Klesha Taxonomy: Identifying Psychological Suffering Roots

Patanjali identifies five kleshas—fundamental obstacles obscuring clear perception: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego/false self), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death/clinging to existence). This taxonomy functions as a sophisticated psychological diagnostic tool complementing CBT assessment. Avidya manifests as cognitive distortions and false beliefs; asmita appears as rigid identity fusion; raga drives compulsive pursuit and addiction; dvesha generates avoidance and anxiety; abhinivesha underlies existential dread and mortality anxiety. By mapping presenting problems onto klesha categories, therapists develop deeper understanding of psychological roots. A client's perfectionism might reflect asmita (ego-identified with achievement) and avidya (misbelief that self-worth depends on performance). Another's social anxiety involves dvesha (aversion to judgment) and asmita (ego-vulnerable identity). This framework guides CBT case conceptualization, helping clinicians address core distortions rather than surface symptoms. The philosophical psychology validates why simple cognitive correction fails without addressing underlying identity patterns.