Advertisement

Alabdha-bhumikatva

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Alabdha-bhumikatva Mean?

Alabdha-bhumikatva is one of the nine antaraya, or obstacles to spiritual growth, according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and is the inability to attain a particular stage or state on the path to enlightenment. From Sanskrit, alabdha means “unobtained”; bhum means “earth,” suggesting groundedness and stability; and katva means “bed,” suggesting a sense of comfort and stability.

The reasons for alabdha-bhumikatva can be wide-ranging, but inner issues such as self-doubt, procrastination and lack of motivation are most common.

Advertisement

Yogapedia Explains Alabdha-bhumikatva

The antaraya, including alabdha-bhumikatva, prevent mental clarity and lead to suffering. The Sutras name nine of these obstacles to union with the Divine:

  • Vyadhi, or disease/sickness
  • Styana, or fixation
  • Samsaya, or doubt
  • Pramada, or impulsiveness and carelessness
  • Alasya, or lethargy
  • Avirati, or intemperance
  • Bhrantidarsana, or distorted self-esteem, which can be either positive or negative
  • Alabdha-bhumikatva
  • Anavasthitatvani, which is the failure to maintain a yogic state once it has been achieved

In more general terms, alabdha-bhumikatva is the inability to reach a desired goal or to progress on the path to that goal. In Buddhist philosophy, it is the sense that it is impossible to see reality.


During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.

To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.

Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.

Advertisement

Share This Term

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Related Reading

Trending Articles

Go back to top