In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Apahāriṇī (अपहारिणी) (Cf. Apahārin) refers to “one who destroys (sins)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Obeisance to Thee, O lord, Hṛṣīkeśa, Acyuta, Mṛḍa, Śaṅkara, Adhokṣaja, enemy of the Asuras, Gaja and Kāma. Obeisance to you, O partaker of poison. Obeisance to Thee, O lord Nārāyaṇa, devoted to Nārāyaṇa, of the form of Nārāyaṇa, oh! one born of Nārāyaṇa’s body. Obeisance to Thee of all forms, the destroyer of great hells, destroyer of sins (pāpa-apahārin). Obeisance to you, O bull-vehicled god. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Apahāriṇī (अपहारिणी).—A Brahmarākṣasī.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 99.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Apahāriṇī (अपहारिणी) (Cf. Apahārin) refers to “that which removes (the worldly religion)”, according to the Tantrāloka 15.27-30.—Accordingly, “He should destroy all the past and future karmas for the liberation-seeker who is indifferent. He should only purify the prārabdha karma. For the Sādhaka he should purify [the karmas] in the same manner for the purpose of powers. This is the śivadharmiṇī-dīkṣā, which removes the worldly religion (lokadharma-apahāriṇī). The purification of only the bad karma, and not the meritorious, is the lokadharmiṇī-dīkṣā, which is without the worship of mantras. Upon the death of his current body he enjoys [the supernatural powers], starting with aṇimā; and having enjoyed these he goes upwards to where he was joined [during the initiation ritual], at a sakala or niṣkala level”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Harini, Apa.

Ends with: Bijapaharini, Lokadharmapaharini.

Full-text: Apaharin, Lokadharma.

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