Paper name Literary criticism Paper no.7 Topic The concept of Rasa in Indian poetics

1. The Concept of Rasa in Indian poetics
Paper no.7
Paper name: Lit. Crit.
Email: vipul1996p@gmail.com
Topic: Concept of Rasa in Indian poetics
Submitted to: smt. Gardy Dept. of English
University: MKBU (Bhavnagar)
Course: M.A (English) Sem. 2
Vipul Parmar Roll no: 40

2. Introduction:
Rasa Theory asserts that entertainment (in the drama/performance) is
expected to evoke Rasa or joy (artistic) but that is not the primary goal.
The primary goal is instead to create parallel life in front of the audience
to experience a sense of one’s own (i.e. Consciousness, spiritual and
moral question).
Bharatamuni believes that the dramatic form of aesthetic experience is
the most perfect fruition of aesthetic activity because drama is the
synthesis of all arts.
According to Abhinav Gupta (one of the famous critics of Natyashastra),
Rasa is the simplest and most we bewildering expression in the Sanskrit
language. Anyone can experience it but cannot define it precisely.

3. Rasa’s Foundation is laid upon a particular view of
psychology that holds our personality and according to
which a few primary emotions live in the conscious and
subconscious state of our being.
These emotions are vast, amusing, pathetic, heroic,
passionate, fearful, disgusting and wonderful. Later on
peaceful, intellectual and devotional were also added.

4. According to Bharatmuni, the realization of Rasa results
from the Union of Vibhavas, Anubhavas, and
Vyabhikaribhavas. When Sthaibhavas unite with others,
the three Bhavas, one attains the quality of Rasa.

5. Bhavas in Indian asthetics:
(1)Sthaibhavas:
These are the permanent or dominant moods.
They are 8 in number- Rati (love), Hasya (humorous), soka
(sorrow), krodha (anger), utsaha (enthusiasm), bhaya
(fear), jugupsa (disgust) and vismaya (wonder).
Later on, passiveness was added by Abhinavgupta and
Anandvardhana.

6. Sthaibhavas are the basis of Rasa and are supreme
among all Bhavas which are 49 in number.
Sthaibhavas constitute the principal theme of a
composition.
They run all emotions like garland and cannot be
overpowered by them. Rather the latter feed and
strengthen them and help them emerge as Rasa.

7. Vhibhavas:
● They are the situations which are responsible to bring
out Sthaibhavas. Vhibhavas have two aspects-
Alambana and Uddipana. The person in whose mind
Sthaibhavas run is known as Allambana Vibhavas.
● The moonlit, spring, soft breeze, fragrance of flowers
are Uddipanana Vhibahavas. In other words, they are
stimuli.

8. Anubhavas:
● They are their effect seen upon the character after
the emotions arise in the action.
● They make spectators feel or experience Abhinaya
by words and gestures.

9. Vyabhikaribhavas:
● They are the transitory and temporary mental states.
● They strike mind and become the cause of experiencing
a permanent mood.
● They are 33 in numbers. Some of them are Weakness,
depression, anxiety, despair etc.
● They spring out of principal emotion and ultimately
merge into it.

10. Rasas in Indian asthetics Shringar
Rasa:
● It is given the highest honor ever since the beginning of
Poetics.
● Sthaibhava or emotion of this erotic sentiment is Rati or
love. Hero and heroine are Alambana Vibhavas. Swam,
youth, solitude, songs of cuckoo are Uddipana Vibhavas.
● Sideglances, twisting of limbs, brows are Anubhavas.
● Leaving aside, the fight is Vyabhikaribhvas.
● Collectively they provide joy Shringara Rasa.

11. Karun Rasa
● It emerges due to Soka (grief).
● It is pleasurable as it has the power to meet the human
heart.
● A deceased person is Alambana.
● Reference to him is Uddipana.
● Cursing destiny, stupefaction are the Anubhavas.
● Disgust, anxiety and uneasiness are Vyabhikaribhavas.
● Haysa Rasa
● It is the comic elements. It happens by showing unseemly
dress, ornaments, quarrels, defective limbs etc.

12. Hasya Rasa
It is the comic elements. It happens by showing
unseemly dress, ornaments, quarrels, defective limbs
etc.

13. Rudra Rasa:
● Anger, rape, abuse, insult, threatening, jealousy etc are
Alambana Vhibhavas.
● Beating, breaking, crushing, cutting are Uddipana
Vhibahavs
● Red eyes, knitting of eyebrows, biting of lips,
determination, energy, restlessness and trembling are
Vyabhikari Bhavas.

14. Other Rasas:
Vira Rasa: (zeal or utsaha)
Bhaya Rasa: (fear or Bhaya)
Adhbuta Rasa: (Vismaya)
Santa Rasa: (Nirveda)