Savikalpa

Savikalpa

सविकल्प, savikalpa

Samadhi, in which vikalpas (Sanskrit विकल्प) are present. It means various subtle fluctuations and movements of the mind, awareness, seeds of ideas.This is a trance state that is subject to time and change. Sadhaka discovers that the sense of duality is not opposed to unity and is aware of himself in various forms, but the practitioner has not yet achieved complete unity with Absolute.

Savikalpa-samadhi is the process of reflecting Deity in the sadhaka and vice versa. This is due to the sincere veneration of the Supreme in murti or yantra.

Among the Nathas, as well as in Tantra, it is believed that savikalpa-samadhi arises at the level of conscious stay in sushupti and deepens at the level of turya. Turyatita is already correlated with nirvikalpa-samadhi. Some, however, can relate the state of turya to nirvikalpa-samadhi.

Also, the state of savikalpa-samadhi corresponds to the category of sabija- or samprajnata-samadhi, which Patanjali described in his "Yoga Sutras".

Most practicing yogis agree that although the various divisions of samadhi are described in the texts, it is difficult to say anything for sure about the levels of samadhi, since these states are beyond duality and language is not able to reflect them in their entirety. A disciple discovers the state of samadhi by Guru’s grace and through sincere dedication on his spiritual path. In "Gheranda-samhita" it is said:

समामिश्च परो योगो बहभाग्येन लभ्यते।
गुरोः कृ पाप्रसादेन प्राप्यतेगुरुभस्तितः ॥ १॥

samādhiśca paro yogo bahubhāgyena labhyate ।
guroḥ kṛpāprasādena prāpyate gurubhaktitaḥ ॥ 1॥

Samadhi is the highest yoga, [which] is achieved thanks to a very good destiny (beneficent merits of past lives). [Yogin,] a devotee of Guru, obtains [samadhi] by Guru’s grace and blessing. (1)

मिद्याप्रतीमतः स्वगुरुप्रतीमतरात्मप्रतीमतममनसः प्रबोिः ।
मदनेमदनेयस्य भिेत्स योगी सुशोभनाभ्यासमुपैमत सद्यः ॥ २॥

vidyāpratītiḥ svagurupratītirātmapratītirmanasaḥ prabodhaḥ ।
dine dine yasya bhavetsa yogī suśobhanābhyāsamupaiti sadyaḥ ॥ 2॥

That yogin soon reaches this magnificent state, who understands the teaching (believes in the knowledge received from his teacher), follows his Guru, believes in Atman and awakens his mind day after day. (2)