When Premanand Maharaj, spiritual leader of Kaili Kunj Ashram announced he wants his kidneys to fail in every rebirth, devotees in Vrindavan, Mathura district, were stunned.
Background of the Saint
Premanand Maharaj has been a fixture in the holy town of Vrindavan for more than a decade. Followers describe him as a charismatic figure who blends traditional bhakti with contemporary storytelling. His ashram, perched near the banks of the Yamuna, draws pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
While many saints in the region preach detachment from the body, Premanand has always been open about his own health struggles, especially his chronic kidney condition that has rendered both kidneys non‑functional for years.
Health Crisis and Daily Dialysis
According to a Live Hindustan report dated 13 October 2025, the saint’s condition worsened in early October. Video footage that went viral showed his face swollen, veins pronounced, a visual cue that alarmed regular visitors.
He now undergoes kidney failure‑related dialysis every day at the ashram’s modest medical corner. Republic Bharat’s YouTube coverage (timestamp 306) confirms the twins are “both damaged” and that the treatment is a daily routine.
The Controversial Statement
During a gathering on 14 October 2025, the saint said, “मैं चाहता हूंं कि हर जन्म में मेरी किडनी फेल हो जाए” – I want my kidneys to fail in every birth. Navbharat Times quoted him verbatim, emphasizing the phrase “बार‑बार जन्म हो और हर बार मेरी किडनी फेल हो जाए.”
Why would a spiritual teacher wish such a fate on himself? Premanand answered, “जो उन्हें किडनी फेल होने से मिला वह साधना से नहीं,” meaning the insight he has gained from this illness cannot be achieved through ordinary sadhana. The statement sparked heated debate on social media, with some calling it profound, others labeling it shocking.
Visit from Baba Bagheshwar
On the same day, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, known as Baba Bagheshwar, head of Bageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand, arrived at the ashram.
Shastri, who leads a major North Indian religious organization, declared, “वह बीमार नहीं हैं, बल्कि यह उनकी लीला है” – He is not sick; this is his divine play. The saint laughed heartily, a moment captured by Live Hindustan and replayed across news channels.
Devotee Mobilization and Public Reaction
From 13 October onward, scores of followers gathered at Kaili Kunj Ashram, chanting, offering flowers, and praying for his quick recovery. Republic Bharat’s timestamp 347 notes a palpable surge in crowd size after the viral video spread.
News outlets in Hindi, including Live Hindustan and Navbharat Times, featured the story on their front pages, turning a private health crisis into a national conversation about faith, mortality, and the role of suffering in spiritual growth.
- Over 5,000 devotees reported visiting the ashram between 13 Oct and 15 Oct 2025.
- Social media hashtags #PremanandKidney and #DivineLeela trended in Uttar Pradesh.
- Religious scholars from Banaras Hindu University were invited to comment, emphasizing the historic precedent of saints embracing physical affliction as a path to moksha.
Wider Implications for Religious Discourse
The episode raises questions about how modern media frames the health of spiritual leaders. In an age where a single video can ignite a frenzy, the line between reverence and sensationalism blurs.
Moreover, the saint’s paradoxical wish forces believers to reconsider the conventional equation of health = virtue. If suffering can be a source of unique insight, what does that mean for the broader bhakti tradition?
What Comes Next?
As of 15 October 2025, Premanand continues daily dialysis. No medical prognosis has been released, and the ashram has not announced any change in treatment.
Authorities from the local health department are reportedly monitoring the situation, though no official intervention has been announced. Meanwhile, Baba Bagheshwar’s visit suggests a growing network of religious figures rallying around one another during crises.
For devotees, the next step is simple: continue prayer, offer donations, and wait for the saint’s next public address, which could come at any moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Premanand Maharaj wish for kidney failure in every rebirth?
He explained that the suffering from his condition gave him a spiritual insight he could not attain through regular meditation or sadhana. In his view, the illness became a form of divine instruction, not merely a medical problem.
What is the significance of Baba Bagheshwar’s comment that the saint’s condition is "leela"?
"Leela" in Hindu philosophy refers to the divine play of the cosmos. By calling the ailment a leela, Shastri suggested that the saint’s suffering is part of a larger, purposeful divine drama rather than a misfortune.
How many people have gathered at Kaili Kunj Ashram since the news broke?
Reports from Republic Bharat indicate that more than 5,000 devotees visited the ashram between 13 October and 15 October 2025, many staying for hours to chant and offer prayers.
Is there any medical plan announced for the saint’s treatment?
No official medical plan has been disclosed. The ashram continues daily dialysis, and local health officials are monitoring the situation without publicizing any interventions.
What does this incident tell us about the role of media in religious affairs?
The rapid spread of a short video turned a private health issue into a nationwide debate, highlighting how modern media can amplify spiritual narratives, sometimes blurring lines between reverence, sensationalism, and public scrutiny.
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