Premanand Swami
Encyclopedia
Swaminarayan Sampraday
Swaminarayan Sampraday , known previously as the Uddhav Sampraday, is a Hindu sect established by Swaminarayan...
and one of Swaminarayan's paramhansas.
Biography
Premanand Swami was born to HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
(Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
) parents in the town of Dora Bharuch in 1784 and named Hathiram on birth. His parents abandoned him at a young age. A Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
family raised him, his foster father was Dosatai.
Dosatai wanted Hathiram to learn music. For this reason Dosatai sent Hathiram to Vadodara
Vadodara
Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is the third most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat . It is one of the four cities with the population of over 1 million...
. His liaison with the Swaminarayan began when Swaminarayan arranged a musical concert, which Dosatai and Hathiram both attended. Attracted to Swaminarayan; thereafter Hathiram stayed with him. When given diksha
Diksha
Diksa also spelled deeksha or deeksa in common usage, translated as a "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony", is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism...
, he was named Nijbodhanand Swami. His name was later changed to Premanand, due to his extreme love he showed, Swaminarayan praised Premanand Swami as an idol of love.
Music and Poetry
Premanand Swami was known for his poetic and musical talent. Premanand Swami composed the words of the Chesta Pad, which is sung and recited daily at all Swaminarayan TemplesSwaminarayan temples
Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, established temples, known as mandirs , as part of his philosophy of theism and deity worship. These mandirs are known as Swaminarayan Hindu temples....
. He also wrote the Premanand Kavya. Swaminarayan also often referred to him as "Premsakhi."
Gopalanand Swami
Gopalanand Swami
Gopalanand Swami was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and one of Swaminarayan's paramhansas.-Biography:...
requested Premanand Swami to compile the Chesta Pad, which vividly describes Swaminarayan's daily routine and habits. Premanand Swami compiled the Vandu Pad, prior to Swaminarayan's death, for the purpose of meditation. The Vandu Pad describes the beauty and appearance of Swaminarayan.