The Use of Sringara Rasa in Abhijnana Sakuntalam by Mahakavi Kalidas.

Abstract

Famous writer of Natyasastra, Bharata says in a sloka “Vibhavanubhava vyabhichariya sanyogat rasa nishpattih” which best explains how rasa is relished in a drama. The term Rasa is related to the sentiments that are aroused in the minds. The sentiments may be Sringara (erotic), veera (heroic), karuna (pathos), and likewise. The meaning of the term is easily conceivable. But it is very difficult to express the notion properly in western critical terminology. In western concept it is something close to aesthetic pleasure. The aphorism by Bharata, “Vibhavanubhava vyabhichariya sanyogat rasa nishpattih” conveys that rasa is relished when a permanent mood or sthayibhava is brought to a relishable condition through the three elements i.e. the vibhava, the anubhava and the vyabhicharibhava. According to him, “no meaning can proceed (from speech) without (any kind of) rasa (i.e. sentiment).” Kalidas’s works show his belief in the doctrine of Bharata’s rasasutra. The vibhavas, anubhavas and vyabhicharibhavas are all dealt with so minutely in his works that their union with sthayibhavas produces rasa, which is relished till today.