December 25 [1935] – Swami Sri Yukteswar bestows India’s highest spiritual title, Paramahansa, on Yogananda in Serampore…Literally “supreme swan” (a symbol of spiritual discrimination), the title signifies one who is established in the ultimate state of union with God. — SRF
A Winter Solstice Festival was celebrated at the end of December [1935] in the Serampore hermitage. As always, Sri Yukteswar’s disciples gathered from far and near. …
The next afternoon, with a few simple words of blessing, Sri Yukteswar bestowed on me the further monastic title of Paramahansa. (1)
“It now formally supersedes your former title of Swami,” he said as I knelt before him. With a silent chuckle I thought of the struggles to be undergone by my Western students over the pronunciation of Paramahansaji. (2)
“My task on earth is now finished; you must carry on.” Master spoke quietly, his eyes calm and gentle. …
“Please send someone to take charge of our ashram in Puri,” Sri Yukteswar went on. “I leave everything in your hands. You will be able successfully to sail the boat of your life and that of the organization to the divine shores.”
In tears I was embracing his feet; he rose and blessed me lovingly.
See also~~The Meaning and Spelling of the Title “Paramahansa”
1) Lit., parama, highest; hansa, swan. The white swan is mythologically represented as the vehicle or mount of Brahma the Creator. The sacred hansa, said to have the power of extracting only milk from a mixture of milk and water, is thus a symbol of spiritual discrimination.
Ahan-sa or ’han-sa (pronounced hong-sau) is literally “I am He.” These potent Sanskrit syllables possess a vibratory connection with the incoming and the outgoing breath. Thus with his every breath man unconsciously asserts the truth of his being: I am He!
2) They have generally evaded the difficulty by addressing me as sir.
Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi, Last Days With My Guru
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