Rta/Rita (ऋत) is the first and foremost Vedic concept, which seems to predate the whole of Rigvedic thought. Not to forget that Rigveda is the first and foremost Veda. This word Rta (ऋत) is featured in Rigveda around 390 times. It is so ancient that it is also mentioned in Avesta, which is the prime text of Parsis, who in turn are descendants of Vedic Hindus only and follow the worship of sacred fire, which is the practice mentioned in Vedas. In Avesta it comes as ‘Asa’.
Rta (ऋत) has Gati, as in it is constantly moving, running or changing, always in motion, never idle or static. It has Samghatana, which means other elements that make it. Rta (ऋत) is not independent; it is made of what people do, the natural order of the universe, and the coexistence of things. And it has a Niyati or fate. When people follow or do not follow Rta (ऋत), in both cases, they have a fate that they meet, and they cannot escape it.
Because Rta (ऋत) have fate, which is also the prime concept of Vedic Astrology, I understand it is Vedic Astrology that talks about Rta (ऋत) in the most in-depth manner. In fact, it is the concept of Rta (ऋत) seen in motion in this universe and the lives and Karma of people and nations and everything else. That’s why because Rta (ऋत) is the base concept, and it is well manifested, or its functioning is best seen in Vedic Astrology; Vedic astrology is considered the eyes of Veda. It is said that other body parts cannot see themselves, but one can see things only through eyes; thus, all other limbs of Veda’s are not very useful without eyes. Vyakrana is mouth, Siksha is nose, Kalpa is hands, Nirukta is ears, and Chhanda is legs. One cannot see what they are eating and cannot know about objects being consumed in their entirety without eyes. Imagine a blind person; it is so difficult for them to identify the difference between different types of candies. The mouth can talk, but without knowing whom we are talking to, what will be the condition as the prime function of only talking to worthy people cannot be done in its entirety. The smell comes from the nose, but to know the fundamental nature of the nose and to get complete knowledge of whether we are smelling white rose or red rose, eyes are needed. Nirukta are ears; they help us listen, but until and unless we are able to differentiate whether the speaker is a genuine Sadhu or a fake person reading from books, how can we get pure knowledge through eyes only? Hands and Legs cannot function well without eyes. Thus, the eyes of Veda are Jyotish that is supreme and most important, and this is also due to the reason it represents Rta (ऋत) in all its entirety, and it is only through Jyotish one is able to see Rta (ऋत) in action.
Sun is the manifestation of the operation of Rta (ऋत) because Rta (ऋत) is the natural order, cycle or rhythm, and this order, cycle or rhythm or the thing which is constantly moving, the Gati of Rta (ऋत) is time, and this time is represented by the motions of Sun and Moon which makes the seasons and the calendar and all units of time. All of which is part of Astrology. Time is used in Astrology, Sun and Moon are used in astrology, in fact tracking the motion of these luminaries and making calendar deciding time and its nature is all what comes under astrology, thus also, astrology represents Rta (ऋत) or say the manifestation of Rta (ऋत) is astrology.
It is the cosmic rhythm that gives the universe and everything within it. Rta (ऋत), basically, as per my understanding, is what is the natural flow. The Vedic religion, or what we call Sanatan Dharma, is essentially based on natural laws, with no harm to anyone and the best manifestations of the best qualities of any living being and optimal usage.
Rta (ऋत) regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within it. In the Vedas, it is described as ultimately responsible for the proper functioning of natural, moral and sacrificial orders.
Jyotish is the eye of Veda because it tells the time for sacrificial orders. It is only through Jyotish that one can know the real nature of anyone and know what is moral for someone to do because, as one size does not fit all, what is ethical to one can be immoral to others, such as the fight for someone in the army is moral but for others it is sinful. What tells us this is that one will be in the military or will have Kshatriya tendencies other than Jyotish; thus, it is the eyes of Veda.
The concept of Muhurta, because of which Jyotish is called the eyes of the Vedas, is also based on Rta (ऋत). Rta (ऋत) indicates what is correct and righteous to be done at what time, and this is what we do in Muhurta: find the optimum best time to do something. Thus, it is Muhurta that represents the functioning of Rta (ऋत) or rather, through Muhurta, we can be in synchronisation with Rta (ऋत).
