Biography of Shri Surdas Ji

Shri Nabhadas Ji describes the glories of Shri Surdas Ji in Bhaktamal -

Surdas's poetry is full of unique utterances and nectarine rhymes with beautiful alliteration. The letters and the word configuration are beautifully placed. The love he raised at the beginning of the poem was followed till the end. There is a wonderful consonance in his words and the rhymes are also mixed wonderfully. By the grace of the Lord, he got a divine vision, due to which the pastimes of the Lord were imprinted in his heart. That is why he described the divine pastimes, qualities, forms of his Lord with his tongue. Whoever listens with his ears to the qualities of the Lord sung by Shri Surdas Ji, his intellect becomes full of pure qualities. There will be hardly any person who does not shake his head in admiration after listening to the poetry of Shri Surdas Ji.

Shri Surdas Ji himself has described in relation to his lineage tradition through a verse in "Sahitya Lahiri" that a child had appeared from the Yagya (fire sacrifice) of Maharaj Prithu, who was named Brahmarao.

Brahmarao became a Brahmana by appearing in the lineage of Shri Prithu Ji. Later in the lineage of Brahmarao, there was a very brave and mighty King Chand, who was the ruler of Jwaladesh. In this lineage, in 1478, Surajchand (Surdas) was born, who was blind since birth.

Shri Surdas's father was a great musician, so Shri Surdas Ji started taking music lessons from his childhood. He used to play the ektara instrument and practiced singing. Shri Surdas Ji was endowed with a very sharp intellect and having knowledge of the scriptures, he used to compose verses of the Lord and sing.

Once, the entire family of Surajchand was killed in the war, but Surajchand could not fight due to being blind. For some reason, he fell into a well near the battlefield. In the well, he called for help but no one heard his voice. After seven days, Shri Krishna himself came and saved Surajchand's life. Shri Krishna took Surajchand's hand and pulled him out of the well.

By the touch of Shri Krishna, Surajchand came to know that He is none other than Lord himself. Surajchand quickly grabbed Shri Krishna's hand but Shri Krishna released his hand and started leaving. Suraj Chand said on this

On this, the Lord was pleased and gave him eyes, from which he got the vision of Lord. Surdas has also mentioned in his Sur Saravali about getting the vision of the Lord.

Shri Krishna said to him "ask for a boon". Surajchand asked for 3 boons. For the first boon, Surajchand asked for exclusive devotion, in the second boon he asked that my enemies should be destroyed, and the third boon he asked "I should never be able to see anyone else with the eyes with which I have seen you." Shri Krishna assured by saying "It will be so" and said that "Your enemies will be destroyed by the Brahman clan of the South and you will be full of intelligence and learning."

Shri Krishna gave him the name Surdas and Surshyam and he disappeared. Now Surajchand's name has become Shri Surdas.

The boon that Surdas asked here also means that he asked for the boon of the destruction of the enemies such as lust, anger, greed, on which the Lord said that your enemies will be destroyed by the Brahmana of the South. The Brahmana of the South was none other than Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya who infused the love of God into the heart of Shri Surdas.

As soon as the Lord gave darshan, Shri Surdas took a vow that I will only stay in Braj Dham.

Shri Surdas Ji started living near Braj in Gaughat between Agra and Mathura. Many people there got attracted by his songs and came to him, out of which many people became his servants. Shri Surdas Ji used to compose poems and sing in beautiful ragas.

Once, Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya Ji came to Gaughat from Adail, Prayag. Here Mahaprabhu took a bath and bowed to the Sun God, then he started cooking food for the Lord.

Here a servant informed Shri Surdas Ji that Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya has come nearby along with many of his followers. He defeated many pundits and scholars and have engaged them in the path of the devotion of Shri Krishna.

Shri Surdas Ji listened to the servant and said to him, "You go there and sit and watch from afar. As soon as Mahaprabhu will take the prasad and sit on the seat, at the same time come and inform me, then I will go to see him."

The servant went there and sat down.

