In Indian mythology, 'swan' is taken symbolic of Purity, Piousness, and embodiment of Satvaguna (the noble one of the three gunas - attributes, the living beings are imbued with, from womb to tomb). In addition to these noble qualities, the swan is said to have the unique attribute of separating and consuming only the creamy part of the milk and leaving aside the whey (water part of the milk).
The sages and noble souls who realised God are compared with the swan, in that they are able to differentiate between what is Real, the One Supreme Consciousness and what is Unreal, the illusory material things in this world. Like swan, they pick up only Punyas (pious deeds) and forsake the Papas (sinful deeds). Hence they are honoured with the title called 'Paramahamsa' (Supreme Swan). In the nineteenth century we had most venerable Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and in the following century, Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda.
As we understand from the foregoing, the concept of 'Paramhamsa' is related to the noble souls who realised the God on this earth. And when Annamacharya extended this concept of 'Paramahamsa' even to the Almighty Himself in a unique way, I felt I should share this divine proposition of Annamayya, expressed in his sankeertana - "Dibbalu Vettuchu Delina Didivo"- with the noble souls like you. (The sweet voice of the popular cine play back singer, P B Srinivas can be heard in the You tube)
'Annamacharya compares the Gitacharya, the Almighty with the swan; and says just as the swan separates milk from water, the Lord considers only the punyas (pious deeds) of the human beings and leaves the papas (sinful deeds), since the Almighty does not interfere in the karmic deeds and their attendant fruits (karma phala) affecting the human beings. Thus, human beings continue to take birth after birth on account of their prarabdha karmas of the previous birth, and their liberation comes through only when they realise the God by annihilation of their karmas, by coming in to the path of spirituality. The selection of the Punyas of the beings by the Almighty is on account of His magnanimity only.
'One swan swims over the vast ocean, as if it is a single stupendous mainland for it. That is, it is not afraid at all about the vast ocean. It considers only the punyas (pious deeds) of the individual soul and leaves out the papas (sinful deeds).
'And it also is a swan, Its habitat is lotus lake water in which it swims gracefully. Lord Srimannarayana also moves in the lotus lake called the heart of His consort, Sri Lakshmi Devi. Not only that He resides in the lotus lakes of the Individual Souls, considering only their Punyas (pious deeds) . In what is called 'Vasudeva Tatva', the Individual Soul annihilates its karma phalas, gets liberated ; and finally merges with the Universal Soul.
'The Almighty abides in all Parama Yogis of this earth. And not only that, just as a swan perches its wide wings to protect umpteen number of its cygnets (swanlings or baby swans), The Almighty in the form of Lord Venkateswara at present is abiding on the Venkatadri hill to protect His own creation. And this activity of the Almighty is unending.'.....
The noble traits of a 'Paramahamsa' namely, Purity, Piousness, Satvaguna (noble among three attributes) and acumen towards picking up of only 'grain' called Punyas (pious actions) and leaving out 'chaff' called Papas (sinful actions) shall be emulated by the serious and steadfast seekers on spiritual path. The efforts may look bitter but the fruits are certainly of immense sweet. That is the Liberation and God Realisation !
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