Vrindavan’s revered saint, Premanand Ji Maharaj, is currently battling complete kidney failure, prompting a wave of concern and prayers from devotees across India, ranging from ordinary followers to prominent celebrities. The respect and devotion he commands are such that numerous devotees have even offered to donate a kidney to him, though the saint has declined these offers, stating that he does not wish to cause pain to others. Kidney donation in India is strictly regulated under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, which permits only close relatives to donate and requires approval from medical and government authorities to prevent illegal organ trade.
Born Anirudh Kumar Pandey in Kanpur, Premanand Ji Maharaj renounced worldly life at the age of 13 and joined the Radhavallabhi Sampradaya in Vrindavan, dedicating his life to Radha-Krishna. Over the years, he gained widespread recognition for his spiritual wisdom, first in Vrindavan and later across India, as documented by his official website, Radha Keli Kunj. His teachings, delivered through satsangs, emphasize love, humility, and complete surrender to the divine. He spent his formative years meditating on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, where he engaged with other saints and deepened his spiritual understanding. Known for his immersion in bhakti yoga and the Rasik tradition, Premanand Ji Maharaj stresses the divine love between Radha and Krishna, alongside celibacy, simplicity, and detachment from material desires.
His ashram in Vrindavan has drawn celebrities and public figures such as Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Hema Malini, Ashutosh Rana, and Elvish Yadav, among others. In recent years, his presence on social media and YouTube has expanded his reach significantly, making him a household name and allowing his teachings to touch devotees across India and beyond. Before his health deteriorated, Premanand Maharaj would undertake a daily padayatra in Vrindavan at 2 am, attracting thousands of devotees who came to seek his blessings.
Premanand Ji Maharaj suffers from a genetic condition known as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which has now led to complete kidney failure. He has been undergoing dialysis for nearly twenty years, and the intensity of his treatment has increased in recent weeks to full-day dialysis sessions. A video showing him with swelling and reddening had caused concern among followers, prompting his ashram, Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Parikar Shridham, to issue a statement confirming that while he remains stable and continues his daily routine, his early morning walks have been indefinitely postponed due to ongoing dialysis. Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes toxins, waste, and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function naturally.
The saint’s popularity and the devotion he inspires are evident in gestures from followers across religions. On Sunday, a Muslim devotee named Sufiyan Allahabadi was filmed in Medina, Saudi Arabia, praying for Premanand Ji Maharaj’s health, holding up his photo and asking Allah to grant him wellness, calling Maharaj a “very good person.” Despite his declining health, Premanand Ji Maharaj continues to share messages of peace, love, and spirituality, remaining a central spiritual figure for his vast and devoted following.
