paramahamsa | परमहंस
The word paramhansa (Devanagari: परमहंस ISO15919: paramahaṁsa) is used in a couple of different contexts.
The Supreme God has eternally existed in a Nirakar form and a Sakar form.
- Followers of the doctrine of advait vaad (non-duality) worship Nirakar Brahm. When such a person's mind is absorbed in the Nirakar Brahm then the person is called paramhansa of advaitvaad.
Examples of this are Shukdev paramhans, King Janak, Sage Shaunk, Sage Soot and Shankaracharya
- Those who do bhakti of Sakar Brahm, when such a person's mind is absorbed in the Sakar Brahm then the person is called paramhansa of dvaitvaad (duality).
Examples of this are gopis. They were so immersed in the thoughts of Shri Krishna that they could not distinguish themselves from Him.
Reference: Prema Rasa Siddhanta - Philosophy of Divine Love, Ch. 6
LEARN MORE