Parartha, Parārtha, Para-artha: 16 definitions
Introduction:
Parartha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Pararth.
In Hinduism
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar1) Parārtha (परार्थ).—The sense of another word; cf. परार्थाभिधानं वृत्तिः इत्याहुः । (parārthābhidhānaṃ vṛttiḥ ityāhuḥ |) M.Bh. on II.1.1,Vart.2;
2) Parārtha.—For the sake of,or being of use in,the next (सूत्र (sūtra));cf.परार्थे मम भविष्यति सन्यत इद्भवतीति (parārthe mama bhaviṣyati sanyata idbhavatīti), M. Bh. on I.1.59 Vart. 8.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Nyaya (school of philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: A study of Nyāya-vaiśeṣika categoriesParārtha (परार्थ, “syllogism”) or Parārthānumāna refers to “inference intended for another” and represents one of the two divisions of anumāna (inference), according to Annaṃbhaṭṭa’s Tarkasaṃgraha. Anumāna is the second of the four “means of valid knowledge” (pramāṇa), which in turn is classified as the first of the sixteen padārthas (“categories”). Etymologically svārtha means [inference] which is intended for oneself and parārtha is that [inference] which is for another.
Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationParārtha (परार्थ) refers to “other’s interests”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.31 (“Description of Śiva’s magic”).—Accordingly, as Bṛhaspati said to the Gods: “All of you gods seem to be selfish in nature. You want to destroy other’s interests (parārtha). Indeed I will go to hell by disparaging Śiva. O gods, one of you shall go to the mountain. Let him urge the lord of the mountains and achieve the desired object. Let him stay in Bhārata after giving his daughter without willingness. It is certain he will attain salvation if he gives his daughter with devotion. [...]”.

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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraParārtha (परार्थ) refers to “(realizing) the benefit of others”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 40).—Accordingly, “[Question].—The ten powers are knowledges and the four fearlessnesses (vaiśāradya) are also knowledges. What are the similarities and the differences? [Answer].—When the qualities of the Buddha are explained at length, this is bala; when they explained in brief, this is vaiśāradya. [...] Realizing one’s own personal (svārtha) benefit is bala; realizing the benefit of others (parārtha) is vaiśāradya. Destroying one’s own disturbing emotions is bala; destroying the disturbing emotions of others is vaiśāradya. Not wasting away is bala; being without difficulty or decline is vaiśāradya. [...]”.

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryparārtha (परार्थ).—m (S) The property, the business or concern, or the purpose or object of another. Ex. svārtha parārtha pāhāvā. 2 Used as ad For the sake of another.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishparārtha (परार्थ).—m The property, the business or concern or object of another. ad For the sake of another.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryParārtha (परार्थ).—a.
1) having another aim or meaning.
2) intended or designed for another, done for another. (-rthaḥ) 1 the highest interest or advantage.
2) the interest of another (opp. svārtha); स्वार्थो यस्य परार्थ एव स पुमानेकः सतामग्रणीः (svārtho yasya parārtha eva sa pumānekaḥ satāmagraṇīḥ) Subhāṣ.; R.1.29.
3) the chief or highest meaning.
4) the highest object (i.e. sexual intercourse).
5) the supreme good (mokṣa); ज्ञात्वा प्रजहि कालेन परार्थमनुदृश्य च (jñātvā prajahi kālena parārthamanudṛśya ca) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.288.9.
6) Something else. Hence परार्थता (parārthatā) or परार्थत्व (parārthatva) means 'being subsidiary to something else; परार्थता हि गुणभावः (parārthatā hi guṇabhāvaḥ) ŚB. on MS.4.3.
7) an object which is meant for another's use (Sāṅ. Phil.); सङ्घातपरार्थत्वात् त्रिगुणादिविपर्ययादधिष्ठानात् (saṅghātaparārthatvāt triguṇādiviparyayādadhiṣṭhānāt) Sāṃkhyakārikā 17. °वादिन् (vādin) a. speaking for another; mediator, substitute.
Parārtha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms para and artha (अर्थ).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryParārtha (परार्थ).—mfn.
(-rthaḥ-rthā-rthaṃ) 1. Having another object or sense, &c. 2. Designed or purposed by another. 3. The highest interest. 4. The chief meaning. n.
