View source for Ṛta

{{short description|Vedic principle of universal nature order}}
{{About|a concept in Hinduism||RTA (disambiguation){{!}}RTA}}
{{Hinduism small}}
{{italictitle}}
In the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]], '''''Ṛta''''' ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|/ɹ̩t̪ɐ/]]; [[Sanskrit]] {{lang|sa|ऋत}} ''{{IAST|ṛta}}'' "order, rhythm, rule; truth; logos") is the principle of natural order which regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within it.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Holdrege|2004|p=215}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|{{harvcoltxt|Panikkar|2001|p=350-351}} remarks: "''Ṛta'' is the ultimate foundation of everything; it is "the supreme", although this is not to be understood in a static sense. [...] It is the expression of the primordial dynamism that is inherent in everything...."}} In the hymns of the [[Vedas]], ''Ṛta'' is described as that which is ultimately responsible for the proper functioning of the natural, moral and sacrificial orders. Conceptually, it is closely allied to the injunctions and ordinances thought to uphold it, collectively referred to as ''[[Dharma]]'', and the action of the individual in relation to those ordinances, referred to as ''[[Karma]]'' – two terms which eventually eclipsed ''Ṛta'' in importance as signifying natural, religious and moral order in later [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Holdrege|2004|pp=215–216}}; {{harvcoltxt|Mahony|1998|p=3}}</ref> Sanskrit scholar [[Maurice Bloomfield]] referred to ''Ṛta'' as "one of the most important religious conceptions of the [[Rigveda]]", going on to note that, "from the point of view of the history of religious ideas we may, in fact we must, begin the history of Hindu religion at least with the history of this conception".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Bloomfield|1908|pp=12–13}}</ref>

==Etymology==
[[Vedic Sanskrit|Vedic]] {{IAST|ṛtá}} and its [[Avestan]] equivalent {{tlit|ae|[[asha|aṣ̌a]]}} both derive from [[Proto-Indo-Iranian]] {{lang|iir-x-proto|*Hr̥tás}} "truth",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/asa-means-truth-in-avestan |title=AṦA (Asha "Truth") – Encyclopaedia Iranica |publisher=Iranicaonline.org |access-date=2013-02-21}}</ref> which in turn continues [[PIE|Proto-Indo-European]] {{lang|ine-x-proto|h₂r-tós}} "properly joined, right, true", from a presumed root {{lang|ine-x-proto|h₂er-}}, making it a distant cognate of [[Latin]] {{lang|la|ordo}} and thus [[English language|English]] ''order''.
The derivative noun ''ṛta'' is defined as "fixed or settled order, rule, divine law or truth".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Monier-Williams|1899|p=223b}}</ref> 

As Mahony (1998) notes the term can be translated as "that which has moved in a fitting manner".  Although this meaning is not actually cited by authoritative Sanskrit dictionaries it is a regular derivation from the verbal root ṛ, "to move" with ta, the suffix which forms the past participle, so it can be regarded as the putative origin of the word.  More abstractly, it is translated as "universal law" or "cosmic order", or simply as "truth".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Mahony|1998|p=3}}</ref> The latter meaning dominates in the [[Avestan language|Avestan]] cognate to ''Ṛta'', ''[[Asha|aṣ̌a]]''.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Oldenberg|1894|p=30}}. Cf. also {{harvcoltxt|Thieme|1960|p=308}}</ref>

The proper [[Sanskrit]] pronunciation of the word is ṛta, the ṛ being a vocalic r, like that in pert or dirt, when pronounced with a rhotic r, e.g. as in American, followed by a short a.  The most common pronunciation of speakers of modern Indian languages is "rita", with short i and short a, due to the loss of the vocalic r by the successor languages to Sanskrit, the prakrits and modern [[Indo-Aryan languages]].

The term appears in Vedic texts and in post-Vedic texts, both as Ṛta and derivatives of the term. For example, in the 2nd-century BCE text ''[[Mahābhāṣya]]'' of [[Patanjali]], he explains ''Ṛtaka'' to be the grammatically correct form of name for a son, where then the name would mean "truthling".<ref>{{cite book|author=Hartmut Scharfe|title=Handbook of Oriental Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s19sZFRxCUC&pg=PA53|year=2002|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-12556-6|page=53}}</ref>

