The afflictions are: ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death.

This sutra enumerates the five kleśas, the roots of all human suffering:

Avidyā (ignorance) is the root of all others. It is not mere lack of information, but a distorted perception of reality.

Asmitā (egoism) is the erroneous identification of the observer with the instruments of observation.

Rāga (attachment) is the compulsive attraction toward the pleasant.

Dveṣa (aversion) is the rejection of what causes pain.

Abhiniveśa (fear of death) is the instinctive clinging to life, present even in the wise.

Understanding these five afflictions is the first step toward liberation from them.