aparatva

 

"Aparatva" generally means inferiority, posteriority, or the quality of

being secondary, opposite to "paratva," which denotes supremacy 

or priority.

Etymology and Basic Definition

The word aparatva (अपरत्व) is derived from apara, meaning "other," "second,"

or "inferior," combined with the suffix -tva, which signifies a state or 

quality

Wisdom Library

. In Sanskrit, it conveys notions of contrariety, 

farness, posteriority, or lesser excellence

Easy Ayurveda+1

.

Usage in Ayurveda

In Āyurveda, aparatva is one of the ten Parādiguṇas, qualities used to 

assess the properties and efficacy of substances

Wisdom Library

. It 

represents the inferior aspects of substances, locations, times, or individuals

in comparison with superior (paratva) aspects. For example, desert land

may be considered superior, while marshy land is considered aparatva, and

young individuals may have inferior strength relative to prime-age 

individuals

Easy Ayurveda

. It highlights caution in selection and application, 

particularly in medicinal or therapeutic contexts. Aparatva may also imply 

delayed action or lower potency compared with its superior counterpart.

Philosophical Context

In Vaiśeṣika and Nyaya schools of Hindu philosophy, aparatva is a quality

(guṇa) describing posteriority or relational inferiority in space and 

time

Wisdom Library

. It is paired with paratva, which indicates closeness 

or priority. These qualities help explain relative positions, temporal 

sequence, and comparative importance of objects or events. For instance, 

an object that is temporally or spatially nearer may possess paratva, 

whereas a later or more distant object exhibits aparatva

Wisdom Library

.

Summary

Meaning: Inferiority, posteriority, secondary, or non-excellence.

Opposite: Paratva (superiority, priority, excellence).

Contexts:

Ayurveda: Determines inferior properties of substances, locations, age, 

potency, or timing

1

.

Philosophy (Vaiśeṣika, Nyaya): Denotes temporal or spatial posteriority

compared with paratva

1

.

Additional nuance: Relational, comparative, often implying a state that 

is “less than” or “secondary” in quality or significance

2

.

• 

  

  3 Sources
• 
  

In essence, aparatva signifies anything that is comparatively inferior, 

posterior, or secondary, whether in quality, time, space, or utility, and is 

always understood in contrast with paratva.