Raslila

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Rasa Lila
)

For the 1975 film, see
Rasaleela (1975 film). For the 2012 film, see Rasaleela (2012 film)
.
For other uses, see Rasaleela (disambiguation) and Krishna Leela (disambiguation).
Krishna and Radha dancing the rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan

The Raslila (

Manipuri Raas Leela, Kuchipudi, and Kathak.[3]

The Indian classical dance of Kathak and Manipuri Raas leela are evolved from the rasalila of Braj. Kathak, also known as Natwari Nritya, was revived in the 1960s by the Kathak dancer, Uma Sharma.[4]

Etymology

The term raslila is derived from the Sanskrit words ras which means "nectar", "emotion" or "sweet taste" and lila meaning "act," "play" or "dance." Thus, it is more broadly defined as the "Dance of Divine Love" or "Sweet act of Krishna."[5] Krishna is often described in the Rāslila as Rasanath which is derived from the Sanskrit words rās and nath which means "lord", "protector" or "master". Thus, the broader meaning of this defines Krishna as Rāsanāth, the lord of the Rāsa dance.[6]

Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions

Legend

The Raslila takes place one night when the

material world is seen as a reflection of the soul's original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, in his spiritual world, Goloka.[citation needed
]

In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the rasalila attains Krishna's pure loving devotion (

Suddha-bhakti).[7] The rasalila is considered to be the "ultimate message" of the Bhagavata Purana.[5]: 1  The story starts in Vraja, where Krishna is inspired to play music on his flute. Hearing the music, the gopis leave their homes and families and make it to Krishna. When they came closer, Krishna playfully disappears and reappears. Krishna talks about love and performs rasalila with each of the gopis, assuming numerous forms. The story ends with the gopis reluctantly going back to their homes after refreshing in a nearby river.[5]
: 2 

Graham Schweig observes that a closer reading of the story leads one to see the story as a symbol of "intense devotion to God" and not a "display of worldly lust". Verse 10.33.40 of the Bhagavata states that, "the person who has heard this story will attain high devotion to the Lord, and then, sobered, he will quickly throw off lust, the disease of the heart."[8]

Schweig argues for an appreciation of the "unique vision" presented in the text in which God is "an adorable, eternally youthful cowherd boy who plays the flute and delights in amorous dalliance with his dearest devotees".[5]: 3  Schweig compares the rasalila to the "Song of Songs". He argues that just as the Song of Solomon has been ascribed the highest status in relation to other books of the Bible by mystics of the Jewish and Christian traditions, the rasalila has been considered by Vaishnava traditions to be the "crown-jewel of all acts of God".[5]: 8 

Just as a child plays at its own will with its reflection in a mirror, with the help of his Yogamaya, Krishna sported with the gopis, who are regarded to have been shadows of his own form.[9]

Performance

Rasalila has been a popular theme in

Gaudiya Vaishnavism in Nadia a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. Vanga Raas of Santipur is the main festival of this town, Nabadwip also has Shakta Raas.[citation needed
]

The raslila is also observed as one of the State Festivals of Assam which usually is celebrated during late November or early December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and satras of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and of Howly are noteworthy.[citation needed]

Krishna and Radha during Raslila in Assam
Raas Leela in Manipuri classical Indian dance style

In the tradition of

Bhagya Chandra in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on Krishna Janmashtami (the festival to celebrate Krishna's birthday). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding dandi (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and devotional music.[citation needed
]

The traditional rasalila performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the Vaishnava world as an experience of the spiritual world. Rasalila performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan,

Vallabhacharya and Vitthalanatha gusaiji made it more popular.[citation needed
]

References

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (1 January 1970). "Rasalila, Rāsalīlā, Rasa-lila: 1 definition". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  2. ISBN 978-0-231-50843-8
    .
  3. ISBN 978-1-4828-1690-7
    .
  4. ISBN 81-208-0981-5
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 0-691-11446-3
    .
  6. ^ "Nath", Wikipedia, 30 March 2024, retrieved 17 April 2024
  7. ^ Bhag-P 10.33.39 Archived 2008-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ISBN 978-0-691-19017-4
    .
  9. ^ Hanumanprasad, Poddar (1941). Gopīs' Love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Gorakhpur: Gita Press.
  10. ^ Performing Arts, Ahalya (22 December 2016). "Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance". Ahalya Performing Arts. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2020.

Further reading

  • Music in traditional Indian theatre: special reference to Raas Leela, by Rani Balbir Kaur. Shubhi Publications, 2006.
    ISBN 978-81-87226-99-4
    .

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rasa Lila.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raslila&oldid=1219387060"