Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Adbhuta Rasa! Each emotion is a thread woven into human experience.
These emotions, or rasas, are not just feelings—they are profound expressions that transcend the ordinary, revealing the very essence of our existence.
Among the myriad rasas lies one that is particularly elusive, one that captures a moment where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, where reality seems to shimmer with the unknown.
Imagine a sensation that can stop you in your tracks, leave you breathless, and make your heart race. It’s that indescribable moment when something beyond comprehension unfolds before your eyes. That challenges the limits of your understanding and leaves you with an insatiable desire to see more.
This rasa is not just a fleeting feeling—it’s an experience that touches the core of your being, awakening something ancient and primal.
But what is this mysterious rasa? What triggers it, and how does it manifest?
Come, let’s explore.
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What is Adbhuta Rasa?
Imagine standing at the base of a tall mountain with its peak hidden in mist. Or picture seeing the bright colors of a sunset filling the sky. These experiences make us feel amazed and deeply present. They can leave us speechless and enchanted. This feeling is what we call Adbhuta Rasa.
Adbhuta Rasa comes alive when we encounter the new, the surprising, and the beautiful. It’s that childlike joy we feel when our eyes see something incredible, like nature’s wonders, great works of art, or big life changes.
This rasa helps us remember the beauty and mystery all around us. It encourages us to stop, look closely, and appreciate what we see.
The Nāṭyaśāstra introduces Adbhuta Rasa with the following verse:
अथाद्भुतो नाम विस्मयस्थायिभावात्मकः ।
athādbhuto nāma vismayasthāyibhāvātmakaḥ |
Meaning:
"Now, Adbhuta (Wonder) is characterized by the dominant emotion of amazement."
This verse sets the stage for understanding Adbhuta Rasa, where the primary emotion (Sthāyibhāva) is one of astonishment. It is this overwhelming sense of wonder that gives rise to the Adbhuta experience.
Determinants (Vibhāvas) of Adbhuta Rasa
The determinants (vibhāvas) of Adbhuta rasa in Indian art include surprising events, beautiful sights, and amazing happenings. These elements spark feelings of wonder and surprise in the audience, leading to strong emotions.
In acting, performers use lively facial expressions and special behaviors to express Adbhuta rasa. This creates a bond between the actor and the audience. Every performance, whether in theater or watercolor art, aims to inspire deep feelings of awe and respect, connecting with the audience’s own experiences.
Adbhuta Rasa is evoked by certain stimuli or determinants, known as Vibhāvas, which create an environment conducive to the feeling of wonder.
These include:
- Seeing Divine Beings: The vision of celestial entities or deities.
- Attaining Desired Objects: Fulfillment of deep-seated desires and wishes.
- Visiting Gardens and Temples: Encounters with beautiful or sacred spaces.
- Attending Assemblies or Ceremonies: Participation in grand or significant events.
- Aerial Vehicles (Vimānas): Experiencing something as magical as flying chariots.
- Magic and Illusions: Witnessing acts of sorcery or the supernatural.
स च दिव्यजनदर्शनेप्सितमनोरथावाप्त्युपवनदेवकुलादिगमनसभाविमानमायेन्द्रजालसम्भावनादिभिर्विभावैरुत्पद्यते ।
sa ca divyajanadarśanepsitamanorathāvāptyupavanadevakulādigamanasabhāvimānamāyendrajālasambhāvanādibhirvibhāvairutpadyate |
Meaning:
"It arises from determinants such as seeing divine beings, attaining desired objects, visiting gardens, temples, assembly halls, aerial vehicles, magic, and illusions."
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Expressions (Anubhāvas) of Adbhuta Rasa
The feelings (anubhāvas) of Adbhuta Rasa are strong and clear. They create wonder and amazement in the audience.
Indian classical performers use facial expressions and gestures to show this special emotion. They draw viewers in with a magical atmosphere.
Bright costumes and detailed movements add to the charm of Adbhuta Rasa. This makes it an enchanting experience for everyone who sees it.
The feeling of wonder manifests in a variety of physical and emotional expressions, known as Anubhāvas.
These expressions are observable reactions to the stimulus that has evoked the rasa:
- Widened Eyes: A natural reaction to seeing something astonishing.
- Unblinking Gaze: The inability to look away from something awe-inspiring.
- Horripilation (Goosebumps): A physical response to intense emotions.
- Tears: Often tears of joy or overwhelming emotion.
- Perspiration: Reflecting the intensity of the experience.
- Delight: Manifested through exclamations of joy and praise.
- Exclamations of Praise: Voicing admiration or amazement.
- Gifts: Offering something in reverence or awe.
- Gestures of Arms, Face, and Fingers: Expressive movements that accompany the feeling of wonder.
