Premanand Swami

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Premanand Swami
Premanand Swami

Premanand Swami (Devnagari: प्रेमान्द स्वामी) (Vikram Samvat 1840-1911) was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and one of Lord Swaminarayan's paramhansas.

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[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Chesta Pad

Gopalanand Swami requested Premanand Swami to compile the Chesta Pad, which vividly describes Lord Swaminarayan's daily routine and habits.

[edit] 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.

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