On October 4, Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan issued a public notice informing devotees that renowned saint Premanand Maharaj would suspend his nightly spiritual walks due to health concerns. The ashram requested followers not to gather along the route for darshan. Just two days later, a video went viral on social media claiming that Maharaj was critically ill, hospitalized, and undergoing daily dialysis.
In response, the ashram clarified that the video was outdated and the claims were false. Premanand Maharaj himself addressed devotees, stating he had been engaged in solitary spiritual reflection for the past three days. He emphasized the growing influence of falsehood in society, saying, “In Kaliyug, lies have become more common than truth. Even where truth is honored, lies find their way in. We must strive to avoid falsehood.”
The viral video, according to the ashram, was based on old footage from a previous hospital visit to Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram. The misleading content caused concern among devotees, prompting the saint to issue a direct message via the Bhajan Marg social media account.
Local police also intervened, warning against the spread of misinformation. They confirmed that Premanand Maharaj is in good health and cautioned that legal action would be taken against those spreading baseless rumors.
On Wednesday, Guru Sharananand Maharaj visited Premanand Maharaj at the ashram. The meeting was deeply emotional. Premanand Maharaj greeted his guru with a respectful bow, embraced him warmly, and expressed heartfelt gratitude. He washed his guru’s feet, offered a garland, and performed aarti in accordance with disciple tradition. Overwhelmed with joy, he said, “I cannot express how elated I feel. I never imagined I would be blessed with the opportunity to serve in this way.”
The moment served as a powerful reminder of the deep spiritual bonds and traditions that continue to thrive in Vrindavan, even amidst modern-day challenges.