In fact, when one goes to Ayurveda, we see Ritucharya, this is what is to be done in which season, what to eat, what to do, etc. This, if we see closely, is very much connected to Muhurta, what is the right time to do something, in this case, because it is from Ayurveda, what is the right time to eat something, this is related to Muhurta, which in turn is associated with Rta (ऋत) which tells what needs to be done when for the maximum benefit to self and society, only if remains happy and healthy, which is the prime objective of Ayurveda, as health in Ayurveda is physical, mental and social health, one is helpful for society and community. Thus, it eventually has the same purpose that Rta (ऋत) have. Therefore, we see Ayurveda also uses a lot of Muhurta and emphasises and focuses on Rta (ऋत). Not only Ayurveda but almost all Vedic knowledge, also known as Vedic Vidya, which is 32 in number, relies heavily on Rta (ऋत) and focuses on balancing, upholding and being in synchronisation with Rta (ऋत).
There was a question by one of my international students that if someone kills others, such as a country attacking others, because people support it, does it become Dharma? My answer was No. Why? If this is due to Rajasic tendencies of increasing power, resources, etc. or if this is due to Tamasic tendencies of ignorance where I think I am the ruler of all, I should be ruling all. You can understand which historic fight he was referring to; it is still Tamasic Karma born out of ignorance and should not be taken as Dharma or Dharma Yuddha. However, to protect the country, kingdom and own people or from some evil person or bad change, if the fight is done, this is Dharma Yuddha, and this is what Krishna is telling Arjuna to do.
So, as we see, the concept of Dharma, Karma and everything else that comes from Vedic thought is based on Rta (ऋत), or what is the natural cycle of the universe as in what will sustain and expand the world positively and reasonably and then it is also based on the concept of what is suitable for person and society. Owing to this particular reason, when one follows Dharma, one sustains and gets sustained by Rta (ऋत). That’s why it is called ‘Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah’ when you follow Dharma, Dharma saves you, and as following Dharma is good Karma, Rta (ऋत) is also deeply connected to Karma of righteous conduct as well, because only the Karma which does not harm anyone and positively contributes to society is Sattvik Karma and only Sattvika Karma does not produce miseries and gives superior results, not following of Rta (ऋत) also leads to sins and requires Prayaschitta or remedial measures or alleviative measures to be done. These remedial measures, especially the one that features in Veda’s, are nothing but again doing Dharmic deeds and doing more of such deeds, which support Rta (ऋत) and go on the philosophy of one loss of 100 Rs and multiple gains of 1000 Rs eventually in the end means the person has and will only benefit.
Moral laws that make the excellent conduct of people is Rta (ऋत); Physical duties that one has as in the natural cycle of eating and then working to make best use of gained energy is Rta (ऋत); Sacrifical order of giving strength to gods or positive energy so that they sustain the world and do good to it is Rta (ऋत), this is also the basic concept on Parsi religion where the person is supposed to have conduct which support good positive energies over bad energies that’s why you see Parsi’s are generally very gentle and polite. As Indra is the prime deity in Rigveda, Varuna is the prime deity in Avesta, and as Varuna is closely connected to Rta (ऋत), the Parsi religion gives high importance to following Rta (ऋत) or good conduct, supporting others and sense of community with emphasis on mutual growth.
Varuna and Mitra guard Rta (ऋत). In Veda, the duo of Mitra-Varuna is often referred to together so much as to the level of confusion as well, even more than what a husband-wife due will be referred to. Because Varuna saves and follows Rta (ऋत), he has a lot of resources and gifts, which he often distributes to people. In Mahabharat, Arjuna gets many divine weapons from Varun when he helps defeat Indra in the Khandava Vana episode; at the end of Mahabharata, Arjuna has to return to Varuna, which he does by flowing or giving all these divine weapons to the sea.
Brihaspati, the Jupiter, is told to have a bow with Rta (ऋत) as its strings. Brihaspati indicates humans, being Jeeva Karaka. Why Jupiter is Jeeva Karaka because once Indra was with his teacher Jupiter. Yes, Jupiter is the Guru of Gods because he is the teacher of God’s King, Indra. We’re going to meet Shiva, who was sitting as an ascetic on the way, whom Indra told to sit somewhere else, but he ignored; this made Indra furious he wanted to beat this Shiva in the form of an ascetic, but Shiva in anger with his third eye was about to burn Indra into ashes this is where Jupiter intervenes and saves Indra because he saves Indra, he is called Jeeva as the one saving mortals or weaker ones from the wrath of powerful one’s, this wrath of powerful ones is not because they are angry or Tamasic but because of ignorance of these weak people only, as Jupiter saves them, Jupiter, in astrology indicates grace, blessings, fortune etc. The bow of Jupiter represents the string that throws the arrow, or rather, the soul is thrown into a world, in a Karmic setup in one body and the setup of world, family, and society it comes with due to Rta (ऋत), thus the string of the bow of Brihaspati.
