Biography of Shri Abhairam Ji

The exact date of birth of Shri Abhairam Ji is not known, but based on internal evidence and family tradition, it is believed that he was born around 1830-1835 AD.

Introduction:
Shri Abhairam Ji was born into the Gauray Thakur (Kshatriya clan) caste. He lived in the Dusayat locality of Shri Vrindavan. He was seen as the head among the prominent landowners of that time. He was highly respected in gatherings of poets. Many of his verses are very dear to the residents of Vrindavan and are sung with great enthusiasm even today.

Shri Abhairam Ji was a disciple of Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya Shri 'Shriji' Shri Nimbarkasharan Devacharya Ji.

Shri Abhairam Ji composed many verses dedicated to the glories of Shri Dham Vrindavan which are compiled in the grantha 'Shri Vrindavan Rahasya-Vinod'. There are three sections of the book. Everything and anything belonging to Vrindavan is glorified in this book. The glories of various pastimes and historical places such as Gopishwar Mahadev of Vrindavan, Vrindadevi, Kali Mardan, Madangopal, Yugalbihari, Manmohan, Kunjvihari, Radhamohan, 2nd Kunjvihari, Radha Madhav, Radhakant, Radhavallabh, Atalbihari (Nagaji's Kunj, Biharghat), Rasikvihari, Jugalkishor, Chhailchikaniya, Gangamohan, Chirvihari, Navalgobind, Yashodhanandan, Radharaman, Sakhi Gopal, Chaturshiromani, etc is given. Additionally, it provides insight into the current condition of these temples.

Vrindavan's old ladies are regarded by Shri Abhairam Ji as great devotees, despite their age and helplessness. Despite the cold, they bathed in Yamuna every day. Their condition seems to indicate that they will die within a day or two -

Blessed are the old ladies of Shri Vrindavan, who even shiver in the morning but go to take a bath in Yamuna. They don't have any clothes or utensils in their huts, but still, they are very fortunate because they will leave their bodies in Shri Vrindavan.

In the style of Shri Nagridas Ji's book 'Van-Jan-Prashansa', Shri Abhairam Ji has also composed many verses in praise of even the smallest beings like ants of Vrindavan, which shows his unwavering love for Vrindavan. For example -

Countless wish-fulfilling Chintamanis could be sacrificed on a single grain of dust of Braj. The whole world should be sacrificed on the eternal love-play of Shri Yugal Sarkar at Sewa Kunj, Vrindavan. Countless Kalpa trees (wish-granting trees) should be sacrificed on the creepers and bowers of Vrindavan. 'Rambha', the Queen of Apsaras, should be sacrificed on the doorway of Gopis. Kamadeva’s consort 'Rati', the Goddess of desire/lust, and Indra’s consort 'Sachi', the Goddess of Heaven, should be sacrificed on the maidens of Braj as they carry water from the river. The whole 'Vaikuntha', the abode of Lord Vishnu, should be sacrificed on the river Yamuna. Shri Abhai Ram says, “Even in my dreams, I don’t know anyone else except Shri Radha, as she is one and only, my life and soul, and every other form of God could be sacrificed on the son of Nand, Shri Krishna (who himself surrenders to Shri Radha).”

Blessed are the lovely creepers of Shri Vrindavan, which are wrapped around the Kadamba tree full of blooming flowers, on which the cuckoo is seated and singing melodiously. [1]

Shri Abhairam Ji says "All the ragas and raginis are singing in the groves of Shri Vrindavan, and Shri Radhakrishna are admiring the beauty of such glimpses of Shri Vrindavan. [2]

Blessed is Shri Yamuna Ji, who is flowing in Shri Vrindavan. The rising waves of her grant freedom from all the bondages and sins by merely touching the body parts. All the sages, Vaishnavas, and learned scholars make progress in bhajan (spiritual growth) by taking a bath in this. Shri Abhairam Ji says "Shri Yamuna flowing in Shri Vrindavan is the queen of Shri Krishna, whose glory is indescribable."

Blessed Blessed is the ant of Vrindavan who takes the granule of Mahaprasad and eats sitting in a hole. [1]

Through Mahaprasad, it destroys the circle of birth and death and attains enlightenment and meditation from within. Shri Abhairam says, “How blessed it is because it remains clung to the ‘raj’ (dust) of Vrindavan”. [2]

Blessed, truly blessed are the renounced saints of Vrindavan. Each morning, they bathe in the sacred waters of the Yamuna and devoutly adorning their bodies with the holy sand of Vrindavan. [1]

They sustain themselves with the food provided by the residents of Braj, partaking in solitary meals. These saints are genuinely blessed, holding a supreme status among all the revered ones. [2]

Shri Abhairam Ji has described almost all the temples of Vrindavan of his time but has not mentioned the huge temples like Shreeji Temple (construction period 1883 AD) and Rang-Mandir (construction period 1909 AD), which seems to indicate that he died around 1880 AD or even a few years earlier.