Acharya Prashant explains that in the Eastern spiritual tradition, the swan is used as a symbol for the soul. He describes how the repetition of the mantra 'Soham' naturally transforms into 'Hanso', signifying the realization that 'I am That'. In the poetry of Kabir Saheb, two birds are primarily used as metaphors: the swan represents the soul or the pure mind, while the crow represents the conditioned mind. The crow is characterized by its harsh voice and its tendency to seek out filth, symbolizing how the mind is often attracted to worldly impurities and superficiality. In contrast, the swan is said to pick only pearls, which represents the ability of a clear mind to choose what is highest, truest, and most beneficial even amidst worldly distractions. He clarifies that the soul and the mind are not two separate entities; rather, a purified mind is what is referred to as the soul. A mind filled with worldly impressions and defects acts like a crow, causing self-harm by engaging with trivialities. However, when the mind becomes clear and conscious, it transforms into a swan. This transformation allows an individual to exercise deep awareness and discernment in every situation, choosing the right action—the 'pearl'—from among many available options. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that these descriptions are symbolic pointers and should not be taken literally, as physical swans do not actually eat pearls. The essence of the teaching is to develop such profound awareness that one consistently chooses the path of truth and avoids the 'filth' of worldly conditioning.