Apara

Apara

अपरा, aparā

In the context of Hinduism, aparā is a principle or knowledge, translated means “limited”, “immanent”. It is usually considered together with the opposite term parā (“supreme”, “beyond the ordinary”).

Gorakshanath uses the term aparā-shakti to describe one of the subtle levels of the disclosure of the cosmic body of Shiva (adya-pinda), who is full of inner vibration of Absolute (spanda).

In Kashmir Shaivism, Aparā is one of the three main powers or Goddesses: Parā, Parāparā and Aparā. Characterizes the levels of creation and perception associated with duality and difference. The level of Aparā corresponds to rough, limited experience.

Shankara in the Advaita Vedanta teaching describes Brahman in two aspects: Parā is the Highest, having neither form nor qualities, the all-penetrating Absolute, beyond Māyā, beyond any concepts, and Aparā is Brahman, endowed with the qualities of the creator of Universe. Parā is related to Nirguna Brahman and Aparā to Saguna Brahman.

Ramanuja, expounding Vishishta-advaita Vedanta, rejects the principle of nirguna – the qualityless and incomprehensible Absolute. He accepts Brahman as Ishvara, who is the collection of all auspicious attributes (Saguna Brahman). God in Vishishta-advaita as Ishta-Devata is accessible to the devotee, being at the same time the Supreme Reality, Parabrahman.

The Upanishads specifically mention two types of knowledge: para-vidya, i.e. "Supreme knowledge", non-conceptual comprehension of God and aparā-vidyā – "lower knowledge", limited by intellect and feelings. The Upanishads repeat that Atman is not known by study of scriptures or by deep mind. Atman is revealed to those who seek to cognize Atman.

Shankara's сommentary on “Mundaka Upanishad”:

“Parā is the knowledge of Paramātman and Aparā is that which deals with causes and effects (karma).”

In "Vayu Purana", Aparā is the name of one of the thirteen wives of Vasudeva.

In "Bhagavad Gita", aparā means non-transcendent, inert matter, material nature.