Write a short note on Samadhi in Yoga philosophy.

Samadhi, a pivotal concept in Yoga philosophy, refers to a state of profound concentration and meditative absorption leading to spiritual realization and union with the divine. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in classical Yoga, outlines the stages of Samadhi as the ultimate goal of yogic practice.

Samadhi is the eighth and final limb of Ashtanga Yoga, following Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation). It involves a complete merging of the individual self (Atman) with the universal consciousness or divine reality (Brahman).

Patanjali describes different types of Samadhi, with the highest being Nirvikalpa Samadhi, characterized by a state of non-dual awareness where the distinction between the meditator and the object of meditation dissolves. In this state, the yogi experiences an unparalleled sense of bliss, tranquility, and oneness.

Samadhi is not merely a transient altered state of consciousness; it is a transformative experience that leads to self-realization and liberation (Moksha). Practitioners cultivate Samadhi through disciplined practice, mindfulness, and a gradual purification of the mind and senses.

Ultimately, Samadhi represents the culmination of the yogic journey, where the seeker attains a state of supreme awareness, transcending the limitations of the ego, and realizing the timeless unity of the self with the divine.