Realization of Brahman, God-realization and Self-realization are synonymous terms. It is the culmination of spiritual sadhana. It is the ultimate goal of human life.
"Brahman (Divine consciousness, true Self) can be clearly and definitely realised only through Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Samadhi ensues only when the purified mind is merged in Brahman."
"You will never be able to go into Samadhi although you can sit in the Padma or Siddha Asana for six hours at a stretch, if you are not free from attraction and repulsion, anger, egoism and pride."
"The force of impressions (samskaras and vasanas) is tremendous. Unless all the impressions are thoroughly burnt through entry into the state of the pure Nirvikalpa Samadhi, it is not safe for one to stay a long time in one’s native place. He will still be in the danger zone.
~ Swami Sivananda
342. Even wise men cannot suddenly destroy egoism after it has once become strong, barring those who are perfectly calm through the Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Desires are verily the effect of innumerable births.
362. When the mind, thus purified by constant practice, is merged in Brahman, then Samadhi passes on from the Savikalpa to the Nirvikalpa stage, and leads directly to the realisation of the Bliss of Brahman, the One without a second.
363. By this Samadhi are destroyed all desires which are like knots, all work is at an end, and inside and out there takes place everywhere and always the spontaneous manifestation of one’s real nature (Atman, Brahman , consciousness).
364. Reflection should be considered a hundred times superior to hearing, and meditation a hundred thousand times superior even to reflection, but the Nirvikalpa Samadhi is infinite in its results.
365. By the Nirvikalpa Samadhi the truth of Brahman is clearly and definitely realised, but not otherwise, for then the mind, being unstable by nature, is apt to be mixed up with other perceptions.
~Adisankaracharya's Vivekachudamani
When
Brahman is realised by means of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, then the heart’s
knot viz., Avidya (ignorance), Kama (desire) and Karma (action), is
destroyed.
“A student who treads the path of Truth must, therefore, first equip himself with Sadhana Chatushtaya - the "four means of salvation". They are 1. discrimination, 2. dispassion, 3. the sixfold qualities of perfection, and 4. intense longing for liberation, (Viveka, Vairagya, Shad-Sampat and Mumukshutva).
Then alone will he be able to march forward fearlessly on the path. Not an iota of spiritual progress is possible unless one is endowed with these four qualifications.”
~ Swami Sivananda
“A student who treads the path of Truth must, therefore, first equip himself with Sadhana Chatushtaya - the "four means of salvation". They are 1. discrimination, 2. dispassion, 3. the sixfold qualities of perfection, and 4. intense longing for liberation, (Viveka, Vairagya, Shad-Sampat and Mumukshutva).
Then alone will he be able to march forward fearlessly on the path. Not an iota of spiritual progress is possible unless one is endowed with these four qualifications.”
~ Swami Sivananda