Bhava

The term "bhāva" (Skt. भाव, 'status of being, a subjective becoming, states of mind', from भू bhū, 'to become') is often translated as 'feeling, emotion, mood, devotional state of mind'. In Buddhist thought, bhāva denotes the continuity of life and death, including reincarnation, and the maturation arising therefrom. In the bhakti traditions, bhāva denotes the mood of ecstasy, self-surrender, and channelling of emotional energies that is induced by the maturation of devotion to one's ishtadeva (object of devotion).

In Buddhism

In Buddhism, bhava (not bhāva) is the continuity of life and death, conditioned upon "grasping" (upādāna), the desire for further life and sensation. This bhava is the condition for the arising of living beings in particular forms, through the process of birth (jāti).

Bhava is listed as the tenth of the Twelve Nidānas, the links in the cycle of pratītyasamutpāda or dependent origination.

In the Jātakas, in which the Buddha didactically reminds various followers of experiences they shared with him in a past life, the hearers are said not to remember them due to bhava, i.e. to having been reborn.

Indian aesthetics

Indian art evolved with an emphasis on inducing special spiritual or philosophical states in the audience, or with representing them symbolically.

Rasa theory

Introduction

Of particular concern to Indian drama and literature are the term 'bhAva' or the state of mind and rasa (Sanskrit रस lit. 'juice' or 'essence') referring generally to the emotional flavors/essence crafted into the work by the writer and relished by a 'sensitive spectator' or sahṛdaya or one with positive taste and mind. Rasas are created by bhavas. They are described by Bharata Muni in the Nātyasāstra, an ancient work of dramatic theory.

Although the concept of rasa is fundamental to many forms of Indian art including dance, music, musical theatre, cinema and literature, the treatment, interpretation, usage and actual performance of a particular rasa differs greatly between different styles and schools of abhinaya, and the huge regional differences even within one style.

Experience of rasa (rasAnubhava)

A rasa is the developed relishable state of a permanent mood, which is called sthAyI bhAva. This development towards a relishable state results by the interplay on it of attendant emotional conditions which are called Vibhavas, anubhAvas and sancharI/ vyAbhichArI bhavas. The production of aesthetic rasa from bhAvas is analogous to the production of tastes/juices of kinds from food with condiments, curries, pastes and spices. This is explained by the quote below:

Bhava (king)

Bhava or Bhavayavya was a king who lived on the banks of the Indus, eulogized in RV 1.126. His son Savanya or Bhavya is the subject of 1.125, where he has a discussion with a wandering priest. The two hymns are among the very few dedicated to mortals in the Rigveda.