Hymn to Cosmic Order (Ṛta / ऋत) – Rigveda 1.164

Introduction to Ṛta

Ṛta (ऋत), in the Vedic worldview, represents the principle of cosmic order and the inherent truth that governs the universe. It holds together everything, from the natural laws governing celestial bodies to the moral laws governing human behavior. Ṛta is the precursor to the concept of Dharma in later Hindu philosophy, representing the idea of truth, justice, and order in the universe.

Overview of Rigveda 1.164

Rigveda 1.164 is one of the most cryptic and philosophical hymns in the Rigveda. Known as the Ṛbhu Hymn, it offers profound insights into the workings of the universe and cosmic order. This hymn discusses the unity and diversity of the cosmos and is filled with metaphors and riddles to express the mysterious nature of creation and existence.

Key Themes

• Ṛta as Cosmic Law: The hymn emphasizes the importance of Ṛta as the guiding force that governs everything in the cosmos.
• Unity and Diversity: One of the hymn’s famous lines speaks about the unity underlying the diversity of divine beings and natural phenomena: “They call it Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni… that which is one, the wise call it by many names.”
• Cycle of Existence: The hymn presents the cyclical nature of time, with recurring seasons, life, and death, all governed by Ṛta.
• Mystical Questions: The hymn poses deep questions about the nature of the universe and the divine forces that control it.

Notable Verses in Sanskrit

Verse 1.164.20

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते ।

तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ॥

dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṁ vṛkṣaṁ pari ṣasvajāte ।
tayoranyaḥ pippalaṁ svādvattyanaśnannanyo abhicākaśīti ॥

Translation:

"Two birds, inseparable companions, live on the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit, while the other watches without eating."

Exploration of the Metaphor:

This verse represents the human condition and the relationship between the soul (Jiva) and the Supreme (Brahman or Paramatma). The Two Birds:
Jiva (Individual Soul): The bird that eats the fruit represents the individual soul, engaged in worldly activities, tasting the results of its actions (karma), whether sweet or bitter.
Paramatma (Supreme Soul): The bird that observes without eating symbolizes the Supreme Soul or Brahman, which remains a passive observer, untouched by worldly experiences, yet omnipresent.
The Tree: The tree symbolizes the body or the universe, where both the soul and the Supreme reside. The soul engages in material desires, actions, and consequences, while the Supreme simply witnesses everything without involvement.
The Fruit: The fruit represents the experiences of life, particularly the results of actions (karma). The soul enjoys or suffers based on these karmic fruits, while the Supreme remains beyond the dualities of pleasure and pain.
Spiritual Significance: This verse emphasizes the dual nature of existence — the Jiva, who is bound by desires and karma, and the Paramatma, who is free, eternal, and ever-blissful. It teaches the aspirant that true freedom and bliss come from realizing the Supreme within, turning away from worldly pursuits, and becoming one with the witness.

Concluding the sloka:

This Upanishadic metaphor is a profound expression of the non-dualistic Vedanta philosophy, suggesting that while the soul and the Supreme appear distinct, they are fundamentally one. The ignorant soul (Jiva) remains caught up in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, while the Supreme (Paramatma) is ever-free. Realization comes when the individual soul ceases its attachment to worldly pleasures and recognizes its oneness with the divine. The verse invites deep contemplation on the nature of the self and its relationship with the divine. It encourages spiritual seekers to move beyond the immediate gratification of sensory experiences and align themselves with the eternal truth, represented by the Supreme Witness.
This verse remains one of the most significant expressions of the Vedantic concept of the unity between the individual and the universal soul.

Verse 1.164.46

इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहुः, अथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् ।

एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति, अग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः ॥

indraṁ mitraṁ varuṇamaghnimāhuḥ, atho divyaḥ sa suparṇo garutmān ।
ekaṁ sadviprā bahudhā vadanti, agniṁ yamaṁ mātariśvānamāhuḥ ॥

Translation: "They call Him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni; and He is also the divine, swift-winged Garutman (the sun). The truth is One, the sages speak of it in many ways; they call it Agni, Yama, Mātariśvan."
Key Concepts and Analysis:
Multiplicity in Unity:
The central theme of this verse is monotheism presented in a polytheistic context. While the Vedic hymns often speak of many deities, this verse states that all these deities are different aspects or manifestations of the same ultimate reality, which is One. "Ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti" means “The truth (reality) is one; the wise call it by many names.” This reflects the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which asserts that the entire universe and all divine beings are manifestations of a single underlying reality or Brahman.
Deities in the Verse:
Indra: King of the gods, ruler of the heavens, associated with storms and rain.
Mitra: God of friendship and contracts, linked with the Sun.
Varuna: God of the cosmic order (Ṛta) and waters, upholder of moral law.
Agni: God of fire, the intermediary between gods and humans, and the sacrificial flame.
Garutman: Another name for Garuda, the divine eagle, representing the Sun or the messenger between heaven and earth.
Yama: God of death, the ruler of the afterlife.
Mātariśvan: A deity often identified with Vayu (the wind god) or a figure who brings fire to humanity.
Philosophical Insight:
This hymn emphasizes that the apparent multiplicity of gods and forms in the Vedic pantheon is simply different ways of perceiving the same ultimate truth or divinity. The names and forms of gods represent different aspects of the same supreme reality, Brahman. Monism in the Vedic texts: This verse is often cited to demonstrate that the Vedas, despite their references to many gods, ultimately uphold a monistic view of reality where the divine is singular but seen and understood in many ways.
Comparative Religion:
This verse is often used to highlight the inclusive nature of Hindu philosophy, where different paths, beliefs, and practices are seen as valid approaches to the same truth. This has implications not only within Hinduism but also in its approach to other religions and their conceptions of the divine. It is considered an early expression of the idea that the Divine is formless but manifests itself in various forms, which can be related to modern-day ideas of religious pluralism.
Vedantic Connection:
This verse is closely connected with the later development of Vedanta philosophy, particularly the non-dualism (Advaita Vedanta) of Adi Shankaracharya. In this view, all dualities and distinctions are ultimately illusory, and there is only one ultimate reality, Brahman.
Concluding the sloka:
This verse from the Rigveda is a beautiful articulation of the idea that while the divine may be perceived in many forms and names, it is ultimately one and the same. It expresses a vision of unity amidst diversity, which is a recurring theme in many spiritual traditions, especially within Hinduism. The idea that "truth is one, though the wise call it by many names" speaks not only to religious tolerance but also to the deep, philosophical understanding of the nature of existence and the cosmos.
The verse's implications extend beyond theology into areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, providing a foundation for both the diversity of worship practices in Hinduism and the essential unity of all spiritual truth.

