Kleshas: The Five Afflictions Framework

Patanjali identifies five kleshas—fundamental psychological afflictions—that are the seeds of all suffering and crisis: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego-identification), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death/change). Prevention means recognizing these not as moral failures but as psychological patterns everyone experiences. Avidya—fundamental misunderstanding of reality—leads to decisions based on false beliefs. Asmita—over-identification with ego—creates fragility and defensive reactions. Raga and dvesha—grasping and pushing away—create constant internal conflict. Abhinivesha—resistance to impermanence—generates anxiety. These five interweave to create the psychological conditions for crisis. Preventive work involves examining which klesha patterns dominate your psychology. Do you avoid change because of abhinivesha? Defend your identity because of asmita? Chase unrealistic goals because of raga? Understanding your particular affliction patterns allows targeted practices to uproot them before they manifest as diagnosable mental health conditions or relationship crises.