Savitarka and Nirvitarka Samadhi — Gross and Refined Absorption
Patanjali describes a ladder of increasingly refined samadhi states, from Savitarka (absorption with thought and object) to Nirvitarka (absorption without conceptual activity), mapping the progressive stilling of the mind.
In sutras 1.42-1.47, Patanjali maps four levels of samprajnata (cognitive) samadhi based on the coarseness or subtlety of the object of absorption: Savitarka (with analysis — the mind examines the object from many angles), Nirvitarka (without analysis — the mind rests in the object without analytical distinction), Savichara (with subtle reflection — working with subtle objects like the senses, mind, or ego), and Nirvichara (without subtle reflection — the mind rests in subtle reality without reflection). These four represent a progression from gross to increasingly subtle meditation objects, each level corresponding to a deeper quieting of conceptual mind activity. Beyond all four lies Asamprajnata samadhi — the seedless, objectless absorption that represents the threshold of liberation.
When the memory is purified and the mind appears to be devoid of its own nature, then in the nirvitarka state only the object itself shines.
Neurologist James Austin's Zen and the Brain identifies neural correlates for Patanjali's samadhi spectrum that align with contemporary contemplative neuroscience research on different types of meditative absorption states.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali