The word samadhi literally means sama and dhi – Sama means equanimous and dhi means the buddhi or intellect. If you reach that kind of equanimous state of intellect, it is known as samadhi.
The word samadhi has been largely misunderstood. People think samadhi means some death-like situation. The word samadhi literally means sama and dhi – sama means equanimous and dhi means the buddhi or intellect. If you reach that kind of equanimous state of intellect, it is known as samadhi.
The basic functioning of the intellect is always to set things apart. It is because intellect is functioning that you can discriminate cold versus warm. If you transcend the intellect you become equanimous.
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When your awareness becomes perfect you are simply equanimous, you are not making a distinction – you are simply here, seeing life in its true working.
The moment you drop or transcend the intellect, discrimination cannot exist. Everything becomes one whole, which is the reality. In this state there is no time or space.
Time and space is a creation of your mind. Once you transcend the mind as a limitation, time and space doesn’t exist for you. What is here is there, what is now is then. There is no past or future for you. Everything is here in this moment.
Samadhis are of different varieties. When you are living in the body there are eight samadhis available to a human being.
Of these eight, they have been broadly categorized as savikalpa: samadhis with attributes or qualities – samadhis that are very pleasant, blissful, and ecstatic – and nirvikalpa: samadhis that are beyond pleasant and unpleasant, they are without attributes or qualities. Those who go into nirvikalpa samadhi states are always kept in protected states because their contact with the body has become very minimal.
The smallest disturbance, like a sound or a pinprick would dislodge them from their body. These states are maintained for certain periods to establish the distinction between you and the body. It is a significant step in one’s spiritual evolution, but still not the Ultimate. The samadhis by themselves have no great significance in terms of realization.
Mahasamadhi
As long as you are in the body, whatever liberation you attain, the body is a limitation. It is not complete liberation. When someone leaves their body in full awareness, then we call this mahasamadhi because he or she has shed the body.
For someone to be able to do this – taking this life and throwing it out without injuring the body – it needs tremendous energy. Mahasamadhi is a state where one willfully drops the body. The cycle is over. There is no question of rebirth, it is complete dissolution. You can say this person is truly no more.
Life just shifts from one level to another. In reality there is no such thing as death. Death exists only to one who has no awareness about life. There is only life, life, life alone. But mahasamadhi means the real end.
This world is a world of illusion
Created so you wont question who you really are
And designed to keep you small
Learn to meditate and dispel with the illusion
Drop the glamour and mass materialism become aware of self
Om Shanti Om 🕉
Amazing !! Shows great significance of Hinduism.
really astonishing,some thing to be learnt in details.beside this steps for. achievement certainly easy steps are to be known,practised,faithfully.best of luck.
At present some Indian Gurus are misguiding young aspirants regarding the concept of SAMADHI, an esoteric discipline of YOGA. The Gurus also mislead young disciples, both girls and boys in the name of TANTRA which was not at all practised in the Vedic period. Hence it is high time to have proper grasp of the Vedic Discipline of Tantra in correct perspective. Tantra is not for enjoyment of senses; the Divine realization can never be attained by indulging in sense pleasures, it is rather to transcend the material consciousness in the light of the Divine and achieve the perfect transformation of the physical in order to be united with the Sublime Consciousness.
Dear sir,
Then what is jeeva samadhi ? could kindly explain ?
vaidyanathan
Samadhi is a state where there is no conception or perception of the nature of duality in the sense the duality is taken as the nature of nature .
hello, many thanks for interesting article, one question from my side, as a vipassana meditator since 20 years now, i experienced on my first course that dissolution of the body total melting of the bones and organs, it was a incredible sensation i never really experienced again does it mean that i will be liberated after my next death ?
greetings from Paris, anna
Very well explained
Of all different types of Samadhi, Sahaja-samadhi is what one should aspire for through systematic spiritual practice of meditation under the guidance of a capable and compassionate spiritual Master. The mind has to be thoroughly purified of all mental impressions and should become original mind of pristine purity. When there is a high-calibred spiritual guide having the capacity of Yogic-transmission, the seeker can derive tremendous spiritual benefits by following him with “Sraddah”, “Bhakti” and “Samarpana-Bhavam”.
