Transcending Boundaries: A Profound Exploration of Nirvikalpa Samadhi and the Essence of Ultimate Consciousness

Partho Ghosh
5 min readOct 13, 2023

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Nirvikalpa Samadhi has been expounded and elucidated via diverse interpretations by various religious institutions and spiritual traditions, each rooted in distinct lineages of sages and belief systems. This blog is intended for individuals who possess a spiritual inclination or engage in the pursuit of advanced spirituality with the potential to achieve supernatural abilities and enlightenment.

However, amongst the competitive pursuit of what is commonly referred to as the revered state of enlightenment, a select few among you are proceeding with caution along the journey to obtain the ultimate state of bliss: In this blog post, we present comprehensive information regarding the Nirvikalpa Samadhi and its associated aspects. Let us proceed directly to the topic at hand.

Ramana Maharshi defined samadhi as a state of heightened spiritual consciousness characterized by an uninterrupted and ongoing experience of existence, sustenance, and consciousness. The state of focused concentration can be broadly characterized by terms such as pure joy, calm, and ecstasy. This condition should not be misconstrued as a passive state like that of a mummy or fossil, as some individuals who are distant from matters of spirituality may believe. This refers to the perception of reality as a whole, characterized by a state of comprehensive cohesion and wholeness.

Yoga is characterized by the cessation of the gap between the viewer and the visible in the state of Samadhi. According to Vedic knowledge, the state of awareness being referred to is deemed ineffable, necessitating personal experience of samadhi in order to comprehend it. One distinguishing factor between sleep and yoga samadhi is the outcome experienced upon emerging from the latter state when the individual attains transcendental wisdom.

The Diverse Samadhis Followed

Both savikalpa and nirvikalpa samadhi are transient conditions, subsequent to which ordinary human consciousness is reinstated. In the realm of spiritual practice, it is widely acknowledged that enduring or permanent states of samadhi, such as sahaja or dharmamegha samadhi, are the ones that enable individuals to interact with the material world while being grounded in an elevated state of consciousness. Only a small number of people who have attained mastery in the field of spirituality can achieve these states of being because they are so advanced.

Nirvikalpa Samadhi represents a further stage in the attainment of the ultimate state of Samadhi. The samadhis are basically classified as,

  • Savikalpa Samadhi refers to a state of consciousness characterized by the transcendence of mental activity or the attainment of access to concentration.
  • Nirvikalpa Samadhi refers to an elevated level of consciousness characterized by the absence of any mental fluctuations, wherein only pure awareness persists.
  • The state of Dharmamega Samadhi entails the complete dissolution of the desire to comprehend and accept the divine.

There exists a scholarly discourse surrounding the notion of Sahaja Samadhi as the pinnacle of spiritual attainment, with certain proponents positing its placement in the intermediary space between Nirvikalpa and Dharmamega. The assertion remains unverified, as individuals or entities capable of providing substantiation have not yet attained the requisite degree of spiritual ascendancy.Swami Vivekananda, a practitioner who transcended the condition of Savikalpa Samadhi and attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi, articulated his encounter as a liberated physical body and mind disengaged from external engagements, resulting in the dissolution of his inner self and the acquisition of boundless wisdom.

Defining Nirvikalpa Samadhi

The term “Nirvikalpa Samadhi” refers to a state of deep meditative absorption in which the practitioner experiences a complete cessation of mental activity and a profound sense of oneness with the object of meditation.

Nirvikalpa samadhi is the subsequent phase of samadhi, denoting a state of profound concentration and happiness achieved via meditation. According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samadhi is the culminating stage of the yogic journey, serving as the eighth and ultimate step.

The term in question originates from many Sanskrit roots, namely sam, which conveys the notions of “together” or “completely,” a, which signifies “toward,” and she, denoting “put.”

The translations of the term in question exhibit variation, with meanings encompassing concepts such as “bliss,” “liberation,” and “enlightenment.” The term “Nirvikalpa” can be derived from the Sanskrit language, where it signifies the absence of wavering. This linguistic translation emphasizes the characteristics of this particular state of samadhi, which are characterized by their enduring and unwavering nature.

The attainment of Nirvikalpa Samadhi is limited to practitioners who have reached an advanced level of proficiency, having successfully traversed preceding levels such as Dharana, which involves focused attention, and Dhyana, which entails sustained meditation.

It has been observed that individuals who have attained spiritual mastery may sustain this condition for extended periods of time, ranging from hours to days. It is widely held that prolonged immersion in nirvikalpa samadhi, lasting between 18 and 21 days, facilitates the attainment of elevated stages of samadhi, wherein consciousness potentially transcends the confines of the physical body on a permanent basis.

The Concept Of Nirvikalpa Samadhi

The concept of Samadhi bears resemblance to the notion of Divine Consciousness as expounded in the Shankara Tradition. It denotes a profound state of affection for the world and its constituents, wherein one acknowledges the presence of Divinity in all aspects of existence. The object is transitioning towards a celestial domain. Ritambhara Pragya is an experiential state in which an individual’s thoughts undergo spontaneous manifestation into tangible reality.

The concept of time encompasses the integration of the past and future, resulting in a perpetual state of the present. The current state of affairs is characterized by a sense of immediacy and contemporaneity. All necessary components are present within this context. The concepts of time and space have been surpassed. The feeling of exalted happiness may endure for a varying duration, ranging from a few hours to many days.

Nirvikalpa samadhi is widely acknowledged within the realm of consciousness studies as a profoundly elevated condition, occupying the second stage of samadhi. In the religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, the state of samadhi holds a significant position as the highest form of spiritual and intellectual engagement.

Moreover, it is considered a necessary prerequisite for achieving moksha, which denotes liberation from the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. Within the context of yoga, Samadhi is widely regarded as the ultimate stage of Patanjali’s comprehensive eightfold path. It is a profound state wherein the consciousness of the individual merges harmoniously with the universal consciousness.

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Partho Ghosh

I am a Freelance Copy and Content Writer. I Write Copy to Help You Deliver Message to Your Clients. I write, fresh and eye-catching content. eastsidewriters.com