तस्य नयनविस्तारानिमेषप्रेक्षणरोमाञ्चाश्रुस्वेदहर्षसाधुवाददानप्रबन्धहाहाकारबाहुवदनचेलाङ्गुलिभ्रमणादिभिरनुभावैरभिनयः प्रयोक्तव्यः ।
tasya nayanavistārānimeṣaprekṣaṇaromāñcāśrusvedaharṣasādhuvādadānaprabandhahāhākārabāhuvadanacelāṅgulibhramaṇādibhiranubhāvairabhinayaḥ prayoktavyaḥ |
Meaning:
"Its expressions are through widened eyes, unblinking gaze, horripilation, tears, perspiration, delight, exclamations of praise, gifts, continuous exclamations, gestures of arms, face, and fingers."
Transitory States (Vyabhicāribhāvas) of Adbhuta Rasa
The transitory states of Adbhuta rasa show brief but deep feelings of wonder and amazement. These emotions come from small changes in facial expressions, movement, or sound.
Performers expertly handle these feelings to draw the audience into a world full of magic and awe. By using facial expressions and body language, they illustrate the true nature of Adbhuta rasa. This makes the ordinary feel extraordinary, exciting viewers with a sense of delight that feels out of this world.
Adbhuta Rasa is also associated with several transitory emotions, known as Vyabhicāribhāvas.
These fleeting states enhance and complement the rasa, contributing to the overall experience of wonder:
- Immobility: A temporary paralysis due to shock or awe.
- Tears: As a transient reaction, different from the steady flow associated with deeper emotions.
- Perspiration: A reaction to the overwhelming nature of the experience.
- Choked Voice: The inability to speak due to being overwhelmed.
- Horripilation: The sudden onset of goosebumps in response to stimuli.
- Excitement: Heightened energy and anticipation.
- Bewilderment: Confusion or amazement at something unexpected.
- Stupor: A dazed state caused by an overwhelming experience.
- Fainting: A complete loss of consciousness due to extreme wonder.
भावाश्चास्य स्तम्भाश्रुस्वेदगद्गदरोमाञ्चावेगसम्भ्रमजडताप्रलयादयः ।
bhāvāścāsya stambhāśrusvedagadgadaromāñcāvegasambhramajaḍatāpralayādayaḥ |
Meaning:
"Its transitory states include immobility, tears, perspiration, choked voice, horripilation, excitement, bewilderment, stupor, and fainting."
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Frequently Asked Questions
Adbhuta Rasa is special among the Navarasas because it creates a feeling of pure wonder. Unlike other rasas that connect to certain situations or human relationships, Adbhuta Rasa rises above these limits. It comes from a deep sense of astonishment and awe.
Anytime! We can feel Adbhuta Rasa in simple things if we pay attention. Watching a spider weave its web, seeing a sunset, or hearing an emotional song can bring a sense of wonder and excitement to our daily lives.
The Navarasas, originating from ancient Indian aesthetics and performing arts, represent nine emotional states that form the foundation of artistic expression. In Sanskrit, “nava” means nine, and “rasa” translates to essence or emotion. Here are the nine rasas:
Shringara (Love, Beauty)
Hasya (Laughter, Humor)
Karuna (Compassion, Sadness)
Raudra (Anger, Fury)
Veera (Courage, Valor)
Bhayanaka (Fear, Terror)
Bibhatsa (Disgust, Aversion)
Adbhuta (Wonder, Amazement)
Shantha (Peace, Tranquility)
The idea of Navarasa says that nine basic emotions are part of being human. These emotions can be brought out through different forms of art. The theory claims that art should do more than just entertain. It should also make people feel certain emotions. This helps build a stronger connection between the art and its audience.
Conclusion: The Allure of Wonder in Art and Life
The lasting charm of Adbhuta Rasa is its power to take us away. It helps us feel a wonder that we often forget. From the lively traditions and stories to amazing experiences, Adbhuta Rasa shows us how strong the human spirit is.
It inspires us to find beauty in our surroundings. When we embrace this rasa in art and life, we can awaken our childlike curiosity.
Our experiences are richer and remind us of the magic in even the simplest moments.
The Nāṭyaśāstra beautifully encapsulates the essence of Adbhuta Rasa with the following verse:
यत्त्वातिशयार्थयुक्तं वाक्यं शिल्पं च कर्मरूपं वा ।
तत्सर्वमद्भुतरसे विभावरूपं हि विज्ञेयम् ॥
yattvātiśayārthayuktaṃ vākyaṃ śilpaṃ ca karmarūpaṃ vā |
tatsarvamadbhutarase vibhāvarūpaṃ hi vijñeyam ||
Meaning:
"Any speech, art, or action that is imbued with excellence should be known as a determinant of the Adbhuta Rasa."
This adbhuta verse emphasizes that anything extraordinary, whether in speech, art, or action, catalyzes the experience of wonder. Adbhuta Rasa, thus, is not just confined to the realm of drama or performance but extends to all aspects of life where excellence and the extraordinary are present.
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At Natya-Shastra.in, our mission is to serve as a gateway to the illustrious world of the NāṭyaŚāstra, offering insights, resources, and a platform to delve deeper into the nuances of Indian performing arts. We aim to bring forth the richness of this ancient text, shedding light on the profound wisdom it holds and its everlasting influence on various artistic traditions.
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