Samyama - Internal Limbs of Yoga YS III - 7

Yoga Sutra III - 7 -TRAYAM ANTARANGAM PURVEBHYAH - These three [dharana, dhyana and samadhi] are more internal that the preceding five limbs.


Swami Satchidananda tell us "In Ashtanga Yoga, dharana, dhyana and samadhi are the more antaranga, or inner practices. Even to practice yama and niyama, you need the outside world. How will you practice non-injury if there is nothing outside to injure? How to deal with the outside world is taught through yama and niyama. Even your body is an outside world for you, so in asana you do something with your body; in pranayama you do something with your prana; in pratyahara you do so mething with your senses. But dharana, dhyana and samadhi are totally inward. They are on the mental level. That is what Patanjali means by saying these three are more inner than the preceding five."

From "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood we are told that the first five limbs of yoga are only a training ground for the aspirant in preparation of samyama (concentration, meditation and absorption). "The mind and senses have to be purified by the cultivation of ethical virtues and the whole organism has to be strenghtened in order that it may be able to undergo the tremendous experiences that await it. " We are further informed that this is just the beginning and even in samyama perfection is just the beginning. "For whenever we are inclined to feel proud of some tiny indication of spiritual growth in ourselves, we shall do well to remember Brahmananda's amazing and sobering words : 'Spiritual life begins after samadhi.' "

See related posts:

• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
• Yama - Abstinence YS II - 30
• Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32
• Asana - Posture YS II - 46
• Pranayama - Breath Control YS II - 49
• Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the Senses YS II - 54
• Dharana - Concentration YS III - 1
• Dhyana - Meditation YS III - 2
• Samadhi - Contemplation YS III - 3
• Samyama - Last Three Limbs of Yoga YS III - 4