Premanand Govind Sharan

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 traction on digital platforms such as YouTube, drawing a demographic of young adults and urban professionals. He has maintained a daily routine of public engagement despite experiencing 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. His father, Shambhu Pandey, was involved in devotional practices, and his mother, Rama Devi, was a homemaker who regularly hosted wandering saints.

His family had a 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 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 interest in 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. It was during this initiation that he abandoned his previous monastic titles and adopted the name Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan. While observing 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 recounted experiencing a vision (darshan) of the Hindu deity Shiva. According to him, this 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 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 local girl in Vrindavan whose brief question in the regional dialect—"Jayego baba?" (Will you go, baba?)—prompted him to change his plans to leave the town. Additionally, he describes an 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 manifestation of Krishna.

Public presence and media While traditional saints of the Radha Vallabh sect historically preferred solitude and obscurity, he has gained a large 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. whose visits received media coverage when they were photographed sitting barefoot on the floor alongside other attendees. Other prominent figures who have publicly met with him include Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, singer B Praak, and actress Shilpa Shetty.

2025 remarks on relationships In July 2025, a video circulated on social media in which Premanand spoke on contemporary relationships and sexual morality. In the recording, he commented on marital fidelity, questioned whether individuals with multiple prior partners could maintain faithful marriages, and criticized live-in relationships.

The remarks drew criticism from sections of the public, social commentators, and women's rights organizations, while several religious figures expressed support for his views. Following the public discussion surrounding his statements, local media reported that a death threat against him was posted on Facebook.

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. 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.