Raja Yoga Sutra by Patanjali With commentary by Sri Swami Sivananda Random Selection
Raja Yoga Sutra Selection # 23 From Discourse I: "Samadhi Pada- On Contemplations" I.17. VITARKA-VICHAARAANANDAASMITAANUGAMAAT SAMPRJNAATAH '"Samprajnata samadhi" (samadhi with consciousness) is accompanied by reasoning, discrimination, bliss, and an awareness of individuality.' Commentary: 'Samadhi', the superconscious state, is of two types. The first, 'samprajnanta', means "with seed," and is the state where there is full concentration and the experience of bliss, but duality still exists. Here there remains awareness of the object of meditation as separate from the individual who is meditating. The second type, 'asamprajnata samadhi', is said to be "seedless." It is the highest state of consciousness, in which there is no duality and the meditator is completely merged with 'Purusha'. Through 'samprajnata samadhi' come all the powers of controlling the elements and, hence, nature. Knowledge alone is power, and when one has knowledge of something, he gains power over it. For example, one who meditates on the stars may lose track of all else, but as long as 'vrittis' remain, there is still duality. In this concentrated state, even though there is no merging, knowledge of the stars is gained, and hence the powers of an astrologer. To control any element or its modification, one must concentrate on it, and with meditation comes power.
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