[Advaita-l] Srimad ParamahaMsa ParivrAjakAchAryavaryavarya

[KAMESWARARAO MULA]

Dear Members,                         On the Occasion of this years Guru Pournami i.e 13th July (Wednesday), I was chanting the Sringeri Briudavali which we discussed earlier. Sringeri Birudavali Guru Stotra starts with "Srimad ParamahaMsa ParivrAjakAchAryavaryavarya". I started understaning it from the first word i.e "Parivrajakacharya"
In the Sanyasa Tradition there are four stages of Life towards upliftment of perfection. These stages are called kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, parivrājakācārya, and paramahaṁsa. The paramahaṁsa stage of life is the highest stage of perfection.

 Kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, parivrājakācārya and paramahaṁsa are gradual progressive stages in the renounced order of life sannyāsa Tradition and Queen Kuntīdevī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, has spoken about them in her prayers for Lord Kṛṣṇa (Srimad Bhagavatam).

According to SB.2.4.13, The paramahaṁsa stage of existence is the highest perfectional stage of spiritual values. According to  Kuntīdevī i.e mother of Pandava's, the Lord is factually understood by the paramahaṁsas only. As there is gradual realization of the transcendence from impersonal Brahman to localized Paramātmā to the Personality of Godhead, Puruṣottama, Lord Kṛṣṇa, similarly there is gradual promotion of one's situation in the spiritual life of sannyāsa. Kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, parivrājakācārya and paramahaṁsa are gradual progressive stages in the renounced order  of life of sannyasa and Queen Kuntīdevī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, has spoken about them in her prayers for Lord Kṛṣṇa ( Chapter Eight). The paramahaṁsas are generally found among both the impersonalists and the devotees, but according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (as clearly stated by Kuntīdevī), pure bhakti-yoga is understood by the paramahaṁsas, and Kuntīdevī has especially mentioned that the Lord descends (paritrāṇāya sādhūnām [Bg. 4.8)) especially to award bhakti-yoga to the paramahaṁsas. So ultimately the paramahaṁsas, in the true sense of the term, are unalloyed devotees of the Lord. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has directly accepted that the highest destination is bhakti-yoga, by which one accepts the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Those who accept the path of bhakti-yoga are the factual paramahaṁsas.

The literal meaning of Paramashamsa is "supreme swan" and Parivarjaka means "wandering". Acharya is Monk, In Indian tradition, Paul Deuseen states that: Hamsa (swan) symbolizes the "migrating soul"  or reincarnating soul  or Transmigrating sould and  some times these words are prefixed to the Upanishad, connoting knowledge about the "wandering supreme soul (swan)".There is one  Paramahamsa Parivrajaka Upanishad also in Athravanaveda, is a minor Upanishad  It is one of the 31 Upanishads attached in Atharavaveda and classified as one of the 19 Sannyasa Upanishads. It clearly states that   Sannyasa in the context of Varna (classes) and describing ascetics (Hamsas) as wandering birds picking up food wherever they can finds.  Paramahamsas (highest ascetics) begging and accepting food and water from all four castes without discrimination. An Ideal monk after renunciation should do his  ethical duties as ordained by his Guru or as per his sampradaya/ Tradition, and dedicate his most of his to Time to the study of Vedanta and establish himself in the path of Brahmman.Lord Rama narrated Muktika Upanishad (based on Samaveda  i.e Sabda Brahmman ) to Hanuman and it is the 66th among 108 Upansihads. It is also knownas  Paramahamsaparivrajaka Upanishad and Paramahamsaparivrajakopnishad. Parivrajika title can be given to whoom who always do a Piligramage i.e Wandering in the search of Brahmman and Shakaracharya Tradition implements this except in Chaturmasya Vrata Deeksha. Chaturmas period is a holy period of four months, beginning on Dev Shyani Ekadasi —the eleventh day of the bright half, Ashada Shukla Paksha (10/7/22) to Devottan i.e Prabodhini Ekadasi , the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartika Shukla paksha ( Firday ,4/11/22). During this 4 months period Sanyasi's are not advised to rome or wander and they should restrict themselves to one place wherever they wants to study Vedanta & do the sadhaya/vedic studies.
In other traditions also we can found Pilgrimage very well and its was always encouraged and recommended by most of the Prophets. Here is one good link which we can found in Muslim Tradition as a lifetime compulsory event: i.e Haj Yatra or Mecca Yatra. one can go through the below link if some one is interested.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/hajjatul-wida-the-prophets-last-pilgrimage/

In Christian Tradition visiting Jerusalem and praying at the Western Wall makes someone Holistic. The Western Wall's holiness in Judaism is a result of its proximity to the Temple Mount. Because of the Temple Mount entry restrictions, the Wall is the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray, though the site of the Holy of Holies, the most sacred site in the Jewish faith, lies behind it.The wall is believed by devout Jews to be the Western Wall i.e Temple of Jerusalem, Known as the most holy site in the Jewish faith, its significance lies in the fact that it is the last remnant of the original retaining wall which surrounded the Temple, which was built over 2,000 years ago. At most hours of the day the Western Wall is lined with people deep in prayer. Many lean forward and touch their foreheads to the stones. With eyes closed, they whisper their wishes and kiss the wall when they have finished praying.
Sri Guru Pardaravindarpana Mastu
Kameswara