Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 1, Verse 42

Pada 1, Sutra 42

Sanskrit Verse

Tatra shabdartha-jnana-vikalpaih sankirna savitarka samapattih

Translation

At this stage, when the mind achieves identity with the object of concentration together with the awareness of word, meaning, knowledge and conceptualization this is called Cognitive Absorption with reflection or Savitarka Samadhi.

Interpretation

Savitarka Samadhi implies Cognitive Absorption with deliberation as the concepts of name, meaning, knowledge and conceptualization of the object being concentrated upon and identified with are still there. What separates Savitarka Samadhi from ordinary thinking is that in Savitarka Samadhi the reflection on the object through word, meaning, knowledge and conceptualization arise spontaneously and effortlessly whereas in ordinary thinking they arises through wandering thoughts and vague ideas and not through Cognitive Absorption.