Question
Difference between Samprajnata and Asamprajnata Samadhi?
Answer
In meditation there are two different states depending upon the consciousness of the yogi. That samadhi where the consciousness of the yogi retains his sense of I'ness, that is, his nature, personality, etc. remains is called as samprajnata samadhi. In it there remains analysis, deliberation, sense of the outer world, along with feeling of happiness. So the Patnatjali yoga sutra defines as thus:
vitarkavicārānandāsmitārūpānugamātsaṃprajñātaḥ [PYS - 1.17]
- Cognitive meditation is accompanied by reasoning, discrimination, bliss and the sense of 'I am.'
But other than it where the personal I'ness doesn't remain, that is, the individuality is lost and the mind is free of analysis, reflection, sense of the world, etc. is called as asamprajnata samadhi:
virāmapratyayābhyāsapūrvaḥ saṃskāraśeṣo'nyaḥ [PYS - 1.18]
- There is another meditation which is attained by the practice of alert mental suspension until only subtle impressions remain.
Controlling nature doesn't happen in samprajnata state, but in the advanced asamprajnata state when the yogi concentrates upon different objects the power of that object he gains. Also there are other siddhis obtained about which the Bibhuti Pada of the yoga sutras describe.
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