Premanand

Premanand — the poet himself — appears within *Okhaharan* not merely as an invisible craftsman behind the narrative but as a living presence woven into the fabric of the poem. Following the convention of *bhaNitā*, the signature verse tradition of medieval Gujarati poetry, Mahakavi Premanand closes cantos by stepping briefly into his own work, naming himself and offering a moment of humble self-reflection or devotional dedication. These signature passages are far more than formality; they give the poem a distinctive personal voice and remind listeners that a human storyteller stands between them and the divine tale.

Through these appearances, Premanand situates himself as a servant of the story, crediting the grace of Krishna and the tradition of his predecessors for whatever beauty the verses achieve. His self-references also carry biographical and literary-historical value, offering scholars glimpses into how the poet understood his own craft and his relationship to his audience. Tracking the cantos in which Premanand names himself thus reveals the rhythmic structure of the poem and the devotional humility that defines his artistic identity.