Question

According to scholars, one type of Hindu yoga was called ""subtle yoga."" It was believed to be a method of entering and taking over other people's bodies. ""Transcendental yoga"" was another type of practice. Ancient Hindu texts describe it as a process that allows ""superhuman female predators"" to take in people's sins.

Why did the author include this passage?
A. To describe some of the ways that yoga was used in ancient Hindu religious practices
B. To highlight the connection between ancient yoga practices and modern yoga practices
C. To criticize modern yoga practices for not including more Hindu rituals in the exercise
D. To argue that using yoga for religious meditation is more important than using it for exercise

Answer 1

The author included the passage to describe the spiritual and religious dimensions of ancient Hindu yoga practices, emphasizing its use for more than physical well-being but for achieving spiritual goals and enlightenment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage's inclusion aims to provide insights into the diverse and rich practices of yoga within ancient Hindu religious practices. The mention of 'subtle yoga' and 'transcendental yoga' underscores the breadth of yoga not only as physical exercises but as spiritual and mystical traditions aimed at achieving various transcendental goals. The passage educates on how the ancient forms of yoga served purposes that extend beyond mere physical well-being to include spiritual enlightenment, possession phenomena, and rituals for absorbing sins, offering readers a glimpse into the spiritual depth and historical context of yoga practices.

The final answer to the question of why the author included this passage is to describe some of the ways that yoga was used in ancient Hindu religious practices (Option A). This explanation aligns with the historical perspective provided on yoga, revealing its origin, transformation, and integration into religious traditions such as Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The passage seeks to illuminate that yoga was, and is, a holistic practice aimed at attaining spiritual realization, moral discipline, and meditative focus, culminating in self-realization and ultimate unity with the supreme soul.