Question:
Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
The Yoga system is divided into two principal parts, Hatha and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals principally with the physiological part of man with a view to establish his health and train his will. The processes prescribed to arrive at this end are so difficult that only a few resolute souls go through all the stages of its practice. Many have failed and some have died in the attempt. It is therefore strongly denounced by all the philosophers. The most illustrious Shankaracharya has remarked in his treatise called Aparokshanubhuti that 'the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted.'
Which one of the following, if true, most substantially strengthens the idea given in the passage?
Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
The Yoga system is divided into two principal parts, Hatha and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals principally with the physiological part of man with a view to establish his health and train his will. The processes prescribed to arrive at this end are so difficult that only a few resolute souls go through all the stages of its practice. Many have failed and some have died in the attempt. It is therefore strongly denounced by all the philosophers. The most illustrious Shankaracharya has remarked in his treatise called Aparokshanubhuti that 'the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted.'
Which one of the following, if true, most substantially strengthens the idea given in the passage?
The Yoga system is divided into two principal parts, Hatha and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals principally with the physiological part of man with a view to establish his health and train his will. The processes prescribed to arrive at this end are so difficult that only a few resolute souls go through all the stages of its practice. Many have failed and some have died in the attempt. It is therefore strongly denounced by all the philosophers. The most illustrious Shankaracharya has remarked in his treatise called Aparokshanubhuti that 'the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted.'
Which one of the following, if true, most substantially strengthens the idea given in the passage?
Show Hint
The passage is about difficulty and success in completing the practice, so the strengthener must compare success rates, not participation numbers.
Updated On: Jul 10, 2026
- The percentage of people in a given ashram practicing Raja Yoga is more than the percentage of people practicing Hatha Yoga.
- The number of people in a given ashram practicing Raja Yoga is more than the number of people practicing Hatha Yoga.
- The number of Yoga schools teaching Raja Yoga is more than the number of Yoga schools teaching Hatha Yoga.
- The percentage of students who have successfully learnt Raja Yoga is more than the percentage of students who have successfully learnt Hatha Yoga.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage's core claim is that Hatha Yoga's methods are so hard that only a few resolute people manage to complete all its stages, some have even failed or died trying, while Raja Yoga is not described this way. To strengthen this claim, we need evidence that actually measures difficulty or success, not just how many people are involved or how many schools exist.
- the percentage of people in a given ashram practicing Raja Yoga is more than the percentage practicing Hatha Yoga: This only shows more people currently attempt or choose Raja Yoga. It says nothing about how many of them actually complete or succeed at either practice, so it does not directly support the claim about difficulty.
- the number of people in a given ashram practicing Raja Yoga is more than the number practicing Hatha Yoga: Raw numbers depend on ashram size and popularity, not on how difficult or successful each practice is, so this does not strengthen the passage's point.
- the number of Yoga schools teaching Raja Yoga is more than the number teaching Hatha Yoga: The number of schools teaching a subject reflects demand or availability, not the difficulty of mastering it, so this is off the point.
- the percentage of students who have successfully learnt Raja Yoga is more than the percentage who have successfully learnt Hatha Yoga: This directly compares success rates. If a much smaller percentage complete Hatha Yoga successfully compared with Raja Yoga, that is exactly the kind of evidence that backs up the passage's claim that Hatha Yoga's processes are so difficult that only a few resolute souls get through all its stages.
Only option 4 measures actual success rather than popularity or availability, so it gives real support to the passage's idea about how difficult and risky Hatha Yoga is. Option 4 is correct.
Let's summarize:
- To strengthen a claim about difficulty or failure, look for data on outcomes, success rates, not just participation numbers.
- Percentages that measure the wrong thing, like who merely practices rather than who succeeds, do not strengthen the argument.
The passage's idea is strengthened by evidence that a smaller percentage succeed at Hatha Yoga than at Raja Yoga, which is option 4.
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