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The word ''ṛta'' has no equivalent in English but can loosely be translated as the ‘cosmic order in the universe,’ ‘divine law governing the universe,’  

The word ''ṛta'' has no equivalent in English but can loosely be translated as the ‘cosmic order in the universe,’ ‘divine law governing the universe,’  

The word ''ṛta'' is derived from the root word ''ṛ'' which means ''‘dynamism,’ ‘vibrancy,’ ‘seasoning,’ and ‘belongingness.''’<ref name=":0">''Foundations of Sanātana Dharma'' by ''Śatāvadhāni'' Dr. R Ganesh ([http://indiafacts.org/the-pillars/ http://indiafacts.org/the-pillars/)]</ref>

The word ''ṛta'' is derived from the root word ''ṛ'' which means ''‘dynamism,’ ‘vibrancy,’ ‘seasoning,’ and ‘belongingness.''’<ref name=":0">''Foundations of Sanātana Dharma'' by ''Śatāvadhāni'' Dr. R Ganesh ([http://indiafacts.org/the-pillars/ http://indiafacts.org/the-pillars/)]</ref> The six synonyms of Rta in the Nighantu are as follows<blockquote>बट्, श्रत्, सत्रा, अद्धा, इत्था, ऋतम् इति सत्यस्य [ ऋतम् इति षट् सत्यनामानि] | १० |<ref>Nighantu ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>The Nirukta (10.41) understands rta to mean water. The Vedic god Varuṇa identified with water and the oceans is frequently referred to as the protector of ''ṛta''. The symbolism of water and the ocean in connection with ''ṛta'' is profound.<ref name=":3">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1953) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law in India), Volume 4.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>

 

The Nirukta X 41 understands rta to mean water and explains X 23-8 as '...तृष्णा । पधिर पञ्चमेच । कण बोधयन् दीप्यमानये आप अपनस्य मनुष्यस्य उपोतिषी मा उदकरय पा ।।

 

The Vedic god Varuṇa identified with water and the oceans is frequently referred to as the protector of ''ṛta''. The symbolism of water and the ocean in connection with ''ṛta'' is profound.

== Rta in Rigveda ==

== Rta in Rigveda ==

- the moral conduct of man

- the moral conduct of man

A few passages to illustrate these three aspects of rta include <blockquote>ऋतस्य हि शुरुधः सन्ति पूर्वीरृतस्य धीतिर्वृजिनानि हन्ति । ऋतस्य श्लोको बधिरा ततर्द कर्णा बुधानः शुचमान आयोः ॥८॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतस्य दृळ्हा धरुणानि सन्ति पुरूणि चन्द्रा वपुषे वपूंषि । ऋतेन दीर्घमिषणन्त पृक्ष ऋतेन गाव ऋतमाविवेशुः ॥९॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतं येमान ऋतमिद्वनोत्यृतस्य शुष्मस्तुरया उ गव्युः । ऋताय पृथ्वी बहुले गभीरे ऋताय धेनू परमे दुहाते ॥१०॥ (Rig. Veda. 4.23.8-10)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-04-sukta-023/ Mandala 4 Sukta 23])</ref></blockquote>Rg. IV 23 8-10 are 3 three verses in which the word rta occurs no less than twelve times and which breathe the all-pervading influence of rta throughout the universe.

A few passages to illustrate these three aspects of rta include <blockquote>ऋतस्य हि शुरुधः सन्ति पूर्वीरृतस्य धीतिर्वृजिनानि हन्ति । ऋतस्य श्लोको बधिरा ततर्द कर्णा बुधानः शुचमान आयोः ॥८॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतस्य दृळ्हा धरुणानि सन्ति पुरूणि चन्द्रा वपुषे वपूंषि । ऋतेन दीर्घमिषणन्त पृक्ष ऋतेन गाव ऋतमाविवेशुः ॥९॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतं येमान ऋतमिद्वनोत्यृतस्य शुष्मस्तुरया उ गव्युः । ऋताय पृथ्वी बहुले गभीरे ऋताय धेनू परमे दुहाते ॥१०॥ (Rig. Veda. 4.23.8-10)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-04-sukta-023/ Mandala 4 Sukta 23])</ref></blockquote>These are 3 three verses in which the word rta occurs no less than twelve times and which breathe the all-pervading influence of rta throughout the universe.

'Plentiful waters (or riches or gifts) belong to rta, the thought (or laudation) of rta destroys crooked acts (sins), the brilliant and rousing hymn of praise to rta pierces the benumbed ears of man. The props of rta are firm, its (physical) manifestations are many and lovely for the sake of the body (i.e. man) Through rta they (people) desire food. The cows (sun's rays) entered rta by rta. He who wins over rta acquires it. For the sake of rta (heaven) and earth are wide and deep, the two highest cows (i.e. Heaven and Earth) yield milk (desires or rewards) tor the sake of rta.  

'Plentiful waters (or riches or gifts) belong to rta, the thought (or laudation) of rta destroys crooked acts (sins), the brilliant and rousing hymn of praise to rta pierces the benumbed ears of man. The props of rta are firm, its (physical) manifestations are many and lovely for the sake of the body (i.e. man) Through rta they (people) desire food. The cows (sun's rays) entered rta by rta. He who wins over rta acquires it. For the sake of rta (heaven) and earth are wide and deep, the two highest cows (i.e. Heaven and Earth) yield milk (desires or rewards) tor the sake of rta.