==Origins==
{{See also|Asha}}
In scholarship there is no common position about the origin of the concept of ''Ṛta''. Similar concepts exist in many Indo-European cultures and the names can in addition be derived from an identical root word {{lang|ine-x-proto|h₂r-tós}}. This is why some scholars take the position that the concepts in the Indo-European daughter cultures have a common ancestor in the [[Proto-Indo-European_homeland|Proto-Indo-European culture]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Lucas F. |title=Science and Religion: One Planet Many Possibilities |last2=Bauman |first2=Whitney |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |page=181}}</ref>

In contrast [[Hermann Oldenberg]] (1894) surmised that the concept of ''Ṛta'' originally arose in the [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] period from a consideration of the natural order of the world and of the occurrences taking place within it as doing so with a kind of causal necessity.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Oldenberg|1894|p=195}}</ref> Both Vedic ''Ṛta'' and Avestan ''[[Asha|aša]]'' were conceived of as having a tripartite function which manifested itself in the physical, ethical and ritual domains.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Ara|2008|p=117}}. See {{harvcoltxt|Myers|2001|pp=176–178}} for a detailed discussion of the threefold function of ''Ṛta''.</ref> In the context of [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]], those features of nature which either remain constant or which occur on a regular basis were seen to be a manifestation of the power of ''Ṛta'' in the physical cosmos.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Oldenberg|1894|p=196}}</ref> In the human sphere, ''Ṛta'' was understood to manifest itself as the imperative force behind both the moral order of society as well as the correct performance of Vedic rituals.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Oldenberg|1894|pp=197–198}}</ref> The notion of a universal principle of natural order is by no means unique to the Vedas, and ''Ṛta'' has been compared to similar ideas in other cultures, such as [[Ma'at]] in [[Ancient Egyptian religion]], [[Moirai|Moira]] and the [[Logos]] in [[Religion in ancient Greece|Greek paganism]], and the [[Dao]].<ref>Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|pp=153–168}}; {{harvcoltxt|James|1969|pp=35–36}}; {{harvcoltxt|Premnath|1994|pp=325–339}}; {{harvcoltxt|Rappaport|2002|pp=344–370}}</ref>

==Vedas==
Due to the nature of [[Vedic Sanskrit]], a term such as ''Ṛta'' can be used to indicate numerous things, either directly or indirectly, and both Indian and European scholars have experienced difficulty in arriving at fitting interpretations for ''Ṛta'' in all of its various usages in the [[Vedas]], though the underlying sense of "ordered action" remains universally evident.<ref>Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|pp=45–46}}</ref> In the [[Rigveda]], the term ''Ṛta'' appears as many as 390 times, and has been characterized as "the one concept which pervades the whole of Ṛgvedic thought".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|p=45}}</ref> The cosmic order, ''Ṛta'', has three features:<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Sharma|1990|p=16}}</ref>
* ''Gati'', the continuous movement or change.
* ''Samghatna'', a system based on interdependent parts.
* ''Niyati'', an inherent order of interdependence and movement.

''Ṛta'' appears most frequently as representing abstract concepts such as "law", "commandment", "order", "sacrifice", "truth", and "regularity", but also occasionally as physical phenomena such as the waters, the heavens or the sun as manifestations of the operation of ''Ṛta''. ''Ṛta'' is also frequently used in reference to various Vedic deities. Thus, [[Bṛhaspati]] is referred to as possessing a powerful bow with "''Ṛta'' as its string" and as one prepared to "mount the chariot of ''Ṛta''"; [[Agni]] is described as one who is "desirous of ''Ṛta''", one who is "''Ṛta''-minded" and as he who "spread Heaven and Earth by ''Ṛta''"; the [[Maruts]] are referred to as "rejoicing in the house of ''Ṛta''" and as "knowers of ''Ṛta''"; [[Ushas]] is described as having been "placed at the root of ''Ṛta''"; [[Varuna]] is praised as "having the form of ''Ṛta''" and, along with [[Mitra]] as [[Mitra-Varuna]], as "destroying the foes by ''Ṛta''" and as "professing ''Ṛta'' by ''Ṛta''". Epithets such as "born of ''Ṛta''" and "protector of ''Ṛta''" are frequently applied to numerous divinities, as well as to the sacrificial fire and the sacrifice itself.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|pp=37–65}}</ref>

Despite the abundance of such references, the gods are never portrayed as having command over ''Ṛta''. Instead, the gods serve it in the form of various roles such as its executors, agents, protectors, or instruments of its manifestation.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Brown|1992|p=373}}: "The ''Ṛta'' [...] was not created or willed by any being or beings, the gods or any other above them. It existed before them but became known by them. They were powerless to alter it; they were only agents to execute it or supervise its execution."</ref> As Day (1982) notes, the gods "do not govern ''Ṛta'' so much as immanentalize it through the particularities of divine ordinances and retributions concerning both rewards and punishments. In this sense they do not "govern" ''Ṛta''; they serve it as agents and ministers".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|pp=29–30}}</ref> Thus, the relationship between the gods and ''Ṛta'', as described in the Vedas, is one of mutual dependency.

