Ashta Nayika (Eight kinds of Heroines)
The Ashta-Nayika is a collective name for eight types of nayikas or heroines as classified by Bharata in his Sanskrit treatise on performing arts - Natya Shastra. The eight nayikas represent eight different states (avastha) in relationship to her hero or nayaka
Vāsakasajjā Nayika (वासकसज्जा नायिका) -One who is ready and dressed up for such a union: eagerly expecting her lover and the pleasures of love-making, she joyfully decorates herself and is ready.
Virahotkanthitā Nayika (विरहोत्कंठिता नायिका) - Suffering separation: her lover does not turn up, busy with other matters, and she is sad because of his absence.
Svādhinā-bhartrukā Nayika (स्वाधीनभर्तृका नायिका) - Husband under control: her husband would be by her side, as if tied to her by the intense pleasure of union with her, as well as by her pleasing qualities.
Kalahāntaritā Nayika (कलहांतरिता नायिका)-Alienated due to quarrel; she is burning with jealousy and hatred, as her lover has gone away due to a querrel.
Khanditā Nayika (खंडिता नायिका) - Enraged: one whose lover, attached to another, does not come.
Vipralabdhā Nayika (विप्रलब्धा नायिका) - Deceived, a heroine of the above type whose lover does not ome after making a tryst.
Proshita-bhartrukā Nayika (प्रोषितभर्तृका नायिका) - Lover away on duty: for the sake of his duties, the lover has gone away, while she sits with her hair undressed.
Abhisārikā Nayika (अभिसारिका नायिका) - is a heroine who, overpowered by love or lust, shamelessly goes to her lover herself.
Acting of these heroines
The four heroines whose lovers are absent for reasons mentioned above should express their condition by anxiety, sighs, lassitude, talking with their female friends, referring to their lot, weakness, tears, anger, throwing off the ornaments, rubbing their hands, sorrow and weeping.
A woman with her husband (lover) under her control should have brilliant and beautiful costumes, her face beaming with joy and looking extremely beautiful.
Whether a courtesan or a noble born, or a maid servant, a woman, when an Abhisārikā, should act as follows:
If a courtesan, she must deck herself with various ornaments, and, in the company of her servants, must walk slowly. If a highborn lady, she should cover herself with a veil and walk timidly and with downcast eyes in a lurking manner. If a maid-servant, she should walk with uneven steps, eyes beaming with joy, gesturing and babbling under the influence of intoxication.
If the lover is in bed and asleep, she should awaken him in the following manner. A high born lady should awaken him with the sound of her ornaments, a courtesan by her scents, and a maid-servant by fanning him with her clothes.