Mahaprabhu cooked food and offered it to the Lord. After some time, he ate the prasad, after which he sat on his seat. All the disciples and servants also sat nearby. That servant of Shri Surdas Ji came and narrated all the stories to Shri Surdas Ji.

Shri Surdas Ji immediately came to see Shri Mahaprabhu Ji and sat down behind all the disciples. When Mahaprabhu saw him, he said, "Surdas, come sit here."

Shri Surdas Ji came near Mahaprabhu and sat in front. Mahaprabhu said, 
"Sur, please describe something about the Lord."

Shri Surdas Ji said "as you wish" and started singing a poem -

Shri Mahaprabhu said "sing something else"

Shri Surdas Ji started singing another poem -

Mahaprabhu, listening to these poems of Shri Surdas Ji, said, "If you sing so well, then why are you crying and defaming yourself, describe some qualities of Lord."

Shri Surdas Ji said, “O Mahaprabhu Ji, the divine pastimes of the Lord hasn't appeared in my heart.”

Mahaprabhu said, "Okay, go take a bath, I will explain to you the divine pastimes of the Lord."

Shri Surdas Ji came after taking a bath. Then Mahaprabhu first initiated him in pushtimarg by giving the name of Shri Krishna to Shri Surdas Ji. After a few days, he helped Surdas surrendered at the feet of Shri Krishna. Sometimes later, Mahaprabhu narrated to Shri Surdas Ji the index of the tenth canto of his Subodhini commentary of Shrimad Bhagavatam, in which only the pastimes of Shri Krishna is described. Hearing this, all the faults of Shri Surdas Ji were removed and he got pure devotion unto the Lotus Feet of Shri Krishna. All the pastimes mentioned in the tenth canto appeared in his heart. Now Shri Surdas Ji composed a poem related to a pastime and sang in front of Mahaprabhu -

After listening to this verse, Mahaprabhu understood that the pastimes had appeared in the heart of Shri Surdas Ji. After some time, Shri Surdas Ji sang this poem of Shri Krishna's birth pastime -

Hearing this poem, Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya Ji was very pleased and said "It seems that Surdas was very near" (that is, Shri Surdas Ji was in Nand Palace and was singing while watching with his eyes).

After this Shri Surdas Ji got all his servants initiated from Mahaprabhu. Later Shri Surdas Ji composed many poems. After some time Mahaprabhu narrated the Purushottama Sahasranama to Shri Surdas Ji, due to which, the entire Shrimad Bhagwat appeared in his heart. After this, Shri Surdas Ji composed poems from the first canto to the twelfth canto according to Shrimad Bhagwat, which is compiled in the book called Sursagar.

After a few days, Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya Ji came to Braj Dham. Shri Surdas Ji also joined the company. Mahaprabhu first came to Gokul in Braj and said to Shri Surdas Ji "Surdas! have darshan of Shri Gokul".

Shri Surdas Ji immediately bowed down to Shri Gokul. As soon as he bowed down, the childhood pastimes of Shri Krishna of Shri Gokul dham immediately appeared in the heart of Shri Surdas Ji. Mahaprabhu had already established the entire Srimad Bhagwat in the heart of Shri Surdas Ji, so as soon as he saw Gokul, the childhood pastimes appeared in the heart of Shri Surdas Ji. Shri Surdas Ji thought in his mind that I should sing the childhood pastimes of Gokul in front of Mahaprabhu. He began to recite -

On hearing this poem, Mahaprabhu was very pleased. After this Shri Surdas Ji sang many more poems. After listening to these padas, Mahaprabhu thought that in the temple of Shrinath Ji, all the services have been assigned but the service of Kirtan has not been assigned, this service should be given only to Surdas.