This article itself is confusing. samatavam is equated samaadhi. vidyavinayha sampanne brahmne gavi hastini, shunischaiva swapaakecha panDitaaH sammadarshinaH| and samatvam yoga uchyate – says Krishna. A vision of oneness in spite of apparent differences is sama dRiShTi – comes from say seeing the essence of everything as nothing but Lord or the self – yo maam pasyati sarvatra, sarvancha mayi pasyati – one who sees Me everywhere and everything in Me or sarva bhuutastam aatmaanam sarva bhuutanica aatmani – one sees oneself everywhere and everything in oneself – He sees oneness that pervades everywhere. He has samadRishTi. samadhi vidyaranya explains differently in Panchadashi. For more details on can listen to talks on Spiritual Awakening – on yu-tube by Acharya Sadaji. Hari Om!
IN GENERAL AND ALSO SPECIFIC TO THE QUESTION OF P VAIDYANATHAN ON JEEVA SAMADHI: The lead article explains what is based on classical literature- Over millenuims direct exprience of yogis, saints, sages and seers get added on with new terminology and somtimes altered meanings of words. For instance Mahasamadhi as I have understood means where the soul after experiencing the highest level of onness with the Bramhi state(Brahman) will not return anymore to the eath consciousness (incarnate) where in other states it can choose to come down to manifest as in an Avatara or Vibhuti i.e partial manifestaion. Jiva Samadhi may mean(not 100% sure) that a soul decides to leave the body for some unspecified reason using its will power.
shivaji
Agreed . Samadhi means no deviation from what your mind has acquired. In hindi it is : समाधि अर्थात मन की एकाग्रता , जहां मन लेशमात्र भी विचलित न हो।
Mahaasmaadhi has been equally well defined .
Stateless state, abide there.
I love everything and anything having to do with Buddhism. Compassion. Keep them coming any and all information about this.
I dont know why people are not understanding what is samathi , who is mei guru , now a days everyone is guru, Only one guru in the world who send by god like Mohammed Nabi, jesus, Ramakrishne paramamsher, Rahuvender Vallalar, etc; try to understand and find mei guru to get attained samathi and i am telling u you can see the god it is true . by reading vedas or going to temple and going to yataras u cannot and never see the god understand without mei guru.
Really a very very true picture of Samadhi and Maha Samadhi…thanks…
the word Samadhi has been used in the bhagvad gita in its correct sense.it means a state of the mind when a person gives up all desires for personal comfort and pleasures, likes and dislikes and dedictes himself entirely to the service of god and his creation.he then becomes a friend of all beings,is full of compassion and kindness and becomes indifferent to sorrow or happiness,performs all duties assigned to him as service to god without aspiring for their fruits or reward for himself.such a person is called a sthitpragnya,a karmyogi,gyani and bhakt.once a person reaches this stage ,it lasts till he breathes his last and after his passing away,he merges with the absolute and is liberated from the cycle of death and birth.the Samadhi described by sage patanjali in yogstras is the highest stage of meditation which can last only for an hour or so.it is said that some yogis get themselves buried while they are actually alive in this stage of concentration.then they are said to have taken jivant Samadhi.sant gyaneshwar of Maharashtra is said to nave taken such a Samadhi.sahaj Samadhi is like the Samadhi described in gita,when a person in his lifetime becomes so immersed in god that he sees god every where and in every one and loves and serves all creatures as forms of god.as sant kabirdas says what ever he does is service and puja of god,when he walks,it becomes prikrama,such a person becomes one with brahma,the absolute,even in his life time.
Hum….Happy new year and Hannuka blessing lights!
For some decades I got in contact and actively involved with Buddhists of all obédiences and culturally diverses as well as practices and believes originated in the Indian Sub-continent.
However I still don’t feel that the thousands of people I connected with in that sort of “atmospheres” where more “awaken” or alived with authentic presences than my fellow atheists,jewish,muslems or christians surrouding!!!!!!!!!
What’s happening with the free investigations and inventions that could be done….to discover more about who we are as humans and all what we are not developing at all,functions of the brain and body that are still latent,undeveloped,because of pre-established believes explanations of what this phenomenon is or is not…..
Some people get out of their body
One way or an other…and see themself from above..even fligh to some..place….and came back….so what?????
Can they bring back with them some GENIAL INVENTIONS or SO MUCH LOVE OR POWERS…..to transform our earth in PARADISE or at least EVERYONE FEEDED AND NOT ABUSED??????????
What sanctity is usefull for?????
If the billions of high SUFFER still augmenting daily all around? ???
WE MUST GET IT ALL WRONG IN ALL OUR PRACTICES..AND MILLENIUMS OF SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTMENTS!!!!
