Use of Rasa Aesthetics in Harsha Vardhana Shiladitya's Play Nagananda

Abstract

This research explores the aesthetics of rasa from Bharat Natyasastra and Abhinaya Gupta's writings in Harsha Vardhana Shiladitya'sNagananda. Thispaper deals about Jimutabahana, the main character who scarifies his life to preserve Naga from the Garud. This research triesto excavate the emotions of the protagonist, Jimutabahana and the causes behind his sacrifice forthe Nagas. Rasa explored in the play heightensthe emotions and intellectual strength of the audience. Harshavardana presents different evidences of historical glories and myth to portray the emotions of ancient man Jimutabahana. It presents excessive suffering and emotions to give meaning of life by using aesthetics rasa. The theory of aesthetics rasa is as old as the concept of human cognition and imagination, because this theory is associated with the human faculty of mind. The research paper,opposingthe idea of religious and replica of Harshavardana, it generates the idea to analyze and understand the texts through the lens of Rasa Aesthetics. Key Words: Natyasastra, Aesthetics, Rasa Theory, Self-sacrifice, Emotions,Morality