HomeGlossaryklesha

klesha

क्लेश klesha

An affliction; in the Yoga Sutras the five (avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, abhinivesha) that are the root of bondage and of karma.

Where this term appears

  • Yoga as a Darshana Philosophy

    And then, in a single aphorism, Patanjali says exactly what this Lord is: क्लेशकर्मविपाकाशयैरपरामृष्टः पुरुषविशेष ईश्वरः ॥ klesha-karma-vipakashayair aparamrishtah purusha-vishesha ishvarah.

  • Why action binds Treatise

    Patanjali's claim is startling in its economy. The deposit of karma, he says, is rooted in the kleshas .

Related terms

← All terms · Search the site