Question

What does "Vibhava" refer to in Rasa Theory?

• A. The consequences of emotions
• B. The objective conditions that produce emotions
• C. The fleeting emotions in a literary work
• D. The final aesthetic experience

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The objective conditions that produce emotions

In Rasa Theory, Vibhava refers to the determinants or the objective conditions that lead to the emergence of emotions. It includes:

• Ālambana Vibhava – The person or object that causes the emotion (e.g., a hero, heroine, or situation).

• Uddīpana Vibhava – The environmental factors that enhance the emotion (e.g., moonlight, seasons, music).

These stimuli help the audience experience Rasa in a performance or literary work.