Samadhi is a Sanskrit word conjoined by 'sam' + 'a', prefixing root 'dha' and suffixing 'ki'. It is indicative of a state of being where the mind gets absorbed in absolute stillness. The widely acclaimed Hindi dictionary of Nalanda describes the word Samadhi as-' a state where the awareness and consciousness of a being become inert, leaving the body function-less.'
Yogrishi Patanali, in his eight-fold Yoga Sutra, has presented a model depicting a stage-wise evolution of human consciousness. Rendering detailed articulation of the same, it is said that the seeker of spiritual evolution passes through the stages of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana and dhyana before finally ascending to the state of Samadhi, which is the eighth and the topmost rung in the ladder of spiritual advancement.
Therefore, Samadhi is the superconscious state of being; where the difference between the micro-universe (individual) and the macro universe (cosmos) vanishes. The soul becomes the perfect manifestation of Brahman (supreme consciousness)- Iti abheden avasthanam Samadhi. As a result, the Sadhak(spiritual aspirant) revels in the state of eternal blish and experiences steady wisdom.
However, the Self-Realised souls, the Satgurus or Incarnations of God are themselves the embodiments of Sat-Chit-Ananda (truth-consciousness-bliss). They are the manifestation of the supreme. Therefore, when they attain the state of Samadhi, it is undeniably for a greater and a nobler purpose. Their objective in its wake benefits humankind as a whole and sets the tone for the dawn of a new era.
