Question

How many Sthayi Bhavas are there?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 10
• D. 9

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 8

• Bharata clarifies his point by using an analogy: just as people relish the rasa (flavours) of food

• Prepared using various spices or condiments, so sensitive spectators relish the dominant or permanent emotions suggested by the acting out of the bhavas.

• Bharata coined the term rasa for aesthetic relish because it can be tasted. For him bhava and rasa are inseparable.

• There cannot be bhava without rasa and vice versa.

• The eight permanent instincts whom he calls sthayibhava and which are inborn in every human being, produce eight emotions.

Sthayibhavas & Rasas are given below as:

1. Rati (love) > Shringara (erotic)

2. Hasa (laughter) > Hasya (comic)

3. Shoka (sorrow) > Karuna (pathetic/compassionate)

4. Krodha (anger) > Raudra (furious)

5. Utsaha (enthusiasm) > Vira (heroic)

6. Bhaya (fear) > Bhayanaka (terrifying)

7. Jugupsa (disgust) > Bibhatsa (disgusting)

8. Vismaya (wonderous) > Adbhuta (wonderful/awesome)

• These rasas are aided by poetry, music and other histrionic devices called natyadharmi and are included under abhinaya.

• They are presented through the three kinds of dramatic representation or abhinaya: that Which uses the body (angik), which uses speech (vachik), that which is involuntary (sattvik).

• Therefore, they are called natya rasas.

• Bharata coined the term rasa for aesthetic relish because it can be tasted: ‘rasa aswadan’.