Surdas was a famous poet and singer of the Bhakti era. Tradition holds that he was blind from birth or early childhood. Yet his verses describe Krishna’s childhood leelas so vividly that the reader seems to see them.
It is said that he lived around Vrindavan and Mathura and came into contact with Vallabhacharya. There he sang bhajans in the service of Shrinathji.
His famous verses describe Krishna stealing butter, Yashoda’s motherly love and the gopis’ devotion in simple, sweet language. The “Sursagar” is regarded as his major work.
A folk tale says that once he fell into a well and Krishna rescued him, then freed his hand and went away. Surdas is said to have replied that Krishna may pull his hand away thinking him weak, but that he would believe in him only when he left his heart.