Kleshas Five Afflictions Framework

Patanjali's Kleshas—Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (ego), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion), and Abhinivesha (fear of death)—constitute the root causes of all emotional suffering and dysregulation. Rather than treating emotions symptomatically, this framework identifies the underlying psychological afflictions generating reactive patterns. Avidya represents misperception of reality that leads to inappropriate emotional responses. Asmita (I-making) creates ego-based emotional reactivity where the self feels threatened. Raga drives compulsive emotional attachment to pleasant states, while Dvesha creates aversion and negative emotional patterns toward discomfort. Abhinivesha, the deepest klesha, generates existential anxiety underlying many emotional disorders. By understanding the Kleshas, practitioners recognize their emotional patterns as manifestations of these fundamental afflictions rather than isolated problems. This framework enables targeted regulation: you address the root klesha rather than endlessly managing surface emotions. Emotional regulation becomes a process of progressively dissolving these fundamental ignorances through practice and wisdom.