''Klesha'' (, ) is a Sanskrit word meaning "impurity", "corruption" or "poison". In

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

, a ''klesha'' is a mental state, such as fear or ignorance, that clouds the mind and leads to unhealthy actions. It is an obstacle to reaching a state of enlightenment and liberation (''

moksha ''Moksha'' (; , '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'', and ''mukti'', is a term in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, liberation, '' nirvana'', or release. In its soteriological and eschatologic ...

'') from ''

saṃsāra ''Saṃsāra'' (Devanagari: संसार) is a Sanskrit word that means "wandering" as well as "world," wherein the term connotes "cyclic change" or, less formally, "running around in circles." ''Saṃsāra'' is referred to with terms or p ...

''.

Five ''kleshas''

The third of the second chapter of Patañjali's '' Yoga Sūtras'' explicitly identifies the five poisons (): Translated into English, these five ''kleshas'' are: * Ignorance (), the first cause of suffering. It obscures the higher self by firmly establishing negative habits and resisting changeThe Cause of Suffering: The 5 Kleshas
What are the 5 kleshas?, www.yogabasics.com * Ego (), attachment to the ego. * Attachment (), desire for material objects, relationships, status, power, or other desires * Aversion () or anger towards unpleasant things, people, and experiences * Clinging to life (), fear of death and desire to live. According to the ''Yoga Sutras'', there are four stages for overcoming the effects of the ''kleshas'': the active stage (''udaram''), the detached stage (''vicchinna''), the decaying stage (''tanu'') and the dormant stage (''parsupta'').Klesha
Definition - What does Klesha mean?, www.yogapedia.com

Literature

The ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'' describe suffering as an impediment to spiritual growth. Yogic practices such as meditation and pranayama breathing exercises provide methods to overcome afflictions. According to '' Shiva Purana'' 2.3.5 and Hathatatvakaumudi, klesha refers to suffering (i.e. suffering caused by penance).The Shiva Purana
by J. L. Shastri, Chapter 5 - Menā obtains the boon, www.wisdomlib.orgKlesha, Kleśa, Klesa: 21 definitions
In Hinduism, Purana and Itihasa (epic history), www.wisdomlib.org

Five ''kleshas''

Literature

See also

References

Further reading