apara spara

 

The Sanskrit term "aparaspara" (अपरस्पर) is a compound composed 

of a- (a negative or privatizing prefix) and paraspara (meaning mutual,

reciprocal, or each other). Its meaning varies based on context—linguistic,

philosophical, or scriptural. Key interpretations are as follows:

Linguistic/General Sanskrit Usage

One after another / Uninterrupted – Applied to action, it can mean something

that occurs continuously, in succession, or without interruption.

Example: aparasparāḥ kriyāsātatye – “actions occurring continuously

in sequence” (Pāṇini VI.1.144).

Mutual / Reciprocal – Sometimes the word appears as “one another” 

or “each other,” describing interrelation between entities.

Not Mutual / Non-reciprocal – In some grammatical or philosophical 

commentaries, aparaspara is interpreted as “not reciprocal,” emphasizing 

a lack of mutual dependence.

Philosophical and Scriptural Contexts

In the Bhagavad Gita

In Bhagavad Gita 16.8, the term appears as aparasparasambhūtam:

“The world is ‘not brought about by mutual cause’ (aparasparasambhūtam),

created merely by the union of male and female, without other purpose

than desire.”

Here, aparaspara denotes the viewpoint of materialists or demoniac 

individuals who perceive phenomena as arising without an underlying 

metaphysical foundation—through mutual combination alone, lacking

divine guidance or ultimate purpose.

 In Shakta Philosophy

In Shaktism (Tantric and yogic traditions), a related term aparāpara 

(अपरापर) occurs:

Designates a dynamic duality of energies, transcendent yet immanent

simultaneously.

Example: The seventeenth energy (kalā) manifests as both supreme 

(parā) and subordinate (apara), expressing the interplay of transcendent 

cosmic power and its immanent manifestation (Triśirobhairavatantra).