तत्र शब्दार्थज्ञानविकल्पैः संकीर्णा सवितर्का समापत्तिः ॥४२॥
पदविभाग: तत्र, शब्द-अर्थ-ज्ञान-विकल्पैः, संकीर्णा, सवितर्का, समापत्तिः।
अन्वय: तत्र शब्दार्थज्ञानविकल्पैः संकीर्णा (या) समापत्तिः (सा) सवितर्का (कथ्यते)।
प्रतिपदार्थ: तत्र = there / in that state (referring to the absorption mentioned in 1.41), शब्द = the word / sound (the name of the object), अर्थ = the meaning / the actual physical object, ज्ञान = the knowledge / the mental perception or idea, विकल्पैः = by the alternating conceptualization / due to the mixture, संकीर्णा = commingled / mixed up / confused together, सवितर्का = with deliberation / accompanied by gross thought (स = with, वितर्क = deliberation), समापत्तिः = absorption / cognitive coalescence.
तात्पर्यम्: In that state, the absorption where the sound, meaning and resulting knowledge is commingled is called Savitarka Samapatti (absorption with deliberation).
Further context on the 42nd Sutra from Patanjali’s Yogasutras
In this deeper context, शब्द (word/sound) does not just mean a spoken linguistic label; it refers to vibration. Everything in the physical, gross universe has a vibratory signature.
Because the mind is engaging with this gross vibration, it wants to analyze it. Savitarka translates to “with deliberation” or “with reasoning.” In this state, the intellect (Buddhi) is still highly active. The mind is profoundly focused on the object, but it is still actively thinking about the object, categorizing it, and understanding its properties.
Because reasoning and analysis are still happening, the fundamental duality of existence is retained. There is still a clear, defined boundary between the subject (the yogi who is observing) and the object (the vibration being observed).
The Samadhi so far in Yogasutras happens in the following progression:
- First, the external vibration (Śabda) strikes the senses and pushes our attention inward.
- The mind then internalizes this vibration to extract its core meaning or substance (Artha).
- The mind forms a reactionary wave in the Chitta i.e.; Knowledge
A mix of all the three leads to a state of Samadhi that is arrived at with reason.
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