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Nāṭya, Gandharva, Rasa & Alaṅkāra • Classical Treatises (Śāstra)

Nāṭyaśāstra

नाट्यशास्त्रम्

The Nāṭyaśāstra attributed to sage Bharata Muni is the foundational classical treatise on Indian dramaturgy, theatre architecture, performance, music, dance (Tāṇḍava, Karaṇas), and the seminal theory of aesthetic sentiment (Rasa).

Canonical Code NS
Canonical URN (CTS)
urn:cts:poorvam:corpus.natyasastra
Sections 6 Chapters
Textual Extent 971 Verses
Textual Background

Scholarly Framework

Classical Sanskrit Treatise • Nāṭya, Gandharva, Rasa & Alaṅkāra

Composed between 200 BCE and 200 CE, the Nāṭyaśāstra designates dramatic art as the 'Fifth Veda' (Nāṭyaveda) synthesised from Ṛgveda (recitation), Sāmaveda (music), Yajurveda (histrionic representation/Abhinaya), and Atharvaveda (sentiment/Rasa). It is preserved with the seminal Kashmirian commentary Abhinavabhāratī by Ācārya Abhinavagupta.

PORE Project Linking: Any verse in this corpus can be directly attached to your research project dossier. Use citation codes like NS 1.1 or CTS URN urn:cts:poorvam:corpus.natyasastra in research projects to anchor arguments directly in primary sources.
PORE Research Network

Active Research Projects Interrogating this Text

1 Project Linked
Scholarly Apparatus

Critical Introductions & Terminology

HISTORICAL CRITIQUE 10 Narrative Parts

Classical Indian Dramatic Theory: A Ten-Part Scholarly Exposition

Explore the philosophical foundations, canonical context, textual history, and critical scholarship across 10 narrative parts.

LEXICON & GRAMMAR 31 Defined Terms

Scholarly Glossary & Lexicon (शब्दकोशः)

Searchable terminology with Sanskrit definitions, English glosses, lexical notes, grammatical categories, and linked verse occurrences.

Canonical Structure

Table of Contents

6 Complete Chapters Available
CHAPTER 01 134 Verses

Nāṭyotpatti

नाट्योत्पत्तिः

Narrates the divine creation of Nāṭyaveda (the Fifth Veda) by Lord Brahmā uniting Pāṭhya from Ṛgveda, Gāna from Sāmaveda, Abhinaya...

Open Reader → NS 1.1–134
CHAPTER 02 112 Verses

Maṇḍapa Vidhāna (Nāṭyagṛha Nirūpaṇa)

मण्डपविधानम्

Systematic architectural treatise describing measurement units (Hasta, Daṇḍa), sacred geometry, and nine playhouse configurations ...

Open Reader → NS 2.1–112
CHAPTER 03 106 Verses

Raṅgadaivata Pūjana

रङ्गदैवतपूजनम्

Sacred ritual consecration of the theatrical space (Raṅgapūjā) and invocation of guardian deities presiding over specific sectors ...

Open Reader → NS 3.1–106
CHAPTER 04 331 Verses

Tāṇḍavalakṣaṇa

ताण्डवलक्षणम्

Comprehensive choreography of Lord Śiva's cosmic dance, enumerating and defining 108 Karaṇas (fundamental synchronized postures of...

Open Reader → NS 4.1–331
CHAPTER 05 184 Verses

Pūrvaraṅgavidhāna

पूर्वरङ्गविधानम्

Detailed exposition of ritual preliminaries before the performance begins, divided into Antaryavanikā (behind the curtain: Āśrāvaṇ...

Open Reader → NS 5.1–184
CHAPTER 06 104 Verses

Rasādhyāya (Rasavikalpa)

रसाध्यायः

The seminal foundation of Indian aesthetics articulating the celebrated Rasa Sūtra: 'Vibhāvānubhāvavyabhicārisaṃyogād rasaniṣpatti...

Open Reader → NS 6.1–104