Publications
The Concept of Rasa: With special reference of Abhinavagupta
Ed. By S. C. Pandey
Rasa
,
the aesthetic pleasure, is accepted as the highest value of
Sanskrit kavya. In Sanskrit, the word kavya includes both
sravya and drsya, i.e. all form of poetry and drama. The rasa
is a very old concept and is found in the Upanisad in the
sense of pure consciousness or the highest reality. In the
field of literary criticism, Bharata, the author of the Natyasastra
is the first known Acharya of the rasa theory, and Abhinavagupta
is his commentator. Abhinavagupta, hailing from Kashmir, was
one of the greatest philosophers and thinkers in the field
of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy and literary criticism. He explained
the rasa theory propounded by Bharata on the philosophical
plain and raised the experience of rasa, i.e. Rasasvada similar
to the experience of the Highest Bliss, i.e. Brahmasvada.
Abhinavagupta’s rasa theory had a great impact on the
whole of rasa school of Sanskrit poertics.
The present anthology of twenty-two well-researched papers
representing the outcome of a national seminar hosted by Institute
sheds welcome light and presents fresh perspectives on the
concept of rasa.
2009 Rs. 595.00
ISBN No. 978-81-7305-384-9
