Define Asamprajnat Samadhi.

Asamprajnata Samadhi, also known as Nirvikalpa Samadhi or the state of formless meditation, is a profound concept in yogic and philosophical traditions, particularly within the framework of classical Yoga as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It represents the highest state of meditative absorption characterized by the absence of cognitive content and dualistic experiences.

Key Aspects of Asamprajnata Samadhi:

1. Transcendence of Thought: In Asamprajnata Samadhi, the practitioner moves beyond the realm of thought and conceptualization. The mind becomes completely still, free from the fluctuations of ordinary cognitive processes.

2. Absence of Object and Subject: Unlike Samprajnata Samadhi, which involves meditation on a specific object, Asamprajnata Samadhi is formless and objectless. There is no distinction between the meditator, the act of meditation, and the object of meditation; all dualities dissolve.

3. Union with Cosmic Consciousness: The practitioner experiences a profound union with the universal or cosmic consciousness. The individual self merges with the transcendent reality, realizing the underlying unity of all existence.

4. Beyond Words and Descriptions: Asamprajnata Samadhi is often described as ineffable and beyond linguistic expression. Words and concepts are inadequate to capture the sublime experience of oneness and transcendence.

5. Culmination of Yogic Path: It is considered the culmination of the yogic path, representing the highest state of realization and liberation (kaivalya). The practitioner achieves profound self-awareness and breaks free from the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth and death).

Asamprajnata Samadhi is a state of deep contemplation and absorption, marked by the transcendence of individual identity and the direct experience of the ultimate reality. It is a pinnacle of meditative achievement in the yogic tradition.