Chapter-3, Sutra 07

Patanjali Yogasutra 3.7

त्रयमन्तरङ्गं पूर्वेभ्यः ॥ ३.७ ॥

"These three (practices of samyama) are more internal than the previous ones."

In this Sutra, Patanjali refers to the last three components of Ashtanga Yoga - Dharana 

(concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption) — and states that they are more "internal" (antaranga) compared to the preceding five limbs 

(yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara). The phrase "more internal" suggests that these three limbs involve a deeper level of engagement with the mind, transcending the physical and sensory practices of the earlier limbs. In Dharana, the practitioner learns to focus the mind on a single point, preparing the ground for meditation. In Dhyana, that focus deepens into a sustained and effortless flow of concentration. Finally, in Samadhi, the practitioner becomes completely absorbed in the object of meditation, experiencing a dissolution of the subject-object duality.

The phrase "previous ones" refers to the first five limbs of yoga, which include ethical disciplines (yama and niyama), physical postures 

(asana), breath control 

(pranayama), and withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara). These practices, while essential, are considered more "external" 

(bahiranga) because they deal with external aspects of life—actions, physical control, and sensory inputs. On the other hand, Dharana, Dhyana, and 

Samadhi are concerned with mastering the mind and Consciousness, signifying a move inward towards the inner workings of the Self and Consciousness.

Patanjali's distinction between external and internal practices in yoga emphasizes the progressive journey of the yogi. While the external practices lay the foundation for a stable and healthy life, it is the internal practices that lead to true Self-Realization. This Sutra also highlights that while the earlier limbs are preparatory, the last three limbs are integrative, merging the mind into deeper states of awareness and leading ultimately to Realization 

(kaivalya). The transition from external control to internal mastery is essential for reaching Higher States of Consciousness in Patanjali’s yoga system.

Swami Vivekanand said:

"Before these we had the Pranayama, the Asana, the Yama and Niyama; these are external parts of these three — Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Yet these latter even are external to the seedless Samadhi. When a man has attained to them he may attain to omniscience and omnipresence, but that would not be salvation. These three would not make the mind Nirvikalpa, changeless, but would leave the seeds for getting bodies again; only when the seeds are, as the Yogi says, "fried," do they lose the possibility of producing further plants. These powers cannot fry the seed."

Contextual Comparison with Vedic Texts:

Katha Upanishad 1.3.10

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।

मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥

"The senses are superior to the body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and that which is beyond the intellect is the Self."

This verse from the Katha Upanishad presents a hierarchy of internality, echoing Patanjali's distinction between external and internal practices. Just as Patanjali views Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi as progressively inward, the Upanishad portrays a journey inward from the senses to the mind, intellect, and ultimately to the Self. Both teachings emphasize the importance of internal focus in the pursuit of Higher Knowledge and Realization.

Bhagavad Gita 6.5

उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।

आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥

"One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, not degrade oneself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and its enemy as well."

The Gita speaks of mastering the mind, aligning closely with Patanjali’s emphasis on the internal limbs of yoga (Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi) that involve mastery over the mind. 

The verse from the Gita emphasizes self-reliance and the role of the mind in liberation or bondage, reinforcing the idea that the last three limbs of yoga focus on internal mastery to attain freedom.

Yoga Vashishta 5.78.24

मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः।

बन्धाय विषयासक्तं मुक्त्यै निर्विषयं स्मृतम्॥

"The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for human beings. Attached to objects, it leads to bondage; devoid of objects, it leads to liberation."

This verse from the Yoga Vashishta complements Patanjali’s teaching by explaining the nature of the mind in relation to liberation. The internal practices (Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi) aim to detach the mind from external objects, which is essential for achieving liberation, as discussed in the Yoga Vashishta. Both teachings emphasize the transformative power of mastering the mind through internal practices.