CHAPTER EIGHT

THE GESTURES OF MINOR LIMBS

The sages question.

1-2. Through your kindness we have heard in due order everything relating to the origin of the States (bhāva)¹ and Sentiments (rasa)².– We shall now like to know also what the experts say about the different kinds of Histrionic Representation, their meanings and different subdivisions.

3. O the blessed one, you are also to teil us accurately what kinds of Histrionic Representation are to be applied to which [places or occasions] by persons aiming at the Success.

Bharata answers.

4. On these words of the sages, Bharata spoke thus relating to the four kinds of Histrionic Representation.

5. “O sages, I shall now speak to you in detail so that the Histrionic Representation becomes properly explained to you.

¹We shall speak of [the fact that] the abhinaya (Histrionic Representation) is of four kinds. The question is, “Why is it called the abhinaya ?” It is said in reply to this that the abhinaya is derived from the prefix abhi, and the verbal root nī meaning ‘to cause to get’ (to attain), and the sufix ac attached to these two. Hence a [full] answer to this should be made after a consideration of the root and its meaning.

There is a Śloka on this point :

6. As the root nī preceded by abhi means ‘carrying the performances (prayoga) of a play [to the point of direct] ascertainment

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1-2 (B.G. same). ¹ See NŚ. VIII. ² See NŚ. VI.
3 (B.G. same). 4 (B.G. same).
5 (B.5-6, G.5). ³ This portion till the beginning of 6 is originally in prose. 6 (B.7, G.6).