Formation of ras 

Before we go into the study of ras-formation, we need to become familiar with certain terms such as vibhâv, anubhâv, sâtvic bhâv, vyâbhichâri, sthâyi bhâv etc. Let us learn these terms and understand their definitions properly.

Vibhâv – Alankâr-Koustubh has defined it as –

“It is the cause of ras. It arouses ras in us”.

Vibhâv is classified into two types –

1. âlamban vibhâv (=what supports ras) – Sri Krishna arouses ras in the devotee’s heart. Also, the devotee’s passion for Sri Krishna causes ras to arise in the sâdhak’s heart. Here we call Sri Krishna as the ‘subject’ and the devotee as the ‘shelter’ of ras. Thus âlamban vibhâv is divided into two – subject (Sri Krishna) and shelter (the devotee).
2. uddipan vibhâv (=what excites ras) – Sri Krishna’s sweet qualities, activities, decorations, laughter, fragrance, flute, anklets, conch-shell, footprints, home, cattle-grazing pasture, Tulsi, devotees, feasts – all excite ras in us. So they are ‘uddipan vibhâv’.

Anubhâv – Alankâr-Koustubh states –

“’anu’ means ‘later’ or ‘what follows’. After ras arises in our heart, we express some symptoms externally. These are ‘anubhâv’. We also call them as ‘ras-action’.”

Example – The subject (Sri Krishna) and the devotee (shelter) express some external characters due to their passion for each other, such as – loving glances, smiles etc.

Some expressions are loud and are easily visible – such as – dancing in joy, singing, yelling, stretching, roaring, yawning, sighing heavily, not caring how others react to our love, salivating, loud laughter, hiccupping, smiling etc. These reveal our heartfelt passion. We call these anubhâvs as ‘udbhâswar anubhâv’ (openly visible). 

“When the anubhâvs (symptoms of ras-relish) are not so visible, we call them as ‘sâtvic anubhâv’ or simply ‘sâtvic-bhâv’.” – ( B.R.S.)

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has listed eight sâtvic anubhâvs in B.R.S. –

1. stupefaction
2. perspiration
3. goose flesh
4. faltering voice
5. shivering
6. paleness
7. tears
8. doom”

Vyâbhichâri bhâv – Alankâr-Koustubh explains –

“This bhâv is not constant; it lends color to the permanent bhâv.”

B.R.S. says – “it is a ‘passing’ bhâv – so we also call it ‘sanchâri’ or passing bhâv.”

Let us understand it better. Just as waves rise and fall in the sea, thus making it more beautiful, some small bhâvs appear and disappear while we continue to remain in our own permanent bhâv. These waves of bhâv lend color to the permanent bhâv. There are 33 passing bhâvs in total –

1. complete indifference
2. grief
3. humility
4. glâni¹
5. fatigue
6. arrogance
7. pride
8. doubt
9. stress
10. âveg²
11. lunacy
12. amnesia
13. sickness
14. illusion
15. death
16. lethargy
17. stupidity
18. vreedâ³
19. avahitthâ⁴
20. remembrance
21. debate
22. worry
23. intelligence
24. patience
25. joy
26. curiosity
27. ougra⁵
28. amarsha⁶
29. jealousy
30. mischievousness (or playfulness)
31. sleep
32. drowsiness
33. understanding

(to be continued)