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Yoga Sutra 1.17
वितर्कविचारानन्दास्मितारूपानुगमात् संप्रज्ञातः ॥१७॥
vitarka-vicāra-ānanda-asmitā-rupa-anugamāt-saṁprajñātaḥ ॥17॥
- vitarka: gross thought, reasoning
- vicāra: subtle thought, reflection
- ānanda: bliss, ecstasy
- asmitā: sense of individuality
- rupa: form, nature
- asmitā-rūpa: feeling of oneness with nature and with one’s own form
- anugamāt: accompanied by, associated with
- saṁprajñātaḥ: samadhi with prajna, absolute knowledge
- Samprajnata samadhi constitutes association respectively with reasoning, reflection, bliss, and sense of individuality.
- OR
- Samprajnata Samadhi is that which is accompanied by reasoning, reflection, bliss and pure being.
Definition of samprajnata samadhi - The ultimate goal of yoga is samadhi. The state of samadhi can happen when the consciousness is free from the physical sphere. If one can withdraw the physical as well as pranic sense of awareness, and remain aware of mental awareness, that is the beginning of samadhi.
Out of these five spheres of consciousness; anandamaya kosha is the finest of all, which is bliss. When the consciousness reaches anandamaya kosha, it becomes free from the Prakriti. This awareness when pure is known as Atman, which is subtle.
Samadhi is categorized as sabeeja and nirbeeja, which means with seed and without seed. And samprajnata samadhi comes under sabeeja samadhi. In sabeeja samadhi, the mind is fixed on a symbol, either gross or subtle, the content of the symbol in the mind, also known as pratyaya. A beginner can start the sadhana with minimum object to rest the mind, and after prolong practice, pratyaya can be discarded to reach the state of samadhi. Symbol here can be of Aum or sun, or a object like flame or idol of Lord.
References
- Four Chapters on Freedom by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, published in 1976.
