NAVARASA

 What is Navarasa?

Navarasa" (Sanskrit: नवरस) is a compound word:

• Nava = Nine

• Rasa = Essence, Emotion, Flavor, or Sentiment

So, Navarasa literally means "Nine Emotions" or "Nine Sentiments".

These are the nine fundamental emotional states that are evoked in the audience through Indian classical art forms such as:

• Dance (like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali)

• Theatre (Sanskrit drama, traditional storytelling)

• Music

• Literature

• Visual arts & film

---

Why Are Navarasas Important?

In Indian aesthetics (especially the Nāṭyaśāstra, an ancient text on performing arts by Bharata), these rasas are considered the soul of any artistic expression.

They’re not just emotions that characters feel—they’re the emotions that the audience is supposed to experience.

The 9 Navarasas and Their Meanings:

Sanskrit Name	English Meaning	Emotional Essence
1. Śṛṅgāra	Love, Romance	Beauty, attraction, affection
2. Hāsya	Laughter, Humor	Joy, playfulness, comic relief
3. Karuṇā	Compassion, Sadness	Empathy, pity, sorrow
4. Raudra	Anger, Fury	Wrath, injustice, aggression
5. Vīra	Courage, Heroism	Bravery, valor, pride
6. Bhayānaka	Fear, Horror	Anxiety, terror, unease
7. Bībhatsa	Disgust, Aversion	Repulsion, moral outrage
8. Adbhuta	Wonder, Amazement	Curiosity, surprise, awe
9. Śānta	Peace, Tranquility	Stillness, detachment, calm bliss

                      1. Śṛṅgāra  – Love, Beauty, Attraction

➤ Essence:

The rasa of love, romance, beauty, and passion. It’s the most celebrated rasa and considered the "king" of rasas. It includes both sensual love (erotic) and divine love (spiritual devotion).

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Light Green

• Deity: Vishnu

• Mood: Harmony, joy, longing

2. Hāsya – Joy, Laughter, Humor

➤ Essence:

The rasa of joy, playfulness, laughter, and the human ability to find fun even in the absurd. It includes innocent humor, as well as sarcasm or irony.

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: White

• Deity: Pramatha (Shiva’s attendant)

• Mood: Mirth, comedy, silliness

                3. Karuṇā – Compassion, Sorrow, Empathy

                                            ➤ Essence:

Evokes sympathy, sadness, grief, and a deep sense of empathy for others. It’s rooted in the human response to suffering and is central to humanitarian storytelling.

                                                               ➤ Symbolism:

•                                                                     Color: Grey

•                                                             Deity: Yama (god of death)

•                                                    Mood: Mourning, gentleness, caring

                                                                     

                                                                   

.                      4 Raudra  – Anger, Rage, Fury

                                                                    ➤ Essence:

The rasa of fury, outrage, and intensity. It’s about reaction to injustice, betrayal, or wrong. It often fuels activism and transformation.

                                                                  ➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Red

• Deity: Rudra (a fierce form of Shiva)

• Mood: Vengeance, confrontation, fire

5. Vīra  – Courage, Heroism, Valor

➤ Essence:

This rasa represents bravery, confidence, honor, and noble action. It’s the mood of a hero facing challenge with dignity.

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Orange or Gold

• Deity: Indra (king of gods)

• Mood: Strength, fearlessness, energy

6. Bhayānaka – Fear, Horror, Dread

➤ Essence:

Invokes terror, anxiety, shock, or suspense. It explores the darker side of human experience—uncertainty, death, the unknown.

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Black

• Deity: Kala (time/death)

• Mood: Paranoia, caution, horror

7. Bībhatsa  – Disgust, Aversion, Repulsion

➤ Essence:

Explores the feeling of repulsion or moral outrage. It's powerful for designs meant to make people wake up to injustice or harm.

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Dull Green or Blue

• Deity: Shiva (in destructive form)

• Mood: Disdain, nausea, critique

8. Adbhuta – Wonder, Curiosity, Amazement

➤ Essence:

The rasa of marvel and discovery. It awakens curiosity and the joy of encountering something new or magical.

➤ Symbolism:

• Color: Yellow

9. Śānta – Peace, Tranquility, Stillness

✨ Essence:

• The emotion of inner peace, meditative stillness, and spiritual calm.

• It’s the rasa of detachment, liberation, and bliss.

Color: Blue or White

🕉️ Deity: Buddha or Vasudeva
🎭 Mood: Contentment, detachment, serenity