aparaada

Aparāda, also spelled aparāda or aparaada, is a Sanskrit term meaning offense, fault, or transgression. In Hindu philosophy and devotional traditions, aparāda denotes acts or attitudes considered offenses against sacred beings, principles, or practices, and it is often described as an obstacle to spiritual progress.

In bhakti traditions, especially within Gaudiya Vaishnavism, aparāda is used to describe offenses that harm one’s relationship with the divine, the guru, or other devotees. Common categories include offenses to the holy name (nama aparāda), offenses to the deity’s form or sacred image (murti aparādhā), offenses to the guru (gurupāda aparādha), and offenses to Vaishnavas or fellow devotees (vaishnava aparādha). There may also be offenses against scriptures or spiritual authorities. Although the specific lists vary among lineages, the overarching idea is that disrespect, doubt, or harm toward these sacred realities hinders spiritual growth.

The concept appears in various bhakti texts and commentaries, where practitioners are taught to recognize, avoid, and rectify aparādha. Remedies typically emphasize humility, careful hearing, proper conduct, and devotional practices performed with reverence. Guidance from a qualified teacher or guru is often recommended to restore right relations within the spiritual community and to re-enter the path of sincere worship.

Beyond religious usage, aparāda is also employed in modern Indian languages to mean crime or wrongdoing in a legal or moral sense, but in religious contexts it carries a specialized meaning related to offenses against sacred ideals and relationships.