===Riteesh===
[[File:Varunadeva.jpg|thumb|17th century watercolour depicting [[Varuna]] (here astride the [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|Makara]]), a god closely associated with ''Ṛta'' in the [[Vedas]].]]
While the concept of ''Ṛta'' as an abstract, universal principle generally remained resistant to the anthropomorphic tendencies of the Vedic period, it became increasingly associated with the actions of individual deities, in particular with those of the god [[Varuna]] as the omniscient, all-encompassing sky.<ref>See {{harvcoltxt|James|1969|pp=34–36}} for a discussion of the historical development of the relationship of Varuna to ''Ṛta''. Ramakrishna considers it possible that Varuna was originally conceived as the personalized aspect of the otherwise impersonal ''Ṛta'', and that, as the importance of ''Ṛta'' began to wane in the late Vedic and post-Vedic periods, Varuna was demoted to the position of a god of the waters. Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|pp=133–134}}</ref> Although the [[Adityas]] as a group are associated with ''Ṛta'', being referred to as "the charioteers of ''Ṛta'', dwelling in the home of ''Ṛta''", it is Varuna in particular who is identified as the "friend of ''Ṛta''".<ref>RV 7.52.9; RV 8.25.2; RV 7.40.4. Quoted in {{harvcoltxt|Ramakrishna|1965|p=113}}. For a discussion of the Adityas and their relationship to ''Ṛta'', cf. {{harvcoltxt|Heckaman|1979|pp=15–20}}.</ref> The connection of Varuna and ''Ṛta'' extended beyond the physical realm and into the sphere of ritual worship, with the sacrificial fire itself being lauded as that which "harnesses the steeds and holds the reins of ''Ṛta'', becoming Varuna when he strives for ''Ṛta''".<ref>Quoted in {{harvcoltxt|James|1969|p=35}}</ref> As [[E. O. James|James]] (1969) notes, Varuna attained the position of "universal Power ''par excellence'' maintaining ''Ṛta''" and is celebrated as having "separated and established heaven and earth, spreading them out as the upper and lower firmaments, himself enthroned above them as the universal king, ordering the immutable moral law, exercising his rule by the sovereignty of ''Ṛta''.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|James|1969|pp=36;34}}</ref>

==''Dharma''==
{{Main|Dharma}}
Already in the earliest Vedic texts, ''Ṛta'' as an ethical principle is linked with the notion of cosmic retribution. A central concept of the Ṛgveda is that created beings fulfil their true natures when they follow the path set for them by the ordinances of ''Ṛta'', and failing to follow those ordinances was thought to be responsible for the appearance of various forms of calamity and suffering.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|p=28}}. Also {{harvcoltxt|Brown|1992|p=373}}: "For example, if a man got dropsy, he knew that he had violated the ''Ṛta'', and that the god Varuna, whose duty it was to supervise enforcement of ''Ṛta'', had sent the disease as a punishment."</ref> Committing one's actions to the governance of ''Ṛta'', referred to as its "''[[Dharma]]''", was therefore understood as imperative in ensuring one's own well-being.<ref>Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Bilimoria|Prabhu|Sharma|2007|p=33}}: "Since to do what is right safeguards the good of all qua ''Ṛta'', it is assumed that it is more or less obligatory to do or perform the right acts."</ref> In this vein, the individual who follows the ordinances of nature can be described as one who acts according to the "''Dharma'' of ''Ṛta''".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|p=45}}</ref> ''Dharma'', then, was originally conceived of as a "finite or particularized manifestation of ''Ṛta'' inasmuch as it represents that aspect of the universal Order which specifically concerns the mundane natural, religious, social and moral spheres as expressed in ritualistic regulations, public laws, moral principles and laws of nature".<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|pp=42–43}}</ref>

