[1] In Hinduism, 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) from saṃsāra.
[1] The third śloka of the second chapter of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras explicitly identifies the five poisons (pañcakleśā'): अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशाः पञ्च क्लेशाः॥३॥ Avidyāsmitārāgadveṣābhiniveśāḥ pañca kleśāḥ[2] Translated into English, these five kleshas are:[2] 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).
[1] The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe suffering as an impediment to spiritual growth.
[1] Yogic practices such as meditation and pranayama breathing exercises provide methods to overcome afflictions.