ऋत
Rta
ṛta
In simple words
Rta is an early Vedic word for the order of the universe: the regular path of the sun, the seasons, truth and right ritual all follow rta. Later, the idea of dharma took over much of its meaning.
What is it?
Rta is the Rigvedic concept of the order that governs the cosmos, the ritual and human conduct. Natural regularities, the correct performance of sacrifice and truthful action are all aligned with rta, and deities such as Varuna and Mitra are described as its guardians. In later literature the term becomes less prominent as dharma, karma and yajna take over its functions. Scholars trace a line from rta through the Gita's cycle of sacrifice to later ideas of cosmic and moral order.
Scholar’s note
Rta is paired with satya (truth) and contrasted with anrta (disorder, falsehood) in the Rigveda. Its Indo-Iranian cognate is the Avestan asha. The Gita does not use the term prominently, but 3.14–16 presents a cycle of yajna sustaining the world that many readers connect with the older idea. Sikh hukam and Tamil aram are sometimes compared with rta, though they arise in different contexts.How its meaning differs
In the Rigveda, rta is the cosmic, ritual and moral order upheld by the gods, especially Varuna, and embodied in truth and correct sacrifice.
Mimamsa does not centre on rta by name, but its focus on the eternal Veda and precise ritual continues the concern for order through correct action.
Vedanta generally subsumes cosmic order under Ishvara's governance and the law of karma.
Some readers compare rta with the Sikh concept of hukam, the divine order, while noting that hukam is the command of a personal Creator.
Where it appears in the Gita
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भव:।
सम्पूर्ण प्राणी अन्नसे उत्पन्न होते हैं। अन्नकी उत्पत्ति वर्षासे होती है। वर्षा यज्ञसे होती है। यज्ञ कर्मोंसे सम्पन्न होता है। कर्मोंको (तू) वेदसे उत्पन्न जान (और) वेदको अक्षर ब्रह्मसे प्रकट हुआ (जान)। इसलिये (वह) सर्वव्यापी परमात्मा यज्ञ (कर्तव्य-कर्म)-में नित्य स्थित है।
3.15कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्।
सम्पूर्ण प्राणी अन्नसे उत्पन्न होते हैं। अन्नकी उत्पत्ति वर्षासे होती है। वर्षा यज्ञसे होती है। यज्ञ कर्मोंसे सम्पन्न होता है। कर्मोंको (तू) वेदसे उत्पन्न जान (और) वेदको अक्षर ब्रह्मसे प्रकट हुआ (जान)। इसलिये (वह) सर्वव्यापी परमात्मा यज्ञ (कर्तव्य-कर्म)-में नित्य स्थित है।
3.16एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह य:।
हे पार्थ! जो मनुष्य इस लोकमें इस प्रकार (परम्परासे) प्रचलित सृष्टि-चक्रके अनुसार नहीं चलता, वह इन्द्रियोंके द्वारा भोगोंमें रमण करनेवाला अघायु (पापमय जीवन बितानेवाला) मनुष्य (संसारमें) व्यर्थ ही जीता है।
Where else it appears
Follow this idea
Trace the idea from one source to the next.
- 1TraditionवैदिकVedic & Upanishadic foundationsRta in the Vedic hymns: cosmic, ritual and moral order.
- 2Conceptयज्ञYajna — sacrifice, offeringSacrifice as the means of upholding order.
- 3Gita verseBhagavad Gita 3.14The Gita's cycle of food, rain and sacrifice.
- 4Gita verseBhagavad Gita 3.16One who does not follow this cycle lives in vain.
- 5Conceptधर्मDharmaDharma as the later heir of rta.
- 6Conceptहुक्मHukamCompare the Sikh idea of divine order.
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