Know your Emotions through NavaRasas in Indian Culture

Rhucha Kulkarni
Jan 24
6 min read

In our earlier exploration on emotional awareness, we dialled into the Atlas of Emotions to understand the five core human emotions. There are different models to delve deeper into an understanding of human emotions, some being very close to our own cultural wealth. As I was mulling over this topic, what immediately came to mind was one such Indian scripture which captures the depth of emotions so beautifully – the Natyashastraand the NavaRasas. Maybe, having trained in Indian Classical Music, pulled me towards this wealth of Indian culture and egged me to relook at it from the new lens of emotional wellbeing!

The Nine Rasas, originating from Sanskrit aesthetics and classical Indian art, provide a framework for understanding the spectrum of human emotions. Traditionally applied in drama, dance, music, and literature, these Rasas offer insight into how we experience, interpret, and express our feelings in various contexts. Though these concepts come from an ancient cultural tradition, they remain highly relevant today, helping us gain deeper emotional awareness.

What is Natyashastra andNavaRasas?

The ancient sage Bharat Muni outlined the eight emotions experienced by humans, associated with the respective deities - Shringara, Hasya, Roudra, Karuna, Veera, Adbhutha, Bheebhatsa, Bhayanaka in the NatyaShastra. The 9th Rasa, Shanta, was added by Abhinavgupta, a philosopher from 1000 AD.

Navarasa = Nava means nine + Rasa means emotional state or emotions.

The concept of Navarasas was used in various Indian art forms like dance, theatre, music, painting, and sculpture, as a tool of expression. It is important to note that Rasa alone does not entail emotions, Rasa is accompanied by Bhava and the two work together to become the “complete emotion”.

What are the Navarasas and Emotions?

1. Shringara or LOVE

What it is: Shringara is the Rasa of love, beauty, and attraction. It encompasses both romantic love and a broader sense of affection and aesthetic appreciation.
Depiction In Culture: Shringara is often depicted in classical dance and drama through graceful movements, romantic poetry, and expressive expressions of longing or devotion.
Everyday Life: This emotion shows up in our relationships, be it romantic love, family bonds, or even the love of nature or art. Think of the joy in a shared hug or a deeply moving painting. One may extend this to a deeper implication of selflove as well.
Why it is important?: Love fosters connection, compassion, and unity. It helps build emotional bonds that sustain us through life’s challenges. Self love is especially relevant in today’s times to enjoy lasting happiness, joy, and peace.

2. Hasya or LAUGHTER

What it is: Hasya is the Rasa of humour and joy, expressing light-heartedness, amusement, and laughter. It involves both the playfulness of humour and the release of stress through laughter.
Depiction In Culture: Seen in comedy performances, slapstick humour, or witty dialogues in theatre and films. It’s about creating moments of levity and bringing joy to others.
Everyday Life: This emotion is visible in our interactions with friends, in the lightness of laughter during social gatherings, or in moments of surprise humour during daily life.
Why it is important?: Laughter relieves tension, improves our mental health, and builds strong social connections. It reminds us to take life less seriously and enjoy the present moment. A case in point is Laughter Yoga – a proactive movement to inculcate more laughter in life!

3. Karuna or COMPASSION

What it is: Karuna represents empathy, compassion, and sorrow. This emotion involves understanding and sharing in the pain of others, as well as offering support.
Depiction In Culture: In classical dance and drama, Karuna is portrayed through gestures of care, sorrow, and consolation, often in tragic narratives or moments of deep emotional resonance.
Everyday Life: Compassion can be seen when we offer a helping hand to someone in need or when we empathize with others’ hardships.
Why it is important?: Compassion allows us to connect with self and others on a deeper level and fosters a sense of community. It is essential for emotional healing and resilience. In today’s world, we may often hold unrealistically high standards or be more critical or judgemental towards ourselves. Would we extend the same critique to others? Self compassion is key to increasing self worth and foster a better self concept.

