Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.165

c16.165

**Stages of 'Samādhi'.** The *Samādhi* that is attained in the *ekāgra* condition of Chitta is attained by a series of graduated stages marked out as follows: (1) *Vitarka*, where contemplation has for its object a form "like the four-handed deity"; (2) *Vichāra*, where the subtle as the cause of the gross is contemplated; (3) *Ānanda*, where there is a sense of joy; and (4) *Asmitā*, where there remains a feeling of self-hood.