Yoga Sutra Study

Sutra 1.43

[Discussion on this sutra continued during the meeting on 5/22/10]

स्मृतिपरिशुद्धौ स्वरूपशून्येवार्थमात्रनिर्भासा निर्वितर्का॥४३॥

smRutiparishuddhau svarUpashUnyevaarthamAtranirbhaasaa nirvitrakaa

smRuti = memory; parishuddhau = on clarification; svarUpa = own form or essential nature; shUnya = devoid of; iva = as if; artha = real meaning; mAtra = only; nirbhaasaa = shining, appearing as; nirvitrakaa = samadhi characterized by absence of Vitarka

Taimni

"On the clarification of memory, when the mind loses its essential nature (subjectivity), as it were, and the real knowledge of the object alone shines (through the mind), Nirvitarka Samadhi is attained."

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Sutra 1.42

[Discussion on this sutra continued during the meeting on 5/8/10]

तत्र शब्दार्थज्ञानविकल्पैः संकीर्णा सवितर्का समापत्तिः॥४२॥

tatra shabdArthaj~jAnavikalpaiH saMkIrNaa savitarkaa samaapattiH

tatra = there; shabda = word; Artha = real meaning; j~jAna = ordinary knowledge; vikalpaiH = alternating between different alternatives due to confusion; saMkIrNaa = mixed up; savitarkaa = a state of samadhi characterized by vitarka (gross object); samaapattiH = absorption

Taimni

"Savitarka Samadhi is that in which knowledge based only on words, real
knowledge and ordinary knowledge based on sense perception or reasoning are present
in a mixed state and the mind alternates between them."

Sutras 1.42-1.51 discuss various aspects of ‘samadhi’. The word Samadhi does not represent a specific state of mind but a range of super-conscious states of mind which lead to ‘kaivalya’. Attainment of Samadhi can lead a yogi into higher realms of consciousness.

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