IM READY TO INVENT IT ALL AGAIN! !!!!
WITH NO PAST OR PRESENT GURUS! NO FUTURES ONE EITHER….!IT DOSE NOT SEAMS TO BE THE WAY TO FOLLOW!!!!!!!
Or maybe yes…if all the teachers or wiser beings could work it out TOGETHER.and stop compeeting for CUSTOMERS!
Happy new year 2017 again and I hoppe always that one day someone curious enough would like to know about my inventions or discoveries….Best wishes…Nathalie
liked the post immensely.
The article Samadhi and Mahasamadhi is really awakened the minds .Such simple explanation of both the words completely refresh the ignorant”s mind.
Thanks to the writer as well as India Devine
it is correct views.mahasamadhi is the process through samadhi.it is secretive method of own self snd achived through blessing of god it self
I am a very materialistic person who got interested in this subject more by chance than by intent. Being from the army Background and pretty old, I will like to look at this subject from a realistic and pragmatic point of view. May I continue in this group. Maybe some of the goodness will rub out on me.
Thank you
Brigadier S sivaraman
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How many of those who have written above, have really experienced or reached any level, to talk about it. iF a person has experienced samadhi he cannot really express the experience, it is beyond words. He wont find words to express his experience. Intellectual analysis really do not convey anything.
I GO WITH IYER….KANDAVAR MEENDILAR MEENDAVAR KANDILAR..TAMIL SAYING..IE. THOSE WHO HAVE REACHED ULTIMATE LEVEL CANNOT EXPLAIN THEIR EXPERIENCES AND STATE OF MIND….WE CAN UNDERSTAND TO OUR LEVEL FROM THE SAYING OF AVATARS….
Thanks for making us understanding the life the smdhi mhsmdhi but let u tell us r u hvng Todd or cure of siflee and voddo spell ? or tell her to go for shutkaara! plz post in blog nd sv alot of people bcz BLK mgk is not curable ! I m b wrng
If I can not narrate the experience ,if I cannot Express what I have gone through, while being in Samadhi and if I cannot communicate to others the advantage of Samadhi and mahasamadhi what good is this for.
If I cannot change the life of others if I cannot help others achieve something what good is all this for if somebody could explain me this.
Somebody rightly asked in the above comments if we cannot bring Paradise to earth to our planet what good is all this for.
I will be obliged if somebody could explain me or could impact my thought process I will be obliged thanks regards Rajniish
Samadhi has been explained in many religious books, experience of great saints but what I have realised by practising and fixing your heart, without carried away by your mind or feeling. Fixing yourself as in god, looking the things which is happening around you or anything you want to know about, but definately absolutely alloof of the happenings, at that time a person is in a state of third person observing the happenings is a state of Dhyan, and absolutely in a state of निर्विकार भाव of his own मन ( जीव and आत्मा ) together is a condition of Samadhi. It can happen at any place even in a croweded place.
I can say such things by my own experience. I don’t know others may agree it or not but by this process i have experienced it. Suggestions are welcome.
Maha Samadi is a True Wisdom. The soul Leaves the body and ditached from this material world to higher concentration.
Samadhi is an effort of self-control to maintain a balance between internal and external human factors, resulting in harmony in keeping the human relationship with God, man’s relation to man and man’s relationship with the environment. All three are necessary in the relationship is back by how to speak a good word, correct thinking and actions are always put the good of the hope of creating peace, tranquility and harmony. Come on … from now
Can these states be proved scientifically.
Kindly explain.
thanks
Vedas are practical and divine at the same time! The divine instruction of Gita is not the property of armchair speculators. It is spoken for the instruction of all people – high or low. order to achieve the highest state of perfection while in this life. Jeeva samadhi is indeed possible In it is not necessary to practice impossible gymnastic feats or completely stop the mind (which is impossible even for those who claim to have done it!)
the Vedas describe the divine realization of many great souls. Some of these never practiced any form of physical or mental gynastics. For example the story of Maharaj Ranti, who appeared in the dynasty of Emperor Bharat is an entirely practical description of achieving perfection in the course of daily life:
Maharaj Rantideva never endeavored to earn anything. He would enjoy whatever he got by the arrangement of providence, but when guests came he would give them everything. Thus he underwent considerable suffering, along with the members of his family. Indeed, he and his family members shivered for want of food and water, yet Rantideva always remained sober.
