apology. By this gesture, Pradeep Mishra has tried to calm down the controversy that has been going on for the past several days which has received the backlash from the entire Sant community.