Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Paramahamsa Sri Vedavyasa Rangaraj Bhattar Sri Swami Vishwananda
English
Each title in Paramahamsa Vishwananda’s full name holds important significance and is a reflection of His accomplishments and spiritual qualities.
Mahamandaleshwar
Mahamandaleshwar means the ‘Lord of many centres’. The title is given to those who work to preserve the Hindu way of life and have demonstrated great leadership by founding several ashrams and temples.
Paramahamsa Vishwananda was installed as Mahamandaleshwar during the 2015 Kumbh Mela in Nasik. He is the first person outside of India to receive this honour.
1008
108 is considered a sacred number in many spiritual traditions. When given as a name, it represents a high level of attainment. 1008 represents even greater spiritual mastery and is a more auspicious honour.
Paramahamsa Vishwananda received this title in 2008 during His Acharya initiation.
Paramahamsa
Paramahamsa means ‘Great Swan’. The scriptures say that a swan has the unique ability to separate milk from water when drinking a mixture of the two. So this title indicates the holder is able to separate the real from the unreal, and the spiritual from the material.
‘Paramahamsa’ is the highest level of spiritual attainment possible in a human body and it is only given to those who live and operate beyond the influence of material nature and who never fall under the influence of Maya (ignorance).
Sri Swami Vishwananda was given the title of Paramahamsa by His Satguru, Mahavatar Babaji.
Sri Vedavyasa Rangaraj Bhattar
Sri Vedavyasa Rangaraj Bhattar is the name of the Sri Vaishnava Acharya who initiated Paramahamsa Vishwananda into the Sri Sampradaya Lineage. His name was added during the Acharya initiation.
Sri Swami Vishwananda
The name Sri Swami Vishwananda was given by Mahavatar Babaji in 2001. ‘Sri’ is a title of respect used before a name. A ‘Swami’ is one who is a ‘Master of the Self’. The name ‘Vishwananda’ means ‘universal bliss’ which is a perfect reflection of our Master, as He truly is the embodiment of universal, all-encompassing bliss.