[1] It is believed Rupa Goswami developed, under the direct guidance of Caitanya, the articulated and formulated theology of rasa as "the soul's particular relationship with the divinity in devotional love".
[2] Rupa's text draws largely from the foundational theory of rasa formed by Bharata Muni, the originator of Sanskrit dramaturgy (perhaps as early as the 2nd century BCE).
[7] Rasa's earliest use in aesthetics appears in Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra, initially related to drama, particularly its poetic aspects.
Post-Abhinavgupta, rasas associated with non-romantic forms of love were proposed, notably vatsalya (tenderness), preyas (camaraderie), and prita (veneration).
Vaishṇava thinkers began to consider bhakti (devotion) as a rasa, merging aesthetic and religious perspectives, a concept extensively explored by Rupa Goswami.