Though originally understood as a subordinate component of the essentially metaphysical concept of ''Ṛta'', ''Dharma'' eventually grew to overshadow ''Ṛta'' in prominence in later Vedic and early Hindu literature. According to Day (1982), the concept of ''Dharma'', <blockquote>...became so useful for framing religious, moral and social regulations, that interest in it and discussion of its applications to social and moral order eclipsed all discussions of metaphysical and theological ideas. Since, moreover, ''Dharma'' was made the central subject of a literary tradition which was to become vast and extensive throughout India, while the conception of ''Ṛta'' remained largely confined to the Vedas and their commentaries, it naturally took possession of brāhmaṇical thinking even at the expense of older, exalted concepts and conceptions.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|p=42}}</ref></blockquote>

==''Karma''==
As the notion of ''Dharma'' shifted emphasis away from the gods as executors of ''Ṛta'' and towards the individual as upholding ''Ṛta'' through their actions, the ethical responsibility and culpability of the individual received an increasing amount of emphasis towards the end of the Vedic period.<ref>Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Rukmani|2008|p=157}}; {{harvcoltxt|Davis|1990|p=320}}. Also {{harvcoltxt|Leslie|1992|pp=52–53}}.</ref> Central to the discussion of such culpability is the notion of ''[[Karma]]''. ''Karma'' ({{lit|action}}) refers to the works one performs, which can occur either in congruence with or in opposition to ''Dharma'' – and thus, to ''Ṛta'' – and which are posited to stand in a causal relationship to the pains and pleasures one experiences in life.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Myers|2001|p=184}}</ref>

The emergence of ''Karma'' as a central doctrine of the late Vedic and early Hindu tradition is due in part to the problem of [[theodicy]]. Given the inherent goodness of ''Ṛta'' and its absolute power over the operation of the universe, the presence of gross inequality and injustice in the world represented a serious religious, philosophical and ethical dilemma. The notion of ''Karma'' helped to overcome this problem as it was conceived as a "law of moral causation" which effectively excused the gods and ''Ṛta'' from the appearance of evil in the world, placing the responsibility for the same squarely upon the individual.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|p=78}}; {{harvcoltxt|Neufeldt|1986|p=2}}</ref>

Being an extension of ''Ṛta'', ''Karma'' was conceived of as operating with the same absolute efficiency.<ref>Cf. {{harvcoltxt|Kapur-Fic|1998|p=96}}; {{harvcoltxt|Brown|1992|p=373}}; {{harvcoltxt|Mahadevan|2000|p=37}}</ref> As Day (1982) notes, "acts are causally determinative in accordance with their good or evil nature, and their out-workings are inexorable; there is no intrusive or arbitrary factor which might overcome their potentiality for causing retributional effects, or otherwise interfering with the strictly mechanical efficiency of ''Karma''. Since, moreover, an individual's fortunes and misfortunes are solely the outcome of his past actions, he has no ground for believing that life is kindlier or harsher than is deserved. He has no cause either for praising God's benevolence nor for lamenting God's wrath."<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Day|1982|p=77}}</ref>

==In proper names==
''Ṛta-'' or ''arta-'' sometimes appears as an element in Vedic and Indic personal names, as with Iranian.<ref name="Boyce_1987_390">{{harvcoltxt|Boyce|1987|p=390}}</ref>

In India the vocalic 'ṛ' of Sanskrit is transformed into the modern 'ri', or in South India, 'ru'.  Indian names include:
* Rita
* Ruta 
* Ritambhar
* Ritik 
* Ritvik
* Ritesh 

Mitanni (non-Indian, Vedic) names include:
* [[Artatama I]]
* [[Artashumara]]
* Artamanya, leader of Ziribashani<ref>{{Cite book|title=Amarna Personal Names |author=Hess|pages=38|publisher=Eisenmans | year=1993}}</ref>

==See also==
{{wiktionary|ऋत}}
*[[Arthashastra]]
*[[Asha]] (Zoroastrianism)
* Darna ([[Romuva (religion)|Romuva]])
* [[Dharma]] ([[Indian religions]])
*[[Logos]]
*[[Maat]] (Egyptian religion)
*[[Me (mythology)|Me]] (Sumerian religion)
*[[Moirai|Moira]] (Greek paganism)
*[[Tao]] (Chinese Taoism)
*[[Wyrd]] (Germanic paganism)
*[[Rod_(Slavic_religion)|Rod-Rodzanice]] or [[Prav-Yav-Nav|Prav]] (Slavic paganism)

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Sources==
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{{refend}}

{{Indian philosophy}}
{{Social and political philosophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rta}}
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Varuna]]
[[Category:Value (ethics)]]
[[Category:Historical Vedic religion]]