Verse 1.164.11

द्वादशारं नहि तज्जराय वर्वर्ति चक्र परि द्यामृतस्य।

आ पुत्रा अग्ने मिथुनासो अत्र सप्त शतानि विंशतिश्न त॥

dvādaśāraṁ nahi tajjarāya varvarti cakra pari dyāmṛtasya |
ā putrā agne mithunāso atra sapta śatāni viṁśatiśna ta ||

Translation and Interpretation:
द्वादशारं नहि तज्जराय: "The twelve-spoked wheel does not decay."
वर्वर्ति चक्र परि द्यामृतस्य: "It rotates around the heavens of immortality."
आ पुत्रा अग्ने मिथुनासो अत्र: "Come, O sons of Agni, twin-born here."
सप्त शतानि विंशतिश्न त: "Seven hundred and twenty are there."
Analysis:
"द्वादशारं" (twelve-spoked wheel): This represents the wheel of time, most likely referring to the 12 months of the year or the division of the cosmos into twelve parts (like zodiac signs). This cyclical nature of time is an important concept in the Rigveda, where time is seen as a repeating cycle that doesn't decay or grow old.

"नहि तज्जराय" (does not decay): Time itself is eternal and does not wear out. The cycle continues indefinitely, supporting the idea of the cosmic order (Ṛta), which governs everything in existence.

"वर्वर्ति चक्र परि द्यामृतस्य" (it revolves around the heavens of immortality): This may indicate the cyclical movement of time not only on Earth but also in the divine or heavenly realms, implying that both mortal and immortal planes are governed by the same unchanging laws of time.

"आ पुत्रा अग्ने मिथुनासो अत्र" (O sons of Agni, twin-born here): Agni, the fire god, is addressed here, symbolizing energy or the divine spark in every form of life. The term "Mithunaso" (twin-born) may refer to the dualities in existence, such as day and night, life and death, or perhaps two complementary forces in the cosmos.

"सप्त शतानि विंशतिश्न त" (seven hundred and twenty): The number 720 likely refers to the 720 half-days (or 360 days and nights) in a year. This further connects to the cyclical nature of time, where the totality of time, whether day or night, moves in harmony with the cosmic order.

Symbolism and Cosmic Order:
The verse overall reflects deep philosophical symbolism associated with time, cycles, and cosmic laws in the Vedic worldview. The twelve-spoked wheel and the number 720 emphasize the meticulous Vedic understanding of cosmic rhythms, representing both mortal existence (days and nights) and the immortal principles that govern the universe.

The reference to Agni's children being "twin-born" may suggest the role of dualities in the creation and maintenance of the world. Agni, as a central deity in the Rigveda, represents both physical fire and the fire of consciousness, linking the visible and invisible realms.

Concluding the sloka:

This verse illustrates the Vedic belief in the eternal nature of cosmic time and order, encapsulated by the wheel of time, Agni’s divine presence, and the cyclical forces governing the universe. The Rigveda often uses metaphors like wheels, spokes, and numbers to convey its cosmological understanding, making verses like this particularly rich for symbolic interpretation.

Conclusion

The *Hymn to Ṛta (Cosmic Order)* from *Rigveda 1.164* presents a deep reflection on the laws that sustain the universe, posing important questions about the nature of reality and creation. Ṛta, as described in this hymn, is the very fabric of existence, underlying all physical, spiritual, and moral phenomena. The hymn emphasizes the interplay of unity and diversity within the cosmic order. Even though multiple divine forces (deities) are perceived, they are all manifestations of the same ultimate reality. The hymn also suggests that the natural world operates through cycles, such as time, seasons, and life itself. These cycles are controlled by the cosmic law of Ṛta. The hymn’s verses continue to inspire seekers of wisdom and spirituality, making it one of the foundational texts of Vedic philosophy.

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Litterateur

Page article "Hymn to Cosmic Order (Ṛta) – Rigveda 1.164" -by Dr. Kalinkaar Dipendra

References

• Rