Paramahamsa (परमहंस), also spelled paramahansa or paramhansa, is a Sanskrit religio-theological title of honor applied to Hindu spiritual teachers of lofty status who are regarded as having attained enlightenment. The title may be translated as "supreme swan," and is based on the swan being equally at home on land or water. Similarly, the true sage is equally at home in the realms of matter and of spirit. The swan is also, according to Indian legend, able to separate milk from water. Thus, the swan symbolizes the ability of a Self-realized master to separate truth from the insubstantiality of delusion.[1]
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Paramahamsa is a Sanskrit word translated as "Supreme Swan." The word is compounded of Sanskrit परम parama meaning supreme or transcendent (from PIE per meaning through, across, or beyond, cognate with English far) and Sanskrit हंस hamsa meaning swan. The prefix parama is the same element seen in the title Parameshwara. English scholars euphemistically translated "hamsa" as swan, because in the English tradition a goose (the domesticated one) traditionally denotes foolishness and irresponsibility. But in Hindic tradition the wild goose is noted for its characteristics of discipline, stamina, grace, and beauty. This is especially true for the Anser indicus, whose migratory route from Central Asia to India and back, forces it to fly over the Himalayas twice a year. A feat which makes it fly higher than any known bird. And that is why God is also denoted as the "Paramahamsa". "Hamsa" may be a religious pun or allegory with a philosophical meaning. One such etymology suggests that the words 'aham' and 'sa' are joined to become 'hamsa'... 'Aham' is 'I' and 'sa' is 'He'- meaning 'I am He'. Here 'I' refers to the jivatma - the living soul and 'He' the supreme soul. This is part of Advaita philosophy which indicates one-ness of jivatama (living soul) and paramatma (the supreme soul). The Word 'Aham' is common for many religions. From 'aham', 'ahamkara' - 'ego' is derived. The alternative spellings are due to differing Romanizations of the Sanskrit word.
The hamsa is the vahana, the mount or vehicle, of the god Brahma. In the Vedas and the Purânas it is a symbol for the soul/Soul. The hamsa is said to be is the only creature that is capable of separating milk from water once they have been mixed; symbolically this is the display of great spiritual discrimination. It is symbolic for a spiritually advanced being who is capable of controlling the breath energy in such a way that he only absorbs pure vibrations from all the different energies the world contains. To the Paramahamsa (the supreme celestial Swan) on the other hand, the whole of creation is God himself, there is nothing else but God alone. This person is a fully realized soul, completely liberated from all bonds with the world, who knows no obligations, no likes or dislikes. He is without any needs because he is completely immersed in God.
Paramahamsa, as a religio/theological title, is applied to an adept class of Hindu renunciates, liberated, realized masters who, having attained the supreme yogic state, or nirvikalpa samādhi, can always distinguish between the Real (sa) from the unreal (ham).
The hamsa mantra indicates the sound made by the exhalation ("ha") and inhalation ("sa") of the breath.
The title cannot be assumed by oneself, but must be conferred by a recognized authority, either another individual swami who is himself esteemed as enlightened, or by a committee of spiritual leaders.
Paramahaṃsa is also the title of one of the Upanishads.[2]