(-rthaṃ) For the sake or good of another. E. para, and artha object.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryParārtha (परार्थ).—m. 1. great importance. 2. the interests of another. 3. sexual intercourse.
Parārtha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms para and artha (अर्थ).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryParārtha (परार्थ).—1. [masculine] highest (or another’s) advantage, interest, business, or matter. °—, [accusative] & [locative] [adverb] for another’s sake, for others.
--- OR ---
Parārtha (परार्थ).—2. [adjective] having another object, dependent on another person or thing.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Parārtha (परार्थ):—[from para] a m. the highest advantage or interest, an important object, [Mahābhārata]
2) [v.s. ...] sexual intercourse, [Pañcatantra]
3) [v.s. ...] an°’s adv° or int° ([in the beginning of a compound], rtham ind. or rthe ind. for another or for others or for something else), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] mfn. (also -ka) having an° object
5) [v.s. ...] designed for an°
6) [v.s. ...] dependent on something else (-tā f. -tva n.), [???; Sāṃkhyakārikā; Tarkasaṃgraha]
7) b parārdha etc. See under para, p. 587, col. 3.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryParārtha (परार्थ):—[parā+rtha] (rthaḥ-rthā-rthaṃ) a. Having another meaning; for another’s good.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryParārtha (परार्थ) [Also spelled pararth]:—(nm) altruism, benevolence, beneficence; ~[para/parāyaṇa] benevolent, beneficent; altruistic; ~[paratā/parāyaṇatā] altruism; ~[vāda] altruism; hence ~[vāditā] (nf); ~[vādī] an altruist; altruistic; [parārthī] an altruist, a benevolent man.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusParārtha (ಪರಾರ್ಥ):—
1) [noun] welfare of another or others.
2) [noun] final emancipation of the soul.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+1): Pararthacara, Pararthacarita, Pararthacarya, Pararthahara, Pararthaka, Pararthakamtaka, Parartham, Pararthanipuna, Pararthanishtha, Pararthanumana, Pararthapahara, Pararthapara, Pararthapuja, Pararthasaviharashiri, Pararthasaviharashri, Pararthashura, Pararthasprihe, Pararthata, Pararthatva, Pararthavadin.
Ends with: Amataparartha, Svaparartha, Uditaparartha.
Full-text (+20): Pararthavadin, Parartham, Pararthya, Svartha, Pararthata, Pararthatva, Pararthacarya, Pararthacara, Pararthanishtha, Bhavaka, Pararthe, Pararthin, Pararthanumana, Syanda, Udyamabhrit, Pararth, Swarth, Upanidhyana, Abhoktritva, Upadesha.
Relevant text
Search found 23 books and stories containing Parartha, Parārtha, Para-artha; (plurals include: Pararthas, Parārthas, arthas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 1.10.3 < [Chapter 10 - Description of the Birth of Lord Balarāma]
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
1. Expiatory Rites in Śaiva Texts (Introduction) < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]
The Tattvasangraha [with commentary] (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 3568-3569 < [Chapter 26 - Examination of the ‘Person of Super-normal Vision’]
Verse 1362-1363 < [Chapter 18 - Inference]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.5.5 < [Part 5 - Permanent Ecstatic Mood (sthāyī-bhāva)]
Verse 2.5.43 < [Part 5 - Permanent Ecstatic Mood (sthāyī-bhāva)]
Verse 2.5.3 < [Part 5 - Permanent Ecstatic Mood (sthāyī-bhāva)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
V. Distracted mind (vikṣepacitta) < [Part 4 - Avoiding evil minds]
III. Similarities and differences between powers and fearlessnesses < [Part 1 - The four fearlessnesses of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
Note (1). The four Bodhisattva stages or practices < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]
Philosophy of Charaka-samhita (by Asokan. G)
Dialectical terms (2): Demonstration (sthāpanā) < [Chapter 7 - Logic and Dialectical Speculations]
Inference (anumāna) [in Charaka philosophy] < [Chapter 6 - Source of Knowledge (pramāṇa)]
General attributes (sāmānya-guṇas) < [Chapter 2 - Fundamental Categories]