Panchklesh (पंचक्लेश)

The five mental afflictions—ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, and fear of death—that obstruct spiritual progress.

JKP Literature

— 1 min read
A troubled man sits in a beautiful, sunlit Indian garden, surrounded by tranquility but visibly experiencing inner unrest.
Panchklesh — The five afflictions disturb the mind even amid peaceful surroundings.

Panchklesh (पंचक्लेश | pañcaklēśa) refers to the five mental afflictions that obstruct a jeev from progressing toward the ultimate goal of life: attaining God.

Described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, these five afflictions are:

  1. Avidya (अविद्या | avidyā) — Ignorance; mistaking the temporary for the permanent, suffering for happiness, and the material body for oneself.
  2. Asmita (अस्मिता | asmitā) — Ego; falsely identifying oneself with the material body and its attributes.
  3. Raag (राग | rāga) — Attachment; favorable feelings toward material people or objects.
  4. Dvesh (द्वेष | dvēṣa) — Aversion; ill will or hatred toward others.
  5. Abhinivesh (अभिनिवेश | abhinivēśa) — Fear of death.

These afflictions keep the mind attached to the material world and obstruct spiritual progress.

Alternate Spellings: Panch Klesh, Panchaklesha, Pañcaklēśa, पंचक्लेश

Go Deeper

Panchklesh — Five Afflictions
The five obstacles of mind, which prevent jeev from going towards the ultimate goal of life, are called Panchklesh (Devanagari: पंचक्लेश ISO15919: paṁcakleśa ). Panch (Devanagari: पंच ISO15919: paṁca ) means five, klesh (Devanagari: क्लेश ISO15919: kleśa ) means obstacle. These five obstacles are described by Sage
Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Understand how each affliction arises, influences the mind, and prevents a jeev from attaining divine bliss.

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