Klesha Identification: Naming Root Causes of Suffering

Patanjali identifies five kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death)—as root causes of suffering, offering a non-pathological diagnostic lens for mental distress. This framework allows cultures to understand psychological struggles through indigenous concepts rather than importing Western psychiatric categories that may feel foreign or stigmatizing. By naming that ignorance about one's nature, ego-defensiveness, excessive attachment, or existential fear drive mental suffering, this model empowers communities to address root causes through culturally-aligned practices rather than pharmaceutical or institutional approaches alone. For populations skeptical of Western psychiatry due to historical medical racism or cultural misalignment, klesha-based assessment offers legitimate, respected alternatives rooted in ancient wisdom. This reduces diagnostic stigma while enabling precise intervention matching actual causes of individual suffering across diverse cultural contexts.