Bhuktivada they of rasa was propounded by Bhatta Nayaka, the author of Hridaya Darpana, which is not available now. He is post-Anandavardhana and prior to Abhinavagupta. Bhatta Nayaka questions both the earlier theories of the production and inference of rasa. Rasa cannot be produced because the causes, which are non-existent now, cannot yield the result. It cannot be inferred either, since the real character like King Dushyanta does not exist now. The question of inferring his emotions does not, hence, arise at all. The spectator, in no way, is in love with the heroine of a drama like Abhijnana Shakuntalam nor does he assume himself to be Dushyanta.
Bhatta
Nayaka postulates that besides abidha (the poetic expression), there is the
relationship of bhojaka (the enjoyer) and bhojya (the enjoyed). A character
like Shakuntala is viewed not as an individual but as a woman in general and
Dushyanta’s love towards her is taken in general without any encumbrance of an
individual or agent. It is this, a specific delectation which leads to
rasa-realization, distinct from the worldly levels of happiness and something
almost at par with brahmasvada-sahodara (the divine bliss).