Kleshas Introduction

Vocabulary

1. Abhinivesha — Fear of death
2. Asmita —Egoism
3. Avidya — Ignorance
4. Dvesha — Aversion
5. Klesha — Obstacle or veil
6. Raga — Attachment

Translations

Different authors translate these Sanskrit words using different English spellings. We’ve settled on the following spellings while noting other ways you may come across these words.

Kleshas

• Obstacles
• Veils
• Afflictions
• Troubles

Avidya

• Ignorance
• Spiritual Ignorance
• Misapprehension
• Lack of Insight

Asmita

• Separateness
• Feeling of Individuality
• Egoism
• I-Feeling
• Identification with the Mutable

Raga

• Attachment
• Passion

Dvesha (Dvesa, Dwesha)

• Aversion
• Disgust
• Hatred

Abhinivesha (Abhinivesah, Abhinivesa)

• Fear of Death
• Will to Live
• Clinging to Bodily Life
• Insecurity
• Deep-Seated Anxiety