Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 1, Verse 44

Pada 1, Sutra 44

Sanskrit Verse

Etayaiva savicara nirvicara ca suksma-visaya vyakhyata

Translation

When the object held in consciousness is subtle, cognitive absorption is still classified as either with or without deliberation.

Interpretation

Whether the object of our concentrative contemplation is on a tangible object (e.g. an actual Murthi) or a subtle object (e.g. a spiritual quality such as Compassion), Samadhi or cognitive absorption is still qualified as either i) with reflection/deliberation, where our awareness of the object is mixed with awareness of name, quality and knowledge (this is called Savichara Samadhi and is considered to be a lower kind of Samadhi), or as ii) without reflection/deliberation, where our awareness of the object is unmixed. This is called Nirvichara Samadhi and is considered to be a higher kind of Samadhi. Only in Nirvichara Samadhi can true Anandam (Bliss) and knowledge of the True Self Within arise.