Page:Bengal Vaishnavism - Bipin Chandra Pal.djvu/74

ART IN BENGAL VAISHNAVISM 69 The philosophy of art in Bengal Yaishna- vism divides the rasci-s into two categories, namely, those that are permanent and those that arc accidental. The permanent rasas are called nitya in Sanskrit and Bengalee. The rasas of the other class are called agantuka or those that eome occasionally. The nine rasas of general Hindu aesthetics belong to this latter category. They are (i) sringara, that which is associated with the sex function ; (ii) hashya, that which jjroduces laughter ; (iii) admta, that which jiroduces wonder ; (iv) karttna, that which excites compassion ; (v) raudra, that which produces awe ; (vi) hhaya- naka, that which produces fear ; (vii) vibhatsa, that which produces disgust ; (viii) veera, the heroic ; and (ix) shanta, complete equani- mity. These nine rasas, may also be called natural rasas. These are produced by our contact with natural objects and phenomena. They arc the results of our objective experience. They are not necessarily the creation of our relations with other humans. We observe srin- gara even in the animal kingdom. And even in Nature we visualise sometimes the randra or the terrible, and sometimes, as before a storm bursts, shanta or absolute calm, as of a flame undisturbed by a breath of wind.