Agni is described as the one who is desirous of Rta (ऋत), who is Rta (ऋत)-minded one who spreads Rta (ऋत) on heaven and earth. Rta (ऋत) is not in netherworld, because demons live there and they don’t follow Rta (ऋत) thus they are demons and are constantly killed, because they don’t follow they are not saved neither are immortal, only following Dharma makes you immortal. Vimshottari Dasha starts from Kritrika Nakshatra ruled by Agni, the prime Dasha in Vedic astrology, as some consider, is governed by Agni, agni distributes Rta (ऋत), Rta (ऋत) is the order and Dasha’s in Vedic astrology are the one factor which represents when what result will manifest, indicating the fate based Niyati and movement based Gati nature of Rta (ऋत).
Maruta and Varuna are also connected with Rta (ऋत). Varuna was talked about earlier. Marut is told to rejoice in the house of Rta (ऋत), the Nakshatra’s of Maruta and Varuna come in Rashi’s of Saturn, which is the two Tamasic Rashi’s together indicates a lot of Karma, a fact also strengthened by the fact that the sun enters into Capricorn is what starts the Uttarayana Paksha which is ruled by gods and as per Bhagavad Gita and the basic Hindu philosophy leads to emancipation to those who leave their body when sun is transiting its northern-course or the Uttarayana Gati.
Gods also do not have command over Rta (ऋत); instead, the gods, like all living beings, remain subject to Rta (ऋत), and their divinity resides in them because they serve the purpose of Rta (ऋत) by being instruments for its manifestation, that’s why you see in Vedic thought even the position of king of god’s Indra is not permanent and is supposed to change with time, even texts like Gita clearly says that one with Sattvik Karma can go to heavens and enjoy it till their Karma lasts, why because Sattvik people uphold Rta (ऋत) and as they do it they become suitable for havens which they also enjoy.
The Aditya as a group are referred to as being charioteers of Rta (ऋत); in my recent class on Bhagavad Gita, I have recently talked about the 12 different forms of Aditya and how they rule the complete Zodiac. Moon is lord of Nakshatra, and Sun is lord of Rashi, and as the Rashi’s are spread over the zodiac, the Aditya’s rule the complete Zodiac. As charioteers, the Adityas decide where the Rta (ऋत) will go as it is constantly moving, and the Rashi’s being heap of Karma in Vedic astrology indicates how, where, when and in which form Karma or Rta (ऋत) will manifest.
As per Rigveda, created beings fulfil their true nature when they follow Rta (ऋत). If they don’t do it, they face calamities and suffering. Committing to Rta (ऋत) ensures well-being. One who follows nature is known to follow Dharma of Rta (ऋत) as nature represents what Rta (ऋत) wants, as Rta (ऋत) is the fundamental force and works on the principle of sustenance of nature which is beneficial for all, and this is what Rta (ऋत) wants, beneficence and sustenance of all.
Gods are executors of Rta (ऋत), and humans uphold Rta (ऋत) through their actions. When one does not follow Dharma or Rta (ऋत) through their actions, one experiences pain in life, and when one upholds Rta (ऋत) by following Dharma, one experiences pleasure in life. Karma is basically good or bad based on one’s nature: being good or evil, supporting society, or disturbing its essential nature of helping all.
Thus, this small writeup of mine elaborates on how Jyotish indicates the most basic but most potent Vedic ideas, which is why I justify the word Vedic Jyotish, which I also use. I also believe this article has been able to clear some concepts related to astrology and Dharma and Karma for you and also gave you some knowledge about Rta (ऋत), which is the most dominant and primary thought of Hinduism and the basic thought between the creation of Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism and writing of Veda’s. Let’s take a pledge always to follow Rta (ऋत).
Yours in Daiva
Shubham Alock Singh
Traditional Vedic Astrologer
