Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand (1649-1731)
In Samwat 1706, in the house of the Bundela chieftan Champatrai and his wife Lalkunwari, Chhatrasal was born. Early in his childhood he was separated from his parents and then he had made up his mind to fight against the tyrranical rule of the Mughals. As advised by Shivaji- the Maratha warrior, he determined to fight for the independence of Bundelkhand and after his meeting with Swami Mahamati Prannath, Chhatrasal became strong and powerful. Just as Guru Ramdas showed the way to Shivaji so did Mahamati Prannath gave guidance and true knowledge to Maharaja Chhatrasal. It was with his blessings that he could establish the divine kingdom of Panna, as predicted in the scriptures as 'the heavenly kingdom on earth'.
Prannathji guided Chhatrasal in religious, social, political and economical matters. He also granted Maharaja Chhatrasal the boon to find diamonds in Panna. Blessed with great guru, Chhatrasal fought against Mughal and founded Bundelkhand bordered by the rivers Jamuna, Narmada, Chambal and Tauns.
After Mahamati Prannath, the entire responsibility of promoting the faith fell on Chhatrasal. Like the Buddha's disciple Emperor Ashoka, Chhatrasal was a talented misionary. He endeavoured to promulgate the Krishna Pranami / Nijanand Sampradaya of Mahamati Prannath. As an organised team both abroad and at home, a learned group of enlightened souls continued propagating and practising the teachings of the Mahamati. By their works and verses drenched in the doctrine of love for the Lord they were the source of great strength for their followers. Their areas of work was sufficiently large and by the sheer fruity of their lives and simplicity of principles they could always get a responsive audience. Noble souls like Laldass, Mukund Dass, Braj Bhushan, Hans Raj, Gopal Dass, jugal Dass to mention a few, were successful in bringing several families on the fold of prananmi cult.
The major centres of this religion are Jam Nagar, Panna, Surat Allahabad, Haridwar, Delhi, Karnal, Jaipur, Kalimpong, Bhiwani, Sherpur etc. A large number of pilgrims flock to these places to take part in the annual congregations. In recent years many scholars have been attracted to this religion and researchers are doing a commendable job to unearth and publicise the main contribution of this religion.