- Premanand Swami
Premanand Swami (
Devnagari : प्रेमान्द स्वामी) (Vikram Samvat 1840-1911) was a saint of theSwaminarayan Sampraday and one of Lord Swaminarayan's paramhansas.Biography
Premanand Swami was born to Hindu (Brahmin) parents in the town of Dora Bharuch in Vikram Samvat 1840 and named Hathiram on birth. His parents abandoned him at a young age. A Muslim family raised him, his foster father was Dosatai.
Dosatai wanted Hathiram to learn the art of music. For this reason Dosatai sent Hathiram to
Vadodara to learn music. His liaison with the Lord began when Lord Swaminarayan arranged a musical concert, which Dosatai and Hathiram both attended. This is where the affection and love between Hathiram and Lord Swaminarayan commenced. Thereafter Hathiram stayed with Lord.When given diksha, he was named Nijbodhanand Swami. His name was later changed to Premanand, due to his extreme love for Lord, Lord Swaminarayan praised Premanand Swami as an idol of love. Premanand Swami died in Vikram Samvat 1911 in
Gadhada .Music and Poetry
Premanand Swami was a born poet, a great singer, as well as a proficient musician. He composed the words of the Chesta Pad, which is sung and recited daily at all
Swaminarayan Temples . He also wrote the Premanand Kavya.Swaminarayan Bhagwan also often referred to him as "Premsakhi." Thus, many of his kirtans/pads end with "Premsakhi kahe..."Chesta Pad
Gopalanand Swami requested Premanand Swami to compile the Chesta Pad, which vividly describes Lord Swaminarayan's daily routine and habits.Vandu Pad
Premanand Swami compiled the Vandu Pad, before the Lord's passing, for the purpose of meditation on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Maha Vikram Samvat 1880. The Vandu Pad describe the beauty and appearance of Lord Swaminarayan.
References
* [http://hinduamerica.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=42 Swaminarayan by H.V. Shivadas]
* [http://www.vadtal.com/our-saints-9.html Premanand Swami]
* [http://www.swaminarayan-oldham.org/Life_and_Faith_Book/Contents/Contents__Life_and_Faith.htm Life and faith of Lord Swaminarayan]External links
* [http://swaminarayan.info Official website of the Swaminarayan Sampraday]
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