SAMADHI PAD SUTRA-47

                             NIRVICHAR VAISHARADYA ADHYATM PRASADAH

        WHEN THE NIRVICHAR SAMADHI IS PURIFIED (OR PERFECTED) THEN CHITTA

        HAS STEADY CONCENTRATION ON THE SELF.

      As one can imagine, when we have a success in maintaining any level of the Samadhi, we get more interest and it is easier to progress. But one has to get some 'fruits' out of our efforts, then only one continues to do more intense efforts. This is true of anything in life . If we try to play tennis and have some progress and now we can hit a ball better and may have some success in a tennis tournament, we will be encourager to do more practice. But if we continue to do poorly , we will be discouraged and will may be stop practicing the game of tennis. Same is true of the Samadhi. Once we go through the initial levels of the Samadhi , which are not as difficult as the higher levels are, (though with no previous experience we find it more difficult),we must see some improvement or some rewards of the Samadhi.So once we have perfected the Nirvichar Samdhi, we have some knowledge of the SELF and have some intuition. How does this manifest in practical life ?When we are at the higher plane of the thought process or may be the so called 'universal mind ', we can 'know' more than ordinary people. You might have seen someone ;knowing' something that ordinarily is impossible to know. e.g knowing that some one had auto accident or knowing that some one has delivered a baby(when we knew that she was pregnant but not known that she was in labour.)In the beginning this may come as surprise. But this is the intuitive mind that we see at work. This can not be explained on the basis of logic, but only on the basis of the mind power that one develop with the ability to concentrate beyond the 'gross' objects.
      These kind of so called power will encourage us to do more efforts to achieve higher levels . ONE SHOULD NOT GET STUCK AT THIS LEVEL. These intuitive thought may be random and not always on 'demand' . But they are still there.But the main thing that hapens is the ability to see beyond the Gross level.

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA -46

                                                 TA EVA SABIJAH SAMADHI

                           THESE (SAMADHIES)TOGETHER ARE WITH SEED

     So far we have been talking about the various stages of the Samadhies. In the Savitarka samadhi , we have one concentrating on gross object. In the Savichar samadhi we still concentrate on the Gross object' , but it is without needing the actual , physical presence of  the gross object.But it is still required in our thought. In the next levels, we go higher and subtler levels with the AHANKAR, (the EGO ),called SANAND and still subtler is the CHITTA or the origin of the EGO or AHANKAR called the CHITTA.(SASMITA).
      Even though we have subtler levels and don't need the 'Gross" object we still have the object.The mind(level of SAVICHAR SAMADHI ) is subtler than senses(SAVITRKA SAMADHI ) and the ego(SANAND SAMADHI) is subtler than the mind and the Chitta(SASMIT LEVEL) is still subtler.But we DO HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP TO THE OBJECT. So it has a SEED . So it is with BIJA or the SEED. In the higher level of SAMADHI , there is no seed . This will be described in next Sutras.

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA -45

                        SUKSHMA VISHAYATWAM CHA ALINGA PARYAVASANAM

       (CONCENTRATING ON)SMALLER THINGS WILL LEAD TO THE UN MANIFESTED

        NATURE

       This sutra is telling us that as one tries to concentrate on smaller and smaller thing , he goes 'higher' and 'higher' level of the Samadhi. We were told about the lower levels as being concentration upon the 'gross' objects and gradually the object of the concentration is subtler and subtler.You might have heard that worshiping the Lord Shiva is good , but when one can worship and concentrate upon the "PINDI" or the "LINGA", it is better. This is due to the fact that the PINDI represents the 'nonhuman ' structure , which represents the origin of the life. This is subtler than the Lord Shiva Statue. So we are at higher level of the Samadhi.
        To understand the meaning of the ALINGA STATE, one must know the concept of the origin of the universe. This is discussed in the latter chapters.According to the Hindu concept the Universe is singularity and then expands and then then contracts or better word is 'dissolves' in to again singularity. This has continued for ever. So there is no beginning or end to this process. When the Universe is in the 'balanced' state , it is in state of singularity.At that time the 3 qualities (Gunas) are in balance. This is called the SAMYAWASTA. or the dormant state of the universe. The nature or the PRAKRUTI which has the qualities and the the Spirit or the PURUSHA.But this balance state is called the ALINGA. So when we start ascending or going deeper in our concentration , we can go to the level of the ALINGA state.

