Avarodha

Avarodha is a Sanskrit term meaning hindrance, obstruction, or impediment. Etymologically it combines ava- (away, off) with rodha (to hinder, impede). The word is commonly transliterated as avarodha, and appears in various Indian philosophical and spiritual contexts to denote obstacles to knowledge, practice, or realization.

In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, avarodha is used to describe obstacles that block insight or progress on a spiritual path. It can refer to internal impediments such as doubt, distraction, or ignorance as well as external pressures or conditions that hinder disciplined effort, contemplation, or ethical conduct. The concept is often discussed alongside other obstacles to knowledge or practice, emphasizing the need to recognize and overcome hindrances.

In yogic and Vedantic discourse, avarodha is treated as something to be removed in the course of sadhana (spiritual practice). Texts describe techniques and dispositions—such as discrimination, mental discipline, and ethical conduct—that help dissolve or bypass obstructions to concentration and realization. The idea aligns with broader notions of veils or obstacles that prevent clear cognition or experiential insight.

In modern usage, avarodha appears in scholarly glossaries and translations as a neutral term for hindrance in cognitive, philosophical, or practical contexts. It is sometimes discussed alongside related Sanskrit terms such as avarana (veiling) or klesha (afflictive causes), providing a general framework for understanding obstacles within classical Indian thought.