At Yoga Beyond Yoga Sutra 1.18

In Yoga Sutra 1.17,Patanjali explained the various types/stages of Yoga,

Savitarka Samadhi,

Savichara Samadhi,

Ananda Samadhi and

Saasmita Samadhi.

These four belong to Sampraagya or the state attained by being with the Consciousness.

Now Patanjali explains that the real Yoga does not end here.

A Yogi after attaining the Consciousness identification, reaches a stage where he should be able to transcend that stage ,be with the world and yet be with the Consciousness.

This stage is what is described as Asampragyada Samadhi.

This is the stage where the practitioner of Yoga, though he has attained the Sampragya samadhi,  returns back, as it were, to the day-to-day World and keeps himself engaged in daily activities, yet remaining one with the Supreme.

This is what Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita while discoursing on the Karma, Gnana, and Bhakti Yoga.

On karma Yoga, Krishna explains that when one performs Duty as it has to be performed with out attachment to the fruits thereof, he attains Brahma Nirvana.

The effects of actions do not touch him, he is not caught in the Samskaras or Vasanas(Tendencis extending beyond the present birth).

While talking about Gnana Yoga , Lord Krishna advises that for one who has known that He is Not different from the reality, the Samaskaras leave as  leaves are burnt by a raging Fire.

Under Bhakti  Yoga, in 18.66, Krishna Declares,

‘Leave all actions,take refuge in Me,,I shall take care of your Sins and Grant you Liberation”

“sarva-dharmān parityajyamām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajaahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyomokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ(BG 18.66)”

विरामप्रत्ययाभ्यासपूर्वः संस्कारशेषोऽन्यः
viramapratyayabhyasapoorvah sanskarashesho anyah

virama = complete cessation;
pratyaya = firmly convinced;
abhyasa poorvah = by the practice;
samskaraseshah = having only impressions remain;
anyah = the other;

By firmly convinced practice of the complete cessation of the mental modifications, the impressions only remain. This is the other samadhi [asamprajnata or non-distinguished].

explanation of the Sutra in the next post.

Related articles

• Yoga Sutra 1.17 Samadhi Contemplation (ramanan50.wordpress.com)