Klisha Vritti: Afflicted Mental States

Patanjali distinguishes between aklisha (non-afflicted) and klisha (afflicted) mental modifications. Klisha vritti are thoughts contaminated by the five kleshas: avidya, asmita (ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death). Most cognitive biases fall into the klisha category because they serve emotional needs—protecting ego, gaining approval, avoiding loss, or maintaining security. Confirmation bias often serves raga (attachment to preferred beliefs); catastrophizing serves dvesha (aversion to loss); self-serving bias serves asmita (ego protection). Understanding cognitive biases as klisha vritti reveals that they're not merely logical errors but emotionally motivated distortions. The afflicted mind naturally generates biased perceptions because it filters reality through need, fear, and desire. The Yoga Sutras teach that klisha vritti require ethical transformation (yama and niyama), not just intellectual correction. Your complete cognitive bias reference must include this emotional dimension: biases persist because they serve deep psychological needs rooted in the kleshas. Yoga practice addresses these needs at their source, naturally reducing the afflicted mental states that generate bias.