Rita — Cosmic Order

Rita is one of the most important concepts in the Rigveda — the cosmic order or truth that governs both nature and morality. The sun rises because of Rita. Rain falls in season because of Rita. Honest speech and righteous action also follow Rita. It is the Vedic precursor to Dharma: Rita is the cosmic principle; Dharma is how that principle is lived by humans. Varuna is the guardian of Rita — he sees all violations of cosmic order and punishes them. Rita evolved over centuries into the concept of Dharma that underpins all of Hinduism.