Avidya

“Non-knowledge”, “ignorance”. The root of all suffering according to yoga and vedānta.

Definition in Yoga Sūtras (2.5):

“Avidyā is taking the impermanent for permanent, the impure for pure, pain for pleasure, and what is not the Self for the Self.”

Avidyā is not simply lack of information but a fundamental misperception:

• Identifying with the body, thoughts, emotions
• Believing happiness comes from external objects
• Not recognizing the eternal nature of ātman

Relationship with the kleśas: Avidyā is the first and source of the other four: asmitā (ego), rāga (attachment), dveṣa (aversion), abhiniveśa (fear of death).

Yoga eliminates avidyā through viveka (discrimination) and sustained practice, revealing what was always present.