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA -44

      ETA YAIVA SAWICHARA NIRWICHARA CH SUKSHMA VISHAYA VYAKHAYATA

 THE OTHER SAMADHIS (RELATED TO SMALLER SUBJECT) HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED IN

 THE SAME WAY

In this Sutra we are told that there are higher levels of samadhis and they can be explained , in the same way as the lower levels of samadhis have been explained in the previous sutras.So one has to understand the levels of the samadhies and how we concentrate and progress in it.In the beginning we concentrate on Gross appearance of the statue or picture. But then when we have progressed in the concentration, then we start looking beyond it like the 5 gross elements that go in formation of the all the things in this world.So let me first summarise the various levels and the object of the concentration , and what we get out of it .
    In the SAVITARK and NIRVITARKA we concentrate on GROSS elements and gross objects and this is done by GROSS senses.Once we have achieved success in this level we have mastery over gross elements.
    In the next level, called ,SAVICHAR and NIRVICHARA levels of the samadhi, subtle are the focus of the concentration and we use subtle senses to achieve t. This leads to purification of mind.
    In the next level called SANANDA, we leave the senses and then go to the level where we are at the level of EGO or Ahankara.With the success of this we have more purity of mind and get some Psychic Powers.
   In the next level which is called SASMITA, we are at the level of CHITTA, or the source of ego When we have the mastery of this levels ,we get Intuitive Vision.
   When we reach the higher level called ASAMPRADNYAT level, we have complete withdrawal of the all senses, mind , and CHITTA, This leads to the highest level and we have the liberation.
   In the BHAGAWAT GEETA, CHAPTER ONE, verses 15 to 18 have mention of various conchs being blown by various PANDAWAS, have some relations to the levels of samadhies.These Pandawas are related to the 5 Elements (MAHABHUTE) and they also have various CHAKRAS and they also indicate what we perceive when we achieve the different levels of samadhies.So I will try to mention them .
   Sahadeva, the youngest of the all Pandavas ,is related to the element , EARTH and is located at the level of the MULADHAR CHAKRA, .This chakra has 4 petals and the controlling Deity is GANESH.It is at the coccygel part of the physical body. At this level we are in SAVITARKA samadhi.So when we have perfected it, we hear sound of HONEY BEES.(This is the sound of the conch of SAHADEV, called Manipushpaka).This chakra is related to previous impressions or SAUNSKARAS.
  The next one is Nakula, which represents, the element WATER, and it is related to the SWADHISTAN CHAKRA, This chakra has 6 petals and the controlling deity is BRAHMA.It is at the sacral level of the physical body. At this level we are at the SAVICHAR samadhi.The sound that we hear the sound of Flute and that is the conch of Nakula called SUGHOSHA. There are no more doubts like in previous level (Savitarka)and we are guided by the intellect.This is related to RAJAS GUNA,may be that is why it is under the control of BRAHMA.
   Arjuna represents the element TEJA or the Agni and is related to the Manipoor chakra. This Chakra has 10 petals and it is at the level of lumbar spine level in the physical body.The controlling Deity is VISHNU and it is related to the SATWA guna . The sound that we hear withe the control of this centre is sound of VINA or Harp.The level of Samadhi is called SANAND. Now we are beyond the gross or subtle elements and we are at the level of Ego.The conch of Arjuna is called Dhananjaya.
    Bhima represents the element of AIR or the VAYU, He also represents the ANAHAT CHAKRA .This chakra has 12 petals and is under the control of deity of RUDRA. It is related to the TAMO GUNA and physically it is at the level of Dorsal spine. The conch of Bhima is called PAUNDRA nd the sound that we hear when we control this level is that of AUM. This is also the level of samadhi called SASMITA . We are at the level of EGO principle or the CHITTA.
  The last one is DHARMARAJ OR YUDHISHTHIR.It is related to element of AKASHA and is related to the VISHUDHYA CHAKRA.This chakra has 16 petals and the JIWATMA is the controller and it is related to the TAMO GUNA. At this level of samadhi is ASAMPRADNYAT SAMADHI and we hear the sound of distant ocean. In this level , the MIND , the Intellect , the Ego, and and the Chitta are all dissolved, and we have pure intuitive perception.

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA -43

        SMRUTI PARISHUDDHAU SWARUPA SHUNYA EVA ARTHA  MANTRA NIRBHASA

         NIRVITARK

        WITH THE PURIFICATION OF THE MEMORY,MIND BECOMES DEVOID OF

        MEMORY,SHINES WITH THE OBJECT ITSELF,AND THEN THAT STATE IS CALLED

        NIRWITARK SAMADHI

As we continue to go further in the meditation or the Samadhi, there is a deeper or different level of the concentration or the state of the mind . In the beginning of the Samadhi,as was mentioned we start with  a statue or the picture of the GOD.and chant the Mantra. So our MIND is now thinking of the statue and the words that we are chanting . Let us say I am looking at the statue of the Lord Krishna. So when I look at the statue as the figure gets in my brain , it jogs the memory and the then the minds knows that it is statue of the Lord Krishna. Same is with the words that I am chanting. The words like OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAY, will mean nothing to the person who does not know the Sanskrit language. But when I say it and the words go to my brain hearing center, and goes to my MIND and then the memory is joged  and I know what it means. Even though this happens in a fraction of a second, and I am not aware of it , IT DOES HAPPEN. But with the practice , and better concentration, we reach higher levels of the Samadhi and now I do not need the statue or the word to go through the 'process' that was described , but our mind instantly gets concentrated with the SUPREME BEING,something which does not need the help of SWAROOP(THE LOOK) OR THE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE IT. This is called the NIRVITARK SAMADHI. So in this stage we don't have  the size, shape or form or the words to describe our action.So our mind is one with the object and beyond.

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA-42

 TATRA SHABDA ARTHA DNYANA VIKALPAIH SANKIRNA SAVITARKA SAMAPATTIH

       IN SAVITARK SAMADHI,THERE IS CONFUSION CAUSED BY IMAGINATION OF

       WORD,MEANING AND KNOWLEDGE.
       In this Sutra there is some explanation of the lower level Samadhi , called SAVITRK Samadhi. As described in the previous Sutra, when we start to meditate, we are told to start with the right time , right place , right atmosphere, and right posture and the right chanting(of the Mantra).So we are asked to have a statue or a picture of Sagoon God (the God that has QUALITIES) ,and the have our senses engaged by various external sources. Have scented candle, little music, and the chanting of the Mantra while we look at the Statue. So in this Sutra we are told there are 3 things that happen , when we say a word. The word has a meaning and the it conveys a Knowledge.So if I say a word like FATHER,you will know the meaning and will have the knowledge about the word . But if one does not understand English, then he will here the word , but will not know the meaning or knowledge of the word.Now there is a difference between the meaning and the knowledge. So I may be in position to understand the word, but not know , or have a concept of it. Say for example nuclear fusion .I know the word , I know nuclear fusion , but I truly don't have much knowledge of it.And the same word may mean different things in different languages . POO POO PLATTER IS A GREAT EXAMPLE The same words convey different meaning to different people..So there is a difference in the understanding of different words and what they really mean.This is call VIKALP .
       So in the lower level of the SAMADHI, it is what we understand and mean when we  CHANT a mantra or look at a Statue of a GOD. What I feel when I see Lord Ganesha Statue,I have different feeling and different meaning.But to a christen it will have no special meaning.
   In the Sutra 9 we were told that when word convey something which is not REAL and is IMAGINARY , it is called VIKALP.So the word may mean something to me but to not every one as it is my imagination.(The looks of any GOD is not real, it is what we want it to be .) 

SAMADHI PAD SUTRA -41

       KSHEEN VRITTIR ABHIJATASYA EW A MANERGRAHITRI GRAHANA GRAHASHU

       TATSTHATADANJANATA SAMAPATTIH

WHEN THE THOUGHT WAVES ARE MINIMAL OR WEAK, THE MIND (OF THE YOGI) CAN IDENTIFY WITH COSMIC MIND(MAHAT),OR SUBTLE MIND ANS SENSES OR GROSS OBJECTS.THEN THE STATE IS CALLED SAMAPTI OR THE LOWER LEVEL OF SAMADHI IS REACHED.(SAMPRADNYAT SAMADHI )

      This Sutra is somewhat  of a summery of the stages of Samadhi or what we were told in the previous Sutra. When the mind is quittened and the thought are minimal or gone, then the mind or the CHITTA is one with whatever it is concentrating on it To understand this sutra , one must know and  understand the process of seeing or smelling or thinking. When I see a thing or an object ,I look at the object and so the light is reflected from it to my eyes. The light goes to retina and via optic nerve goes to the brain. But neither the object nor the eye is wholy responsible for me seeing it. The optic nerve carries the impulse to the coccipital lobe of the brain , the center for vision. There is a chemical reaction ,and that does not see the object either. There is mind and  it must be present and the intelect behind it must be intact .But there is something beyond it. If my eyes are open and I am thinking of something else , then I will not see the object even though it is in front of my eyes . So the 3 things are needed to see . These thing are there even when we do the meditation, at least in the earlier stages
      So in the earlier stages of the Samdhi, one which is called SAVITARK, the mind is concentrating on a object. So when this stage is perfected , then there are no thoughts ,other than the object.So the mind or CHITTA is one with it. So there is an OBJECT , that one concentrates upon , then there is a process of the concentration and then there is CHITTA which concentrates. So there are 3 things. These are called GRAHYA,the object that we concentrate upon , the  GRAHAN , what we do through senses and the mind, and the witness to all this is GRAHITA.So in the SAVITARK stage of the SAMADHI, all three are there.Then in the next stage, which is called the SAWICHAR ,even though there is no object , the thought that we have which make us concentrate on the object is still there and so it also has all 3. .But in the next stages of the SAMADHI, which are  called SANAND and the SASMIT. In the SANAND, stage  there is no object and so there is no GRAHYA. Only GRAHAN nad GRAHITA are there. In the SASMITA stage there is only GRAHITA and there is no object of concentration , nor there is any though or mind or any senses . ONLY THE WITNESS is there