Mahaprabhu now took Shri Surdas Ji to the temple of Shrinath Ji in Govardhan. After taking bath, Mahaprabhu came to the temple on the top of the mountain and asked Shri Surdas Ji to come to the temple to see Shrinathji after taking bath. Shri Surdas Ji came to the temple after taking bath and had darshan of Shrinath Ji. Mahaprabhu said "Surdas, narrate something to Shrinathji"

Shri Surdas Ji sang a poem -

Hearing this poem, Mahaprabhu said, "Oh Surdas, now there is no ignorance left in your conscience, the Lord has removed everything, so describe the glory of God."

Then Shri Surdas Ji sang the poem -

On hearing this poem, Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya was very pleased.

Shri Surdas Ji composed many poems which started spreading in the country-longitude.

Once upon a time in Delhi, when Emperor Akbar heard the poem of Shri Surdas Ji, he was very impressed and started thinking that if he could meet Shri Surdas Ji for any reason then it will be great, I could hear him. According to the will of God, Shri Surdas Ji came to Akbar's court. Akbar said "Surdas Ji, I have heard that you have composed many poems. I have been made king by God, so all the virtuous praise me. You also tell something."

Shri Surdas Ji narrated a poem -

By meditating on this poem, God's grace will remain forever and disinterest in the world will remain forever. There will always be fear of misbehavior and there will always be a desire for the company of the devotees. Love will always remain at the Lotus Feet of Shri Hari. Shri Surdas Ji narrated this poem to Akbar so that he could always stay away from attachment. On hearing this poem, Emperor Akbar was very pleased and said

"Lord has given me this kingdom, so all virtuous people sing my praises. So please sing some of my praises."

Shri Surdas started singing -

Hearing this poem, Akbar started thinking that why Shri Surdas Ji will sing my fame,  he doesn't have any greed from me that he will sing my praise, he is a pure devotee of Shri Hari. Emperor Akbar started asking Shri Surdas Ji about the last line of the poem.

"Surdas Ji, your eyes cannot see, then how are you dying of thirst and without seeing how are you describing it."

Shri Surdas Ji did not say anything on this. Emperor Akbar said

"Shri Surdas Ji's eyes are staying with the Supreme Lord and keep seeing him and Shri Surdas Ji describes the same."
Then Akbar thought that some gift should be given to Shri Surdas Ji. But then thought that he is a pure devotee of Lord Hari and he has no desire for anything. After this, Shri Surdas Ji came to Shrinathji temple after taking farewell from Akbar.

Once Shri Surdasji went to Gokul with Shri Gusain Ji. There he had darshan of Shri Navneet Priyaji. Then there he sang a poem describing the adornment of the Lord. He described exactly as Shri Navneetpriyaji was adorned. The sons of Shri Gusainji were astonished that Surdas Ji, being blind, could accurately describe the adornment. They thought, of course, Shri Hari resides in his heart and makes him see his form. The next day, to test the ability of Shri Surdas Ji, they did not make Shri Navnitpriyaji wear any adornment. When Shri Surdas Ji came for the darshan of Shri Navnitpriya Ji, Shri Giridharji requested Surdas Ji to describe the adornment of the Lord. At the time of darshan, Shri Surdas Ji had a divine experience and sang the poem in raag bilawal 

Hearing this, all the Acharyas asked Surdas Ji, "What are you describing ?" Surdas Ji immediately replied that I have had wonderful visions of the wonderful adornment of the Lord done by you and accordingly I have described it in my poem.

Shri Surdas Ji pledged to create 1.25 lakh padas. In order to fulfill that resolution, it was only Thakur Ji [Shri Krishn] who made it happen in the end. It is also believed by the devotees that He composed many padas with the chhap [impression] of "Surdas" which were Shri Surdas’s padas and there were some which were created by Lord Krishn [Shri Shyamsundar] himself with the chhap of "Sur Shyam" to make it 1.25 lakh padas in total.

Shri Surdas has composed several lakh poems, which are compiled in many texts. But at present only 5 texts are available -

Shri Surdas Ji has composed this book on the basis of the twelve cantos of Shrimad Bhagwat. There are 12 canto in Sursagar, out of which 11 cantos are brief, but the tenth canto is a vast one in which the poems of the entire Braj pastimes of Shri Krishna are compiled.

