6 Types of Samadhi

The highest fruit that is to be attained in this human birth is liberation. According to the great masters of our holy land, this liberation can be verily had here in this world. The state where one is liberated even when the body continues to exist is called jeevanmukthi. A jeevanmuktha is said to be in a state called sahaja samadhi. It is a state of uninterrupted awareness of the soul as the self- absolute.

How is this state reached?  Sri Shankara bhagavathpada in his work called the Drik-Drishya vivekam describes six types of samadhis, here, meditational techniques, which finally lead to the sahaja state.

Upekshya naamaroope dve sacchidaanandatatpara:    |

Samaadhim sarvadaa kuryaath hrudaye athavaa bahi:  || ( drik drishya viveka-22)

One who is a seeker of truth must constantly practice these meditations both within and without by setting aside the various names and forms.

Savikalpo nirvikalpo samaadhi: dvividho hrudi   |

Drushya-shabdaanuvedena savikalpa: punardvidhaa||

The meditational practice done within is classified as savikalpa and nirvikalpa samaadhai. Further savikalpa is divided as drushyaanuvidhdha and shabdaanuvudhdha savikalpa samaadhi.

There are 3 types of meditation done within the heart . They are

1. aanthara drushyaanuvidhdha savikalpa samadhi – in this practice, the soul is meditated upon as pure consciousness merely as a witness to all the thoughts like desires etc arising in the mind.

2. aantara shabdaanuvidhdha savikalpa samadhi– in this , the soul is meditated upon as  unattached self-effulgent non-dual existence, knowledge and bliss ( sachchidananda)

3. aantara nirvikalpa samadhi– like a flame in a place free from wind, when there is total absorption in the self having ignored both objects and words, it is nirvikalpa samadhi within.

Similarly, three types of samadhi or meditational practice is also described to be practiced in the external world.

1. baahya drushyaanuvidhdha savikalpa samadhi – a practice where all the objects are viewed pushing aside their names and forms.

2. baahya sabdaanuvudhdha savikalpa samadhi – the external world is uninterruptedly contemplated  as undivided and single  essence in reality, of the nature of sat-chith- Ananda.

3. baahya nirvikalpa samadhi –  this is total stillness like the ocean, due to experience of bliss.

Engaging in practice of  these six types of samadhis, ie, meditational techniques gradually leads to the state of sahaja samadhi.

 

Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

Sri Swamiji’s Event Updates – August 2025

Sri Swamiji reached Madhurapuri Ashram on August 4th evening. On August 3rd, Sri Swamiji was in solitude. In the evening, He did Dolotsavam to Sri Premika Srinivasa Perumal. On August 2nd morning, Sri Swamiji participated in the pradhista dhinam celebration of Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar Nama Ashram at Govindapuram. Later, He did Pooja to Sri Premika Read more

Satsang at Mumbai by Dr Janani Vasudevanji

By the immense grace of Sri Swamiji, GOD Mumbai satsang was truly fortunate and blessed to listen to Dr. Jananiji’s soulful Leelanubhavam on the Madhurageetham “Bhagyame Bhagyam Nam”, set in the vibrant Natai Ragam. She beautifully brought out how deeply blessed we are in this very birth to be embraced by His boundless love and Read more

Puranava 2025 at Pune

By the immense grace of our Satgurunathar HH Sri Sri Maharanyam Muralidhara Swamiji, the second edition of Pune Puranava was held on Aug 2nd 2025 in the auditorium of S B Patil Public school in Ravet, Pune. The quiz masters being Dr Janani Vasudevan and Kum. Harshini Manikandan. A total of 115 teams from 22 Read more