Asamprajnata samadhi (Hinduism, Yoga)

Existence is transcended in this, the highest superconscious state, in which the subject is not conscious of the object of concentration, and both mind and ego-sense appear to be dissolved. In contrast with [samprajnata samadhi]

, the [klesa]

(afflictions) and [vasana]

(desires) are overcome and extinguished, there is not even a seed of thought left - [nirbija samadhi]

. Although in a sense comparable with deep sleep, the two are in fact opposites, the one being dominated by [tamas]

, the [guna]

of inertia, while in the other tamas is obliterated. Possibly equated with the vedanta [nirvikalpa samadhi]

, this is the state of [turiya]

, pure being; although it has also, paradoxically, also been called waking sleep, as there is awakening to [self-awareness]

.