Samādhi (Limb 8)
Part 3 of the Three Part saṃyama
The third of the limbs discussed in Book III of the Yoga Sūtra—the 8th of the 8 limbs—is samādhi—summation, conclusion. It is the third of the three limbs described in Book III as what one does ‘with yama‘ — saṃyama. These last three limbs are sometimes presented as something one does cross legged, with eyes closed. But the actual description of these three limbs together depict them as the activity of power building and research that allow a yogi to be prosperous.
tatra pratyayaika-tānatā dhyānam
tat = that, its, these
eva = in this manner only, exactly so
artha= meaning, purpose, end, goal, object
mātra = measure, size, the one thing and no more
nirbhāsaṃ = shining
sva = own
rūpa = form
śūnyam = empty, nothing, zero
iva = like, in the same manner, as it were, in a certain manner
samādhiḥ = conclusion
Samādhi, or conclusion, has the purpose of revealing the implications of the meaning inspected, and nothing more.
(YS III.3)
Translation by Dr. Shyam Ranganathan. All Rights Reserved.
Book III where these three limbs are discussed is often depicted as one of the most confusing portions of the Yoga Sūtra. This has more to do with the assumptions people bring to the topic than the topic itself. If you wish to delve deeply into these three limbs, the practice of power and knowledge building, and the creation of prosperity, join Yoga Philosophy, Level 1, 100 Hour Certification Training.
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Previous Limb: Dhyāna