Cognitive samādhi is accompanied by discursive thought, subtle reflection, bliss, and pure sense of existence.

Samprajñāta samādhi is the state of absorption where there is still an object of meditation and awareness of the subject-object distinction. It manifests in four progressive levels:

1. Vitarka — Discursive thought about gross objects
2. Vicāra — Subtle reflection on subtle objects
3. Ānanda — Bliss, joy of the sattvic mind
4. Asmitā — Pure sense of “I am”, refined individual consciousness

Each level is subtler than the previous one. As meditation deepens, the content becomes more refined until only the pure sense of existence remains.