The example set by Rajarshi Bharat, the son of Rishabdeva is cited here. In his third birth upon this Earth, his behaviour as an illiterate Brahmin is glorified. In similar manner, Paramhansa Sadhus too should live their lives as he did. Shatanand explains the meaning of Paramhansa: ‘Param is understood to be those with extensive wealth. Alternatively, ‘Par is an enemy of Dharma, thus Param is one who annihilates such an enemy. Such a Hansa (soul or spirit) is a Paramhansa.’
In this way as a Paramhansa is a Vaishnava (a devotee of Vishnu). He is the foremost amongst devotees. He is the source of great purity and is free from all sin and is always absorbed in God through penance. He is the Guru who has absolute control over his speech and senses.
Such was Jada Bharat, a great Paramhansa who renounced all contact with his family, freeing himself from the bondage of Karma by devoting himself to God. Passing his time in praise and remembrance of the Lord, he would focus his mind upon the blessed feet of the Lord. This is extensively documented in Shrimad Bhagwat’s fifth chapter.
There are two types of Paramhansa - Alinga and Avadhutalinga. The first of these - Alinga are to be understood as the likes of Sukhdevji. Jabalopanishad explains the qualities of such a Paramhansa, ‘Who like the day he was born takes a naked form, is unaffected by Sukh (happiness) and Dukh (misery), who is free from Parigraha (accepting things), is Tatva Gnaani (knowledge of the various elements), is ever ready to follow the path to God, with pure mind, who accepts Bhiksha in order to secure vital breath, is unaffected by opportunity or inopportunity, who has no fixed abode such as a house, temple, cave, bank of a river etc., has sharp consciousness, fearless, always meditating upon God, has hunger for knowledge, refrains from acting unrighteously or inappropriately, like a Sanyasa is free from the associations with the body - such a person is a Paramhansa.’
Similarly an Avadhutalinga Paramhansa is famed as the likes of Jada Bharat and Shridama (Sudama). Such a Paramhansa is described as poverty stricken, wearing torn clothing and slandered in society.
Lord Swaminarayan explains that Sadhus should live like Jada Bharat. As the story goes, the King of Shaibhari Desh, Rahugana met Jada Bharat when the King’s men where searching for a person to carry the King’s palanquin. Seeing the Janoi (sacred thread) upon the body of this figure he enquired about the identity of such person saying, “O Deva! You, like a Brahmin wear the sacred thread, therefore reveal to me your true identity, who chooses to wander discreetly. Your form is like that of an Avadhuta and you present yourself like a great devotee of God. You secretly and contentedly worship God daily - praise to you - O great soul!’
In this way the King ordered his men to not make the naked Brahmin carry the palanquin. Thus, Sadhus should live their lives similar to that of Bharat - selflessly. They should adorn simple ‘Valkala’ clothing and should worship God always. They should always observe Dharma and Bhakti.
This is the final Shloka of the additional duties for Sadhus. Shlokas 197-202 sum up by offering common duties for Brahmcharis and Sadhus and thus wrap up the second part of the Shikshapatri of Vishesha Dharma.