Rasa (theology)

Rasa (theology)

Rasa (IAST rāsa) is a Sanskrit theological concept specific to Krishna-centered bhakti traditions, such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The theological use of the word can be found early, about two thousand years before the Nimbarka or Caitanya schools of bhakti, in a phrase that Chaitanya traditions frequently quote: "Truly, the Lord is rasa" (raso vai sah) of the Taittiriya Upanishad. This statement expresses the view that God is the one who enjoys the ultimate rasa, or spiritual rapture and emotions.

It is believed Rupa Goswami developed, under the direct guidance of Caitanya, the articulated and formulated theology of rasa as "the soul's particular relationship with the divinity in devotional love".

Rupa's text draws largely from the foundational theory of rasa formed by Bharata Muni, the originator of Sanskrit dramaturgy, or Natya Sastra (perhaps as early as the 2nd century BCE). These relationships with the divinity in devotional love, rasa, can closely resemble the variety of loving feelings that humans experience with one another, such as beloved-lover, friend-friend, parent-child, and master-servant. Rasas are distinguished as lower and higher and according to Bhagavad Gita it appears that the three higher rasas are acknowledged and preferred by Arjuna. The higher rasas are described as loving, friendly, and fraternal types of relationships.