Rasa Theory Introduction

1. By Dhatri Parmar

2. Prayojanas (Purposes) of Poetry:
• Yasas (Fame)
• Artha (Wealth)
• Vyavaharanjanam (Knowledge of worldly manners)
• Sivetarakshati (Extirpation of inauspiciousness)
• Sadyah paranirvriti (Attaining instant Supreme Bliss)
• Attaining Instant Supreme Bliss:
⚬ Result of Rasanubhuti (Relish of sentiment)
⚬ Abhinavagupta equates Rasanubhuti with the realization of
the Supreme Self (Brahmandasahodaram anandam).
• Beginnig of the Art
• Bramha gave Nataka as moral snd entertained tool Fifth veda
• Bramha,Vishnu, Mahesha
• Nataka- Vastu Neta-Rasa

3. • Bharata's Contribution to Rasa: "Natyasastra." [sacience of arts
century BCE and 3rd century CE.
• Further developed by Abhinavagupta around 1000 CE.
• Structure of "Natyasastra":
• Thirty-six chapters
• Six thousand verses
• Sixth Chapter ("Rasavikalpa"):
• Detailed delineation of Rasa or sentimen
• Abinaya
• 1. Angika
• 2. Vachika
• 3. Aharya [ costume. stage]
• 4. Satvika [ actors melt into charscter ]
• 5. Chitra [ sunrise-sunset etc.]

4. • Definition of Rasa in "Natyasastra":
• Rasa is a mental condition of enjoyment.
• Manifested as the inevitable reaction of Bhava (emotion)
displayed by characters.
• विभािानुभािव्यवभचारिसंयोगाद्रिस वनष्पवि:।
• Rasa is manifested through the combination of Vibhavas,
Anubhavas, and Vyabhicaribhavas.
• Sthayibhava of Santa:
• Sama (Serenity, Control)

7. • Types of Vibhavas:
• Alambanavibhava: Characters on whom the emotion (Sthayibhava)
develops.
￭ Example: In Dushyanta's love, Sakuntala is the Alambanavibhava,
and vice versa.
• Uddipanavibhava:
￭ Instrumental factors like spring, moonlight, scent of flowers, gentle
breeze, etc.
• Anubhavas: Physical effects resulting from an emotion.
⚬ Example: In the dominance of love (sthayibhava), sweet words,
sidelong glances, etc., are Anubhavas.
• Sattvikabhavas:
⚬ Physical effects resulting from an emotion.
⚬ Parvati in Kumarsambhv

8. • Relation Between Rasa and Sthayibhava:
⚬ Karyakaranabhava (Effect and Cause) relationship.
⚬ Sthayibhava acts as the cause, and Rasa is the effect.
⚬ The transformation occurs, and Rasa takes a distinct form from the original
Sthayibhava.
• Analogy: Similar to milk transforming into curd.
⚬ Sthayibhava undergoes a transformation to become Rasa.
⚬ Nature of Rasa: Alaukika (Transcending the limits of worldly experience).
⚬ Central Role of Rasa in Poetry: Rasanubhuti
“ The nature of the delight experienced in a play or poem is
consistent.”