ता एव सबीजः समाधिः॥४६॥
पदविभाग: ताः, एव, स-बीजः, समाधिः।
अन्वय: ताः एव सबीजः समाधिः (भवन्ति)।
प्रतिपदार्थ: ताः = those (referring to the four stages of absorption just described: Savitarka, Nirvitarka, Savichara, Nirvichara), एव = exactly / only / these themselves, स-बीजः = with seed (स = with, बीज = seed), समाधिः = (are) Samadhi / deep meditative absorption.
तात्पर्यम्: Those (four stages of absorption) themselves constitute Sabija Samadhi (Samadhi with seed).
Further context on the 46th Sutra from Patanjali’s Yogasutras
The four stages of absorption are as follows:
- Savitarka: Gross object + internal narration/logic.
- Nirvitarka: Gross object only (pure reflection).
- Savichara: Subtle object + internal reflection/inquiry.
- Nirvichara: Subtle object only (pure reflection).
The latent impressions within us will rise again whenever it’s time comes but what has changed now, in a yogi, is the control they have gained over observing their mind. Sabija Samadhi is when the yogi has mastered the entire prakrittic universe and the mind is able to get into the state of stillness but yet the latent impressions still remain.
However, because there is still an object (a seed), there is still a subtle duality: the Seer and the Seen. And because there are still latent impressions (seeds) being planted in the subconscious, the mind is still capable of returning to the previous distracted consciousness. This state cannot destroy the seeds of past actions and hence cannot lead to liberation. What it brings to the practicing Yogi is mentioned in the next aphorism.
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