Raudra Rasa is one of the important rasa in Natyashastra and the dominant emotion or the Sthayi Bhava in this rasa is Krodha or anger. It takes its origin in the Raksasas, Danavas and very haughty human beings with a regular battle as its immediate cause. Its outcome is though the Vibhavas or determinants much as Krodha (anger), Dharsana (violation of modesty), Adhiksepa (abuse), Apamana (insult), Anrtavacana (uttering falsehoods), Vakparusya (Harsh words), Droha (animosity), Matsarya (jealousy) and kindred ones. The activities connected with Raudra Rasa are beating, tearing, harassing, chopping off, breaking, piercing, striking hurling missiles, shedding blood, seizing of weapons and similar activities.
The presentation of Raudra rasa in the dramatic performance is through the Anubhavas, such as making the eyes red, perspiring profusely, knitting of the eyebrows, clapping the hands, biting of the lips, throbbing of the cheeks, hitting the palm with the fist etc. The Vyabhicari Bhavas of this Rasa are tumultuous battle, energetic enthusiasm, impetuosity, wrath, restlessness, ferocity, profuse perspiration, trembling, rising of the hairs etc. There is Raudra in the case of others too apart from the Raksasas. But here the special prerogative is to be taken into consideration. By nature the Raksasas are very furious. They are endowed with many hands and mouths. They have tawny disheveled hairs standing up in an ugly manner. Their eyes are red and fearful. Their bodies are dark skinned and very huge. Whatever they undertake is naturally very furious, even their ordinary movements, utterance of words etc. are excessively fierce. Even those persons who imitate them are to be credited with the Raudra Rasa through the activities of fighting etc.
Raudra Rasa is produced through the excitement due to battles, hitting and striking, cutting and tearing, maiming and mutilating. Its presentation in the dramatic performance is by means of these special feats such as discharging different kinds of missiles, chopping off of the headless trunks, arms, heads etc. Thus the Raudra Rasa is seen as a fierce activity where there is much of the wielding of weapons and the movements and utterance of words etc. are very terrible and frightening.
