Hamsa (Hindu mythology)
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Hamsa, also spelt as Hansha (Anser indicus), is one of the most significant birds with wide references in texts pertaining to Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist, and their respective mythologies. Hamsa is also the conveyance (vahana) of Brahma.
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[edit] Meaning
Generally, a hamsa is translated as a swan, but it is more like a bar-headed goose. It breeds in the ponds and lakes of Central Asia, and migrates to India during the months of winter.
[edit] Mythology
A large volume of corpus of folklore and literature has grown around it, and a distinct mythology has evolved around Hamsa. During the Vedic civilization, hamsa was considered to have some sort of relationship with the sun-god of the Hindus, Surya. Then, it signified strength and virility. With the emergence and consolidation of the Hindu scriptures of Upanishads, hamsa acquired more attributes, including being treated as symbol of purity, detachment, divine knowledge, cosmic breath (prana) and highest spiritual accomplishment. Such a high level of symbolism was attached to hamsh as it transcends the limitations of the creation around it: it can walk on the earth (prithvi), fly in the sky, and swim in the water.
[edit] Philosophy
A school of philosophy has endeavored to penetrate its name. Ham-sa when inverted reads as sa-ham, which in Sanskrit means the oneness of human and the divine. During pranayama, which is a yogic exercise of breath control, the inhalation is believed sound like ham, while the exhalation is believed to sound like sa. Thus, a hamsa came to epitomize the prana, the breath of life.
[edit] Paramhamsa
In view of the association of a hamsa with several attributes as indicated above, saints and other holy persons are given the title of paramhamsa, that is, the supereme hamsa. This title is affixed before the name and symbolizes that the particular person has reached a high level of spirituality and emancipation. Paramhamsa Yogananad is one of such holy persons bestowed with the title of Paramhamsa. Paramahansa Yogananda is one of them.
[edit] Notes
[edit] Further reading
- The Goose in Indian Literature and Art (Leiden, 1962) by J. Ph. Vogel
[edit] Reference
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
