Surdas’ Samadhi at Chandra Sarovar stands foremost among those places in Braj that emanate

peacefulness, mystery and spiritual power. It was here that Surdas spent 70 years living here in
a simple hut composing poetry.

There are conflicting stories regarding Surdas’ biography, including his birthdate. We know that
he lived for much of the 16th century. Historians also debate whether Surdas was blind from
childhood or became blind later in life.

Most believe that he met Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu and became his disciple although some
debate this due to the lack of mention of Mahaprabhu in his early poetry and the wide appeal
he had (and still has for people of all sampradayas). Surdasji is thought to have been the head
kirtaniya in Srinath temple in Govardhan for many years. Pushti Marg literature emphasises the
extreme grace that was showered upon Surdasji by his guru, which gave him the power to
compose poems covering every service, every season and every mood of the pastimes of Shri
Krishna’s childhood and youth.
Chandra sarovar is home to several memorials to Surdas. Around the Kund is Surdas’ kuti (hut) and his
Samadhi. The place is also known as ‘Sur Kund’.

The kund is situated in Parasoli, Govardhan. It is said to have originated when the moon got stuck in one
spot due to watching Radha Krishna’s Rasa Lila. Historically, the sarovar was used as a water source for
Shrinathji. The modern form of the sarovar, which resembles a lotus, was built by Raja Jawahar Singh of
Bharatpur. Later it was renovated by Queen Hansia.

Surdas’ poetry has always had universal appeal and now, much of it has been translated into
English.

In her review of Sur’s Ocean: Poems from the Early Tradition, Sonali Raj writes:

Surdas wrote in Braj Bhasha even though the court language was Persian. His poems were
performed outside of the court in fairs and temples; the language frequently reads like everyday
speech, and this quality is well-reflected in the English translations: “Mother Yashoda, rest
assured— / we’ll both be home in five or seven days, / brother Haladhar and I. / Meantime, now
and then, check on my flute, / check on my staff and the horn I blow. / Don’t let Radhika pilfer
away / any of my favorite playthings.”

The poems are sometimes playful: “He managed to quaff down a forest fire / but his milk must
be cooled before he drinks… He could lift a great mountain, but if he tries to hold / a pail of milk,
his arm begins to hurt.” And sometimes the poems are philosophical: “this Lord in cowherd’s
clothes / herds cows in a cowherder’s clan, / and that, says Surdas, is the glory described / when
the Vedas chant, ‘He is not this, not that.’”

The best known composition of Surdas is Sur Sagar. Many of Surdas’ poems have been lost and
it is suspected that some poems that are attributed to him are actually by other poets. It is also
said that the poems with the seal ‘Sur Shyama’ were written by Srinathji Himself, who, during
Surdas’ time, resided on top of Govardhan hill.
There are around 22,000 verses of Surdas currently extant, however, it is said Surdas penned 1 lakh
verses, of which 25,000 were the direct compositions of Shrinathji Himself.

Surdas lived and died through poetry. According

to Pusti Marg literature, Shri Vitthalachaya, the
son of Shri Vallabhacharya, asked him one day, “Sur, what are you thinking about?”
Surdas then composed his last song: “Khanjan nain roop ras mate, atishay charu chapal
aniyare pal pinjara na samate" – Krishna’s beautiful eyes are like Khanjan birds. They are
full of rasa, very restless, and slightly reddened due to intoxication. My life can no longer
remain encaged in this body.” Saying this, he left his body.