Thursday, February 6, 2025

Rasa Theory

  This task is based on Indian Poetics and This was assigned by Dilip Barad sir.

Introduction

Indian literary criticism, known as Sahityasastra, Alamkarshastra, Kavyashastra, and Kavyamimansa, has its roots in Sanskrit and primarily focuses on achieving aesthetic pleasure through Rasanubhuti. As one of the earliest forms of literary criticism, Indian poetics has played a fundamental role in shaping Sanskrit literature by establishing various theoretical frameworks such as Rasa, Vakrokti, Alamkara, Auchitya, and Riti. These branches provide a profound understanding—तलावगाहन—of literary works. Since language is a vocal symbol with experience-based interpretations that are inherently limited, criticism broadens the perspective in evaluating artistic expressions. 

Indian poetics, being one of the oldest forms of criticism, has been meticulously defined by scholars through multiple theories, each of which holds validity within its context. Interestingly, literary creation is closely tied to the three forms of imagery: Dream, Memory, and Imagination. While Dream and Memory remain unalterable and beyond human intervention, Imagination is the key element that enables artistic expression. Literature thus becomes a reflection of oneself, as we always seek to visualize our own experiences within it. Indian Aesthetics comprises various schools of thought, each contributing to the nuanced understanding of poetics and emphasizing different aspects of literary theory.


Rasa Theory

Rasa is a profound and ancient Indian concept that captures the essence or unique emotional flavor that art evokes, whether in a painting, a story, or a performance. Rooted in the Natya Shastra of Bharata, who is believed to have lived between the 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE, this idea was later expanded upon by the philosopher Abhinavagupta around 1000 CE. According to Bharata, human emotions—such as joy, sorrow, anger, and fear—serve as the foundation for aesthetic experience, transforming into distinct artistic flavors. 

These rasas include love (śṛṅgāra), humor (hāsya), sorrow (karuṇa), rage (raudra), heroism (vīra), fear (bhayānaka), disgust (bībhatsa), wonder (adbhuta), and peace (śānta). The experience of rasa is considered a divine reward, believed to be the result of virtues accumulated in past lives. Just as a well-crafted dish delights the palate with its rich blend of flavors, art infused with rasa captivates the soul, leaving an unforgettable emotional imprint.


 "Emotions are Natural and Dynamic"

Emotions are innate and spontaneous, evolving in response to our surroundings. They can be intense and overwhelming, yet also fleeting and ephemeral. As discussed in Chapter 6, emotions are the foundation of Ras (aesthetic experience). There are 9 permanent emotions, known as Sthayi Bhav, which form the basis of artistic expression and appreciation.


Rati (Love)

Hasya (Mirth)

Soka (Sorrow)

Krodha (Anger)

Utsaha (Energy)

Bhaya (Terror)

Jugupsa (Disgust)

Vismaya (Astonishment)


These 9 Sthayi Bhav are the fundamental emotions that underlie all human experience, influencing our perceptions, creativity, and connections with others. Understanding these emotions is essential for artists, writers, and anyone seeking to create meaningful and impactful works.


Rasa

Bhavas arise out of this rasa

 


Shrungar (शृङ्गारः)

Romance, Love, attractiveness

Hasyam (हास्यं)

Laughter, Mirth, Comedy

 


Raudram (रौद्रं)

Fury, Anger

Karuṇyam (कारुण्यं)

Compassion, mercy

 

Bibhatsam (बीभत्सं)

Disgust, aversion

Bhayanakam (भयानकं)

Horror, terror

Veeram (वीरं)

Heroism

Adbhutam (अद्भुतं)

Wonder, amazement



"A Drama Encompasses Multiple Sensory Experiences"

A theatrical performance can be experienced in three primary ways: visually (drashya), aurally (shravya), and through imagination (pathya).

Visual Experience (Drashya): What we see and perceive.

Auditory Experience (Shravya): What we hear and interpret.

Imaginative Experience (Pathya): What we imagine and create in our minds through the narrative.

Research (Anusandhan) is essential in drama to craft a compelling narrative that engages audiences on multiple sensory levels.

विभावानुभावव्यभिचारि संयोगाद्रसनिष्पत्तिः।

("વિભવ, અનુભવ અને વ્યાભિચારી (સંચારી) ભાવનાઓના સંયોગથી રસનિષ્પત્તિ થાય છે.")

 "The combination of Vibhava (cause), Anubhava (expression), and Vyabhichari (transitory) emotions gives rise to the emergence of Rasa (aesthetic experience)."

Substrate + Stimulant =  Vibhava

"The experience of Rasa is undefined, but when it is supported by an Aalamban (object or person), it takes the form of a definite emotion, which is known as Vibhav."

