त्रयमन्तरङ्गं पूर्वेभ्यः॥७॥
trayam = three; antar = internal; angaM = limbs; pUrvebhyaH = than the previous ones;
Sw. Satchidananda
"hese three [dharana, dhyana and Samadhi] are more internal than the preceding five limbs."
Bryant
"These three [dharana, dhyana, and samadhi] are internal limbs compared to the previous limbs [of yoga]."
Taimni
"The three are internal in relation to the preceding ones."
The commentators don’t have much to say about this sutra. Vyasa states that compared to the first five limbs (yama etc.), the three – dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, jointly labeled as “samyama”, lead the practitioner to the state of “samprajnata samadhi” (samadhi with deep awareness of the object of meditation). That is why they are mentioned as more internal or intimate compared to the previous five. It must be emphasized that the first five limbs are essential to prepare the body and the mind to dive deep into meditation. Of course, there are rare exceptions when someone who is born as spiritually elevated due to past karmas, can attain liberation just by following the practice of deep meditation. Some of the names that come to mind from recent history are Ramana Maharshi and Paramahansa Ramakrishna.
In the Bhagavad Gita also (6.40-44), Lord Krishna states that those yogis who, with sincere devotion lead a deeply spiritual life, are unable to reach liberation in this life will be reborn into pious families where they will continue their journey and attain liberation quickly.
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