Kleshas (Hinduism)

Klesha (Sanskrit: क्लेश, IAST: Kleśa) is a Sanskrit word meaning "impurity", "corruption" or "poison".^[1] In Hinduism, a klesha is a mental state, such as fear or ignorance, that clouds the mind and leads to unhealthy actions. It is an obstacle to reaching a state of enlightenment and liberation (moksha) from saṃsāra.^[1]

The third śloka of the second chapter of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras explicitly identifies the five poisons (pañcakleśā'):

अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशाः पञ्च क्लेशाः॥३॥
Avidyāsmitārāgadveṣābhiniveśāḥ pañca kleśāḥ^[2]

Translated into English, these five kleshas are:^[2]

• Ignorance (ávidyā), the first cause of suffering. It obscures the higher self by firmly establishing negative habits and resisting change^[1][3]
• Ego (asmitā), attachment to the ego.^[1][3]
• Attachment (rāga), desire for material objects, relationships, status, power, or other desires^[1][3]
• Aversion (dveṣa) or anger towards unpleasant things, people, and experiences^[1][3]
• Clinging to life (abhiniveśāḥ), fear of death and desire to live.^[1][3]

According to the Yoga Sutras, there are four stages for overcoming the effects of the kleshas: the active stage (udaram), the detached stage (vicchinna), the decaying stage (tanu) and the dormant stage (parsupta).^[1]

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe suffering as an impediment to spiritual growth.^[1] Yogic practices such as meditation and pranayama breathing exercises provide methods to overcome afflictions.^[1] According to Shiva Purana 2.3.5 and Hathatatvakaumudi, klesha refers to suffering (i.e. suffering caused by penance).^[4][5]

• Lobha – Hindu and Buddhist concept of character affliction
• Maya – Concept in Indian religionsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

• Kapilnath (January 30, 2005). "The Five Kleshas". Internationalnathorder.org. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
• Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev (n.d.). "The Magnum Opus of Twilight Yoga". Internationalnathorder.org. Retrieved 2022-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)