Or, in a more poetic tone:

"The essence of Rasa is elusive, yet when it converges with an Aalamban, it blossoms into a tangible emotion, giving rise to Vibhav – the catalyst that awakens our feelings."


                 Expression\ Emotional Manifestation - Reaction\ Responce
                            ( અનુભાવ )                                                 ( પ્રતિક્રિયા )
     

"Sancharibhav": The Transient Emotion
It's an emotion that's fleeting and ephemeral, arising in response to a specific situation and disappearing just as quickly.

The Erotic Rasa

Sringara (Sanskrit: शृङ्गार, śṛṅgāra), one of the nine rasas, embodies erotic and romantic love, attraction, and beauty, serving as the foundation of classical Indian arts like theatre, music, dance, poetry, and sculpture. The essence of rasa, meaning "flavour," shapes traditional Indian artistic expression, where the dynamics between a lover and beloved symbolize the deeper spiritual connection between the individual and the divine. 

Revered as the 'Mother of all rasas' in classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Mohiniyattam, Sringara encompasses a spectrum of emotions, including jealousy, fear, anger, compassion, and physical intimacy, making it unparalleled in depth. Its performance varies greatly, from the grotesque portrayal in Koodiyattam to the refined subtlety of Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Rooted in the Nara-Narayana relationship, this rasa is presided over by Lord Vishnu, as described in the Natya Shastra, reinforcing its divine significance in artistic expression.

 The Comic Sentiment :

Comic sentiment, as defined in the Purana and Natyashastra, is a category of sentiment associated with humor and laughter, enriched by qualities of goodness. It can be divided into four distinct types, each contributing to its expression in theatre. Rooted in the Durable Psychological State of laughter, comic sentiment is conveyed through relevant actions and behaviors that provoke humor. It often relies on double entendre in dialogue to elicit laughter from spectators. Additionally, in theatrical performances, specific notes and intonations play a crucial role in evoking humor. 

Furthermore, unique gaits and movements contribute to the comic effect, enhancing the overall amusement in drama. Ultimately, comic sentiment in Hindu theatre emerges from humorous and light-hearted situations, making it a significant emotional expression in traditional performances.

The Pathetic Sentiment

Grief (Śoka), arising from the loss of a kindred, immense wealth, or an insurmountable difficulty, transforms into the Pathetic sentiment (Karuṇa-rasa) when expressed through its Vibhāvas, Anubhāvas, and Sañcārībhāvas. The substrata (ālambhan vibhāvas) of this sentiment include the deceased kinsman, lost object, or worst calamity alongside the sufferer. It is aroused by references to the lost person's virtues, conversations about them, the sight of their belongings, visiting their residence, occasions where their absence is deeply felt, anniversary commemorations, offering libations, and similar scenes that rekindle sorrow, serving as excitants (uddīpana). 

The consequences (anubhāvas) of grief manifest in the sufferer's squalor, shedding of tears, shouting, dullness, and choking of the throat. Additionally, disgust, swoon, sadness, anxiety, uneasiness, moroseness, and stupor function as ancillary feelings in Karuṇa-rasa. Moreover, paleness, shivering, change of voice, and stupefaction are self-existent states that visibly appear in the aggrieved individual, further intensifying the Pathetic sentiment in dramatic expression.

The Furious Sentiment

The Furious sentiment (Raudra) in Hinduism, rooted in rage and conflict, is prominently exemplified by Bhima’s violence and Duryodhana’s aggressive insults toward Krishna, reflecting jealousy and agitation as key elements in character interactions. This sentiment is particularly depicted in dramatic confrontations, such as the interactions between Chanakya and Chandragupta, and serves as the primary emotional force in works like Tripuradaha, where characters display intense anger. In Vyayoga, it is considered one of the required excited sentiments, portraying passionate and intense emotions

The Raudra sentiment has its foundation in the dominant state of anger and originates from Rākṣasas, Dānavas, and haughty men, often arising from fights. It is triggered by determinants such as anger, rape, abuse, insult, false allegations, exorcism, threats, revengefulness, and jealousy, leading to violent actions like beating, breaking, crushing, cutting, piercing, taking up arms, hurling missiles, and drawing blood. On stage, it is represented through consequents such as red eyes, knitted eyebrows, defiance, biting of lips, movement of cheeks, and pressing one hand with the other. Additionally, its transitory states include presence of mind, determination, energy, indignation, fury, perspiration, trembling, horripilation, and a choking voice, making it a highly dynamic and dramatic sentiment in Hindu theatrical tradition.

The Heroic Sentiment

The Vīra rasa or Heroic sentiment is associated with superior individuals and is fundamentally based on utsāha (energy). It is created by vibhāvas (determinants) such as presence of mind, perseverance, diplomacy, discipline, military strength, aggressiveness, reputation of might, and influence. The anubhāvas (consequents) of this sentiment include firmness, patience, heroism, charity, and diplomacy, while its vyabhicāribhāvas (transitory states) comprise contentment, judgment, pride, agitation, energy (vega), ferocity, indignation, remembrance, and horripilation. 

In Sanskrit drama, Bhavabhūti masterfully portrays Vīra rasa in the third act of Mālatīmādhava, where Makaranda heroically rescues Madayantikā from a tiger, and again in the fifth act, where Mādhava showcases his bravery by snatching Mālatī from the clutches of Aghoraghaṇṭa, who was about to kill her. On stage, heroic sentiment is depicted through consequents such as firmness, patience, heroism, charity, and diplomacy, emphasizing the qualities of a valiant and superior character. This dynamic and noble sentiment, deeply rooted in energy and courage, forms an essential aspect of dramatic representation in Hindu theatrical traditions.

The Terrible sentiment

The Bhayānaka rasa, or Terrible sentiment, is rooted in the permanent mood of fear and evokes a profound sense of terror in the mind. It arises from determinants (vibhāvas) such as hideous noises, the sight of ghosts, panic, anxiety triggered by the untimely cries of jackals and owls, desolate forests, empty houses, the sight of death or captivity of loved ones, and discussions surrounding such distressing events. On stage, this sentiment is depicted through consequents (anubhāvas) like trembling hands and feet, horripilation, a change in complexion, loss of voice, and overall physical unease.

 Additionally, its transitory states (vyabhicāribhāvas) include paralysis, perspiration, a choking voice, fear, stupefaction, dejection, agitation, restlessness, inactivity, epilepsy, and even death, all of which heighten the overwhelming sense of dread. The Bhayānaka rasa plays a crucial role in dramatic performances, effectively portraying the raw and unsettling experience of fear through expressions, movements, and psychological distress.

The Odious sentiment

The Odious Sentiment, known as Bībhatsa in Sanskrit, is one of the nine Rasas or the “soul of drama,” as described in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text covering diverse cultural subjects, including arts, architecture, music, grammar, and astronomy. This sentiment arises from jugupsā (disgust), which is its sthāyibhāva (permanent state), and is primarily evoked by the sight of something repulsive or revolting. The Nāṭyaśāstra also acknowledges jugupsā as the foundation of Bībhatsa rasa, emphasizing that this sentiment is expressed through physical reactions, such as the shaking of the nose, which conveys a strong feeling of aversion or disgust in dramatic performances.

The Marvellous sentiment

The Marvellous Sentiment (Adbhūta Rasa) emerges from the mental state of surprise and is evoked by witnessing something extraordinary or unexpected. It arises from ālambaṇas such as wonderful objects, astonishing incidents, or seemingly impossible feats, like those performed by jugglers. The surrounding circumstances further heighten this feeling of awe. This sentiment is expressed through physical reactions like an unwinking gaze, widened eyes, interjections, and twisting of fingers, all of which convey a sense of amazement. Additionally, stupor, perplexity, dumbfoundedness, and flurry act as ancillary emotions that enhance the Adbhūta Rasa. It is often accompanied by self-existent states such as stupefaction, a flow of tears, horripilation, and a choked voice, all of which intensify the sense of wonder in dramatic expression.

There are critics who have provided different criticisms on the Rasa Theory, including Bhatt Lullat, Shree Shankuk, Bhatt Nayak, and Abhinavgupt.

Bhatt Lullat states that Rasa is not created but rather revealed through the process of Utpattivada (the theory of emergence).

Shree Shankuk argues that Rasa is experienced by the spectator, which is explained through Anumitivada (the theory of inference). He categorizes perception into four types:

1. Samyak Pratiti (Accurate Perception) - When the perception is correct.

2. Mithya Pratiti (Incorrect Perception) - When the perception is wrong.

3. Sanshay Pratiti (Doubtful Perception) - When the perception is uncertain.

4. Sadrushy Pratiti (Analogous Perception) - When the perception is similar to the real thing.

Later, Bhatt Nayak states that Rasa is experienced. When the actor, actress, and spectator share a common emotional experience, it leads to Sadharanikaran (universalization), also known as Bhuktivada (the theory of experience).

Abhinavgupt states that Rasa is experienced as a mistaken identity, where the knowledgeable person experiences a state of relaxation, and this is known as Abhivyanjana (the theory of expression).

"प्रकाशानन्दमयज्ञानिनि विश्रान्तिः"

These theories provide different perspectives on the Rasa Theory, contributing to a deeper understanding of aesthetics and emotional experience.

 Thank You !

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