Once, after fasting for forty-eight days, in the morning Rantideva received some water and some foodstuffs made with milk and ghee, but when he and his family were about to eat, a brāhmaṇa guest arrived. Because Rantideva perceived the presence of the Supreme Godhead everywhere, and in every living entity, he received the guest with faith and respect and gave him a share of the food. The brāhmaṇa guest ate his share and then went away.
Thereafter, having divided the remaining food with his relatives, Rantideva was just about to eat his own share when a śūdra guest arrived. Seeing the śūdra in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, King Rantideva gave him also a share of the food. When the śūdra went away, another guest arrived, surrounded by dogs, and said, “O King, I and my company of dogs are very hungry. Please give us something to eat.” With great respect, King Rantideva offered the balance of the food to the dogs and the master of the dogs, who had come as guests. The King offered them all respects and obeisances.
Thereafter, only the drinking water remained, and there was only enough to satisfy one person, but when the King was just about to drink it, a caṇḍāla appeared and said, “O King, although I am lowborn, kindly give me some drinking water.” Aggrieved at hearing the pitiable words of the poor fatigued caṇḍāla, Mahārāja Rantideva spoke the following nectarean words. I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. I want only to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering. By offering my water to maintain the life of this poor caṇḍāla, who is struggling to live, I have been freed from all hunger, thirst, fatigue, trembling of the body, moroseness, distress, lamentation and illusion.” Having spoken thus, King Rantideva, although on the verge of death because of thirst, gave his own portion of water to the caṇḍāla without hesitation, for the King was naturally very kind and sober.
Demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, who can satisfy all materially ambitious men by giving them the rewards they desire, then manifested their own identities before King Rantideva, for it was they who had presented themselves as the brāhmaṇa, śūdra, caṇḍāla and so on. King Rantideva had no ambition to enjoy material benefits from the demigods. He offered them obeisances, but because he was factually attached to Lord Viṣṇu, Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he fixed his mind at Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet…. Because King Rantideva was a pure devotee, always [fixing his mind on Vishnu] and free from all material desires, the Lord’s illusory energy, māyā, could not exhibit herself before him. On the contrary, for him māyā entirely vanished, exactly like a dream.
Samadhi as explained above, is a combination of two words Sama + dhi. The word sama can have different meanings. Keeping one’s own mind in a fixed position without changes is samadhi. Viewing all others as equal living or not, even happiness and sorrow as equal, is also sama dhi (Bhagawad Gita).
2. The religious practices of the Hindus are never intended to bring paradise to oneself or to others. Not at all for material benefits. Of course, some get them during the process as a bye-product, that is all. The Hindus’ practices are intended to make one’s own mind happier in his own circumstances, not at all to change the circumstances outside. By practising meditation one can try to make the mind less tense and restless. The less the tension, the happier the mind. When the mind is completely free from tension one is really happy. At that time one would not desire for paradise or palaces, for, bodily comforts and luxuries would not make one happier. It is logically analysed that it is one’s own mind that creates happiness or otherwise. Persons in the same situation would have different degrees of happiness or grief. Hence it is not the situation or circumstance that creates happiness or otherwise. It is the mind. And samadhi (there are various kinds of it) is one of the instruments to make the mind unwavering and tensionless.
to understand samadhi And meditation are not a small thing in life or in world. even the people are not able to believe such kind of things. . the people don’t even have time to read or pay some time to understand chapter of shri Bhagwat gita .. if person read only one chapter from this holy book and try to understand this will be much enough for his /her whole life to work And for peace of mind And happiness of life but we don’t have time to read even single chapter in whole life now you tell me in such kind of world is it possible to understand samadhi or about meditation so if you get time from your routine work.. please give one minute for OM mantra this is from my side.Om shri Narayana
great post. wish references of the authority or the scriptures were given in the article so that authencity of the interpretations and explanations would be clear.
very good
Thank you. Well explained
Great article. Small confusion though – does it say that Mahasamadhi is the only way to attain Moksha ? Also it states that “Samadhis by themselves have no great significance in terms of realization” ??? I thought in Samadhi you happen to realize your spirit in full. i.e. I mean you traverse within your Sukshma Shareer as well as Karan Shareer and attain the Soul and enjoy its various attributes qualities making oneness with the Param Tatva Paramatma the Supreme Nature. How come there is no great significance on realization in Samadhi ? Please explain. Om Namo Narayanay, Neeraj, London
Father has no ears, but hears.
