[Revised entry by Joerg Tuske on October 30, 2025.
Changes to: Main text, Bibliography]
In Indian literature, emotions are discussed in several different contexts (Bilimoria and Wenta 2015b; Torella 2015): first, within aesthetics (rasa). The word rasa can mean juice, sap, essence, condiment or even flavour and refers to the different sentiments invoked by a work of art, for example a piece of music. Secondly, emotions are discussed within the context of the bhakti (devotional) movement. Here particular emphasis is placed on cultivating the emotion of love for a supreme being, e.g.,…