9. 10 CHAPTER I

10 CHAPTER I

LIMITATIONS OF THE WORK

Bharata wrote his work with a view to giving necessary instructions to dramatists and actors. Larger portion of the work is devoted to the four types of acting (Abhinaya). For the present we shall restrict ourselves to expounding his view from the point of view of the dramatist. We shall, therefore, attempt to state (i) What is it that the dramatist presents in his drama (ii) What are its consti- tuents and how are they related. (iii) What is the method of dramatising an imaginary or historical plot. (iv) What are the subjective conditions, necessary in the spectator, for getting æsthetic experience from dramatic presentation.

RASA AS AESTHETIC OBJECT. The word "Rasa" in Sanskrit is used in a variety! of meanings. In common language, which follows the Vaisesika system, it is used for the quality, cognisable through the sense of taste. As such it is of six kinds, sweet, sour and saltish ete. In Ayurveda it is used for a certain white liquid2, extracted by the digestive system from the food. Its main seat is the heart. Therefrom it proceeds to arteries and nourishes the whole system. It also stands for liquid in general, extracted from any fruit or flower etc., inclination, liking or desire, mineral or metallic salt and mercury.

In the context of æsthetics, however, it stands for the æsthetic object. It has a highly technical meaning, though even in the technical sense it retains the element of original meaning, namely, the object of relish, not sensuous but æsthetic.

1. A. Bh., Vol. I. 289. 2. S. C. IV. 71.