More than one lakh poems were compiled in Sursagar but at present only 7000-8000 poems are available.

Sursaravali is also one of the major texts. It has a total of 1107 poems. Surdas Ji wrote this book at the age of 67. The poems of Holi pastimes are compiled in this book.

Sahitya Lahiri is another famous poetry book by Surdas. In this book, many compositions of different types of Krishna devotion have been presented through poetic lines. There are 118 poems compiled in Sahitya Lahiri.

The most important thing about this book is that in its last poem, Surdas Ji has told about his family tree. According to which Surdas was named "Surajdas" and he is a descendant of Chand. This book of Surdas Ji comes under the category of Shringar Rasa.

In this book, the verses of the marriage of Shri Radha Krishna are compiled.

There is a story of Nal and Damayanti in this text, which is from the Mahabharata period.

A lot of years have passed while serving Shrinathji. One day Shri Surdas Ji came to know that now the time has arrived to leave the body. Considering this, Shri Surdas came to Parasauli, the place of Raas pastimes, and thereafter bowing down to the flag of Shrinath Ji's temple, he lay down. Shri Surdas Ji started thinking that now there is not even a little power left in my body, how can I go to see Shrinath Ji and Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji. Shri Gusain Ji is very graceful who fulfills the desires of the devotees, if I could have his darshan now, then it will be my fortune. Shri Surdas Ji is lying down while contemplating Shri Gusain Ji in this way.

Here Shri Gusain Ji was decorating Shrinath Ji. He thought that every day at this time, Shri Surdas Ji sits in the courtyard and narrates the verses of adornment to the Lord. But today he is not present here.

Shri Gusain Ji asked the Vaishnavas "Where is Surdas Ji, where has he gone?" The Vaishnavas said, "Maharaj, today Surdas Ji has been seen going towards Parasauli."

Shri Gusain Ji came to know that today, the time has come for Surdas Ji to leave the body. Then Shri Gusain Ji said to all the servants -

"Today the ship of Pushtimarg is going, take whatever you want, I also come after Rajbhog service."

All the servants went to see Surdas Ji. Whoever comes to Shrinath Ji's temple, Shri Gusain Ji would ask him about Shri Surdas Ji. Everyone used to say that Shri Surdas Ji is unconscious and does not speak anything. Thus it was time for Rajbhog. Shri Gusain Ji performed Rajbhog aarti of the Lord and came out of the temple and reached Parasauli. Inner servants Ramdas Prabhriti, Kumbhandas Ji, Govindaswami, and Chaturbhuj Das Prabhriti were also with them. As soon as Shri Gusain Ji  came, he asked Shri Surdas Ji "Surdas Ji, how are you"

On hearing Shri Gusain Ji's words, Shri Surdas Ji got up and bowed down to Shri Gusain Ji and started saying, "Your Majesty, I was waiting for you." Saying this, Shri Surdas Ji sang a poem in Raag Sarang -

Shri Gusain Ji was very pleased to hear this verse. Kumbhandas Ji standing nearby said

"O Surdas Ji, you have described the glory of Lord a lot, but you have not described the fame of Acharya Mahaprabhu."

Hearing these words of Kumbhandas Ji, Shri Surdas Ji said, "I have only described the fame of Acharya Mahaprabhu. Shrinath Ji and Acharya Mahaprabhu are the same, there is no difference in both of them, but I will sing something according to your wish. "
Saying this Shri Surdas Ji started singing a verse in Raag Bihagrau -

At the end of this poem, Shri Surdas Ji fainted. Shri Gusain Ji said "Surdas Ji, where is your mind fixed at"

Shri Surdas Ji narrated a verse in Raag Bihagrau -

At the end of this poem, Shri Gusain Ji saw that Shri Surdas Ji's mind was fixed in the compassionate eyes of the Lord which He sang as well:

As soon as he sang this much, in 1583, Shri Surdas Ji left his body and attained the divine eternal pastimes of the Lord.