Father has no mouth, but speaks.
Father has no tongue, but tastes fruits, etc.
Father has no eyes, but sees.
Father has no hands, but works
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I am not waiting for a call from anyone. I am only waiting for God’s call.
Samadhi – is the higher level of meditation, where the yogi don’t feel the panchendriyas, but the yogi have the inner-conscious with stable state without feeling anything, it’s difficult to explain unless one realise it. In this stage no time and no sensations, it will lasts from hours to days.
Jeeva samadhi – as describted by others buried with body, but not seperated or leaving the body. This can be performed by yogis to override the fate/death or get rid of the karmas to aviod the incarnations.
Mahasamadhi – The end of the yogic practice to attain the stage of the no birth and no death stage, binding with the paramatma, but which may or may not be the moksha. Depends on the yogis will it will be moksha else becoming as prakrutiyalu(ruler of part of the universe).
Exelieant
The mind thru meditation goes in complete rest. All the impurities that one has acquired thru lifetimes are released automatically, and one becomes pure and in unity consiousness. There is no duality left. A person cannot become god, but all the godly or miraculous powers come to him.
This is secret of secrets. Since the mind is in perfect state, the body automatically becomes perfect, I.e there is no death. One can live hundreds of years.
Rest of the discussion is irrelevant.
Excellent!!! Well defined the difference between samadhi and mahasamadhi. But still I am not convinced. What of ashtama siddhies attained by several saints? They have not stopped with that. Some have travelled by air (not flights of today) to other countries and learned and taught to many and had disciples and came back to this karma bhoomi, India and built several temples based on agama shastras like Bhogar/ pahiyaan. Think of Sadasivam Brahmendral who has attained state of nirvana. Think of Ragavendra Swamigal who has attained jiva samadhi. Perhaps lot more to be understood. Our ancestors were great and left a great knowledge that hasn’t been pursued by us properly. Truth will reveal itself to the one who constantly seeks. May God bless us.
Sir,
In the word “Sankalpa and Vikalpa”.
There is a state of Nir-Vikalpa (samadhi) which is said to be heighest state.
But why not there Nir-Sankalpa.
I want to know why ‘NIR’ added to Vikalpa, but why not added to Sankalpa. Please explain.
Sorry to see that the derivation of समाधि is wrong. It is shown as सम (equanimous)+धीः (intellect). Indeed, it should have been, सम्+आ+धा (<–धि)= equanimity is acquired after controlling the inner sense – mind = samaadhi.
Most of the observation recorded are only intellectual prognosis of what has been heard or read. These create a barrier in a seeker due to assumptions and presumptions. The true yardstick can never be based on experiential incidence because it becomes an objective phenomenon . Samadhi is totally subjective in reality
Om Shanti, Paramatma Swaruupe’ Pranam!- Salutations to diverse manifestations of one Reality, Supreme Consciousness-The Almighty- Brahman! I am a simple yoga practitioner, hale and hearty at seventy. I share my practical experience in all sincerity. Due to unusual intertwining of Bhakti (devotion) and jnana (spiritual knowledge) discourses along with yogasana-s by my Yogacharya, I got interested in tatvajnana seriously, tanscended likes and dislikes about tastes, flavours, fragrances, comforts, became truly desireless, (though I am head of the well to do family, I don’t know what is served in my bowl till I open my eyes for food intake). My sadhana is, 1) when amidst the worldly ineractions, to be confined to ‘sakshibuta’ (witness roll in both odds of pleasures and pains), and 2) when in absolute solitude, just feeling formless, nameless un manifest Consciousness. Lo, what a beautiful state I came to! It’s blissful, bubbling even in adverse worldly matters. Till now, I didn’t have real meditation experience. I am boldly declaring to my colleagues that, ‘ My full conviction and understanding about my Deathlessness is the root cause for the present blissful state! Do I need any sort of meditation any more? That too if that meditation does not help serving mankind by extra measure in any way!
Samadhi is the state, where one continue to remain in the state of Self. This state of Self can only be experience when you realize your Soul.
Thank you for everyone’s input – Maha Samadhi it seems to me is the ultimate goal-whose time has come- for all to embrace now (dreamer that I am) it seems that if it has been accomplished by others that there is this Consciousness in the ethers that exist for all to tap into – how does the Ashtavakra-Samhita play into this? -is there a Maha Samadhi foundation? thank you