Question

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose and concepts in Sanskrit drama, according to the Natyashastra?

• A. Sanskrit drama primarily aims to entertain and provide pleasure, with a focus on tragic endings and the finality of death.
• B. Rasa refers to the physical manifestations of emotions in a drama, and it is the sole purpose of Sanskrit drama to evoke these emotions in the audience.
• C. In Sanskrit drama, death is considered the end of all things, and Rasa only pertains to temporary emotional states without any spiritual significance.
• D. The purpose of Sanskrit drama is to entertain, instruct, and provide wealth, justice, and spiritual liberation, with death viewed as a transition rather than an end, and the concept of Rasa playing a central role.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. The purpose of Sanskrit drama is to entertain, instruct, and provide wealth, justice, and spiritual liberation, with death viewed as a transition rather than an end, and the concept of Rasa playing a central role.

According to the Natyashastra, the purpose of a dramatic work was not only to entertain and provide pleasure but also to offer instruction, wealth, justice, and spiritual liberation. This is why Sanskrit drama typically does not feature a tragic ending; in Hindu cosmology, death is not viewed as the end, but rather as a transition that either leads to spiritual liberation from the cycle of life or to rebirth until liberation is attained. Rasa is described as a blissful aesthetic experience created through drama, and it is considered the highest purpose of Sanskrit drama. Rasa, or aesthetic sentiment, is a central concept in Sanskrit drama and refers to the refined emotional response that the audience experiences in reaction to the performance. Rasa is made up of four key elements: vibhava (the stimuli that provoke emotion), anubhava (the physical manifestations of emotions), vyabhicharibhava (the transient emotional states), and sthayibhava (the permanent emotional states). These components collectively shape the emotional response to a work of art.