84 Vaishnav Story 82 Paramananddasji

Paramanandadas spent a happy childhood in Kanauja. As he grew, his love for Shri Krishna blossomed like a flower. He became a great poet, singing countless beautiful songs about Shri Krishna’s pastimes. People lovingly called him “Swami,” and he had many followers. Among them were musicians who admired his deep devotion.

One night, as Paramanandadas sang with all his heart, something amazing happened. In a dream, he saw Shri Navanita Priyaji, sitting joyfully on Kapur’s lap, listening to his kirtan. Shri Navanita Priyaji laughed and said to him, “Today, after so many days, I have finally heard your songs. Shri Mahaprabhuji’s blessed disciple Kapur came to listen, and I came with him.”

When Paramanandadas awoke, the sweet beauty of Shri Krishna’s form filled his mind. It shone brighter than a million love gods. His heart longed to see that divine vision again. He thought, “All these years I have sung about Shri Krishna, but only now did I receive such grace. It must be because Kapur came to hear me. I should meet him and thank him.”

Later, Paramanandadas traveled to Prayag for the Maha Makar festival. Across the river, in Adel, Shri Mahaprabhuji was staying. People from Adel who had heard Paramanandadas sing told Shri Mahaprabhuji about him. Shri Mahaprabhuji said kindly, “He is surely talented. He must be a divine soul.”

Kapur, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple, carried water as his service. But he also loved music and longed to hear Paramanandadas. One day, a Vaishnava visiting Adel told Kapur that Paramanandadas sang every night for hours. On the eleventh lunar day, he would sing all night. Kapur was excited and went to listen.

That night, Paramanandadas sang with deep feeling. His first song described the pain of the people of Braja after Shri Krishna left for Mathura. He then sang about the gopis speaking to Uddhava, Shri Krishna’s messenger, when he tried teaching them yoga. For the whole night, his songs were filled with longing and separation. As dawn neared, he finished singing. Kapur, moved by the music, greeted him with, “Jai Shri Krishna” and returned to Adel, convinced that Paramanandadas’s singing was truly divine.

Exhausted, Paramanandadas fell asleep. Again, in his dream, he saw Shri Navanita Priyaji laughing happily, sitting on Kapur’s lap. Shri Navanita Priyaji said, “It was because of Kapur’s visit that I came to hear you.” When he awoke, Paramanandadas felt speechless. He thought, “If Shri Krishna Himself listened to my songs because of Kapur, it must be because Shri Mahaprabhuji is his guru. I wish to become Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple too.”

Soon, Paramanandadas went to Adel and saw Shri Mahaprabhuji performing prayers on the Yamuna’s banks. As he watched, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s divine form appeared before his eyes, filling him with awe. Shri Mahaprabhuji looked at him and said, “Paramanandadas, sing something of Shri Krishna’s lilas.”

With folded hands, Paramanandadas bowed low and sang a song about Shri Krishna’s departure from Braja to Mathura. Shri Mahaprabhuji then asked, “Sing about Shri Krishna’s childhood pastimes.”

Paramanandadas humbly replied, “I don’t know about the Lord’s childhood lilas.” Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and said, “Go bathe in the Yamuna. Afterwards, I will explain it to you.”

After his bath, Paramanandadas went with Kapur to Shri Mahaprabhuji’s temple. There, Shri Mahaprabhuji had completed decorating Shri Nathji and offering Him food. Paramanandadas bowed deeply. Shri Mahaprabhuji gave him a seat and began to teach him the Tenth Canto of the Shrimad Bhagavatam. As Shri Mahaprabhuji spoke, a wave of divine love and wisdom washed over Paramanandadas. He felt Shri Krishna’s lilas and form enter his heart.

From that day on, Paramanandadas began composing sweet songs about Shri Krishna’s childhood lilas. His earlier songs had expressed the pain of separation, but now they carried the joy of union. Shri Mahaprabhuji was very pleased and gave him the seva of singing all day for Shri Navanita Priyaji.

One day, as they traveled together, Paramanandadas invited Shri Mahaprabhuji to his home in Kanauja. He prepared offerings for Shri Krishna with great devotion. After Shri Mahaprabhuji offered the food and took prasada, he asked Paramanandadas to sing.

Remembering Shri Mahaprabhuji’s deep love for Shri Krishna’s Braja lilas, Paramanandadas began a song of separation. But as he sang the first line, Shri Mahaprabhuji became so absorbed in Shri Krishna’s pastimes that he lost awareness of the world for three days. The Vaishnavas quietly stayed nearby, understanding the depth of their guru’s devotion. When Shri Mahaprabhuji finally opened his eyes, everyone rejoiced. Paramanandadas decided never again to sing such intense songs of separation in front of his guru, fearing that Shri Mahaprabhuji might leave this world completely absorbed in Shri Krishna’s lilas.

Later, in Gokul, Shri Mahaprabhuji taught him the Yamunashtak. As he learned, Shri Yamunaji’s divine form shone in his heart, and he sang of her glories with love.

In Govardhan, Shri Mahaprabhuji took Paramanandadas to Shri Nathji’s temple and asked him to sing for Shri Nathji. Paramanandadas felt overwhelmed by the infinite lilas but composed a poem praising Shri Krishna’s incarnation, his playful pastimes, the beauty of His lotus feet, and the sweetness of His form. Shri Mahaprabhuji was delighted and later offered him prasada milk from the temple. When Paramanandadas found it too hot, Shri Mahaprabhuji lovingly told the cooks to offer milk at a perfect drinking temperature in the future.

With Shri Mahaprabhuji’s blessings, Paramanandadas composed thousands of poems filled with the tender moods of Shri Krishna’s lilas. His songs became a treasure for all devotees, teaching them love, devotion, and the sweetness of Shri Krishna’s divine play.

Poem: The Songs of Love

In Kanauja’s lanes, a poet sang,

Songs of Shri Krishna, his heart would clang.

Kapur came listening, so pure and true,

Shri Navanita Priyaji smiled at the view.

Shri Mahaprabhuji’s grace flowed so wide,

Paramanandadas sat with tears in his eyes.

Childhood lilas began to bloom,

Sweet as flowers in fragrant perfume.

Govardhan echoed with tunes of delight,

Shri Nathji listened with joy so bright.

With Yamunaji’s song in his tender heart,

He vowed from his guru to never part.

Sing of love with a heart so free,

Where Krishna’s lilas dance endlessly.

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