4. Raudra or ANGER

What it is: Raudra is the Rasa of anger, fury, and wrath. It is a powerful emotion that arises in response to perceived injustice or frustration.
Depiction In Culture: Raudra is often represented through intense and dramatic expressions in battle scenes or heroic confrontations, reflecting the intensity of anger and the need to act decisively.
Everyday Life: Anger arises when we feel wronged or helpless, such as during an argument or when we witness unfair treatment.
Why it is important?: While often seen as destructive, anger can be a motivating force, pushing us to confront issues and assert boundaries. The key is learning to express it constructively and channelizing it towards one’s goals.

5. Veera or HEROISM

What it is: Veera represents courage, heroism, and valour. It embodies a sense of bravery and the desire to overcome obstacles, often for a higher cause.
Depiction In Culture: Veera is depicted in tales of great warriors, leaders, and heroes in both battle and in moments of moral triumph, showcasing determination and resilience.
Everyday Life: We experience Veera when we face challenges in our personal lives, whether standing up for someone, achieving a difficult goal, or overcoming fear.
Why it is important?: Heroism inspires us to transcend limitations and act with integrity, driving personal growth and a sense of achievement.

6. Bhayanak or FEAR

What it is: Bhayanak refers to fear, horror, and anxiety. It captures the feeling of dread or terror in response to perceived danger or the unknown.
Depiction In Culture: Fear is portrayed in dramatic and dark scenes, such as in horror films or tragedies, where suspense and uncertainty build tension.
Everyday Life: Fear can arise in various situations—whether it's the fear of failure, the fear of the unknown, or even fear of success!
Why it is important?: Fear is a primal emotion that keeps us alert and protective. However, unchecked fear can limit us. It’s about learning to manage it and face challenges head-on. The way through fear is to face fear and not shy away from fear, by overcoming some limiting beliefs entrenched within us.

7. Bibhatsa or DISGUST

What it is: Bibhatsa is the Rasa of disgust, revulsion, or aversion. It is an emotional response to things that are unpleasant, unhealthy, or morally offensive.
Depiction In Culture: It is expressed through grotesque imagery or the portrayal of decay, corruption, or ethical violations in stories or performances.
Everyday Life: We experience disgust when faced with something offensive to our senses or values, such as unethical behaviour.
Why it is important?: Disgust serves as a protective emotion, helping us avoid harmful or toxic situations. It can also signal when something is morally or ethically wrong. Self awareness must be invoked to understand the nuances of Disgust.

8. Adbhuta or WONDER

What it is: Adbhuta is the Rasa of wonder, awe, and amazement. It arises from encountering the mysterious, the beautiful, or the unexplained.
Depiction In Culture: Wonder is conveyed through fantastical or surreal art, moments of discovery, or the sublime beauty of nature.
Everyday Life: We experience wonder when we encounter something unexpected or breathtaking, like gazing at a sunset or discovering something new and exciting.
Why it is important?: Wonder expands our perception and curiosity. It invites us to embrace the unknown and fuels our creative and intellectual growth.

9. Shanta or PEACE

What it is: Shanta represents tranquillity, peace, and calm. It is the Rasa of inner harmony, where emotions settle into a state of contentment and stillness.
Depiction In Culture: Peace is portrayed through serene landscapes, gentle music, or quiet meditative moments in dance and performance.
Everyday Life: This emotion is experienced during moments of relaxation, meditation, or simply being at peace with oneself and the world around us.
Why it is important?: Peace fosters emotional balance and emotional regulation, and allows us to approach challenges with clarity and composure. It forms the foundation for mental health and emotional wellbeing.

In a Nutshell…

The Nine Rasas provide a timeless framework for understanding the depth and complexity of human emotions. By recognizing and embracing these emotions, we not only enrich our connection with our art, culture, and heritage but also gain valuable insight into our emotional state of being. Being aware of each Rasa offers a path to greater self awareness and emotional intelligence, helping us navigate the full spectrum of our thoughts, emotions, feelings and behaviours. So…