Natyashastra by Bharatmuni

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 Rasa Theory in Natyashastra

 Bharatmuni was an ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist. He is considered the father of Indian theatrical art forms. He wrote the Natyashastra during the period between 200 BCE and 200 CE in classical India. It is a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The text of Natyashastra consists of 36 chapters or 6000 poetic verses (slokas) describing performance arts. The subjects covered by treatise include: the sentiments, the states, the histrionic representation (abhinaya), the practice (dharmi), the styles (vritti), the success (siddhi), the notes (svara), the instrumental music ( atodya), songs and the stage. 
Natyashastra is also notable for its aesthetic sentiments ( Rasa ) theory. Rasa  literally means "taste" or "savor", and, as used to denote the essence of poetry. Bharatmuni wrote in Natyashastra: " no composition can be proceed without rasa". Rasa is an individual experience brought through the expression of Bhavas. These two the Rasa and the Bahava are interdependent. Rasa is not created without Bhava and Bhava has no existence if Rasa is not promoted. Bhavas can be considered as the physical body and Rasa being its soul.
The concept of Rasa is the most important and significant contribution of the Indian mind. Rasa has no exact equivalent in word or concept in any other language or art of the world.
Bharata explained the concept of Rasa in following words: "Rasa is realization of one's own consciousness as coloured by emotions".
Bharata has tried to explain how the aesthetic pleasure takes place. He gave the theory of Rasa in one sutra. He says "Vibhavaanubhava vyabhichari samyogad rasanishpattih"
The prominent Rasa are eight in number. The eight Rasa (sentiments) recognised in drama are as follows: Erotic (Sringara), Comic (Hasya), Pathetic (Karuna), Furious (Raudra), Heroic (Veera), Terrible ( Bhayanaka ), Odious (Bibhatsa), Marvellous (Adbhuta). "Sringarahasyakaruna Roudraveerabhayanakah bibhatsaadbhutasanjyo Chetyashto Natyarasasmritah"
Rasa accompanied by Bhavas  become the source of Ananda. Bharata says " Yathhinan vyanjanaaushadhidravya... Sthayinah bhavah rasatramapnuvanti". 
Bharatmuni gives the concept of the Bhavas or emotions. "It is apparent that the sentiments arise from the states and not the states from sentiments". These emotional states are inherent to humans. There are eight Sthayibhavas corresponding to the eight basic Rasas. The eight Bhavas are as follows: Rati, Hasa, Shoka, Krodha, Utasaha, Bhaya, Jugupsa, and Vismya.
Before understanding the structure of Rasa in detail, we must understand the following four terms in some detail. 
Sthayibhava: permanent emotions.
Vyabhicharibhava: transitory or fleeting emotions.
Vibhava: excitant or stimulating determinants.
Anubhava: consequent of ensuring response.
The eight Rasa can be represented on the stage in following manner:

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