Patanjali Yogasutra 1.42
तत्र शब्दार्थज्ञानविकल्पैः संकीर्णा सवितर्का समापत्तिः॥१.४२॥
"Then, the absorption (samapatti) which is accompanied by reasoning (savitarka) is mixed with verbal knowledge (shabda), its meaning (artha), and conceptualization (jnana)."
In this Sutra, Patanjali describes a specific state of meditative absorption known as savitarka samapatti. This state is characterized by the mingling of the word (shabda), its meaning (artha), and the knowledge or conceptualization (jnana) that arises from it. Essentially, it is a form of meditation where the mind engages in reasoning and analysis of the object of focus. This stage is crucial in the progression of meditation as it allows the practitioner to deeply understand the nature of the object being meditated upon, but it is still bound by the constructs of language and thought.
The term savitarka indicates that this form of samapatti involves a discursive or analytical approach. The mind is actively engaged in dissecting and understanding the object through verbal and conceptual frameworks. This is an important step in the meditative process as it helps in clarifying and solidifying the understanding of the object. However, it is not the final stage of meditation, as the mind is still involved in the dualistic process of analysis and reasoning.
In the broader context of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, this Sutra highlights the transition from the more superficial levels of meditation to deeper, more refined states. While savitarka samapatti is a significant achievement, it is still considered an intermediate stage. The ultimate goal is to move beyond this analytical state to reach nirvitarka samapatti, where the mind transcends verbal and conceptual knowledge and experiences the object in its purest form, free from the constructs of language and thought.
To provide context, let's compare this with similar verses from other Vedic texts:
Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.9
यदा पश्यः पश्यते रुक्मवर्णं कर्तारमीशं पुरुषं ब्रह्मयोनिम्।
तदा विद्वान् पुण्यपापे विधूय निरञ्जनः परमं साम्यमुपैति॥
"When the seer sees the golden-hued creator, the Lord, the Purusha, the Source of Brahman, then the wise one, shaking off all deeds of merit and demerit, becomes stainless and attains Supreme equality."
This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad speaks of the Ultimate Realization where the seer perceives the Divine Essence directly, transcending all dualities and conceptualizations, similar to the state of nirvitarka samapatti in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
Bhagavad Gita 6.20-23
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया।
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति॥६.२०॥
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम्।
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः॥६.२१॥
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः।
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते॥६.२२॥
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्।
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा॥६.२३॥
"When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, attains quietude and when, seeing the Self by the self, one is satisfied in the Self; when one feels that Infinite Bliss which is perceived by the intellect and which transcends the senses, and established therein, one never departs from the Truth; having obtained that, one thinks there is no greater gain; being established therein, one is not moved even by heavy sorrow. Let that be known as the state called yoga, a disconnection from the union with pain. This yoga should be practiced with determination and an un-despairing mind."
These verses from the Bhagavad Gita describe the state of deep meditation where the mind is fully restrained and one experiences the Self directly, leading to Supreme Bliss and stability, akin to the higher states of samapatti described by Patanjali.
Yoga Vashishta 6.1.32
मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः।
बन्धाय विषयासक्तं मुक्त्यै निर्विषयं स्मृतम्॥
"The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for human beings. Attached to sense objects, it leads to bondage; free from sense objects, it leads to liberation."
This verse from the Yoga Vashishta emphasizes the role of the mind in achieving Realization, highlighting the importance of transcending attachment to sense objects, which aligns with the progression from savitarka to nirvitarka samapatti in Patanjali's system.
These comparisons illustrate the common theme across various Vedic texts of transcending the constructs of the mind to achieve a state of pure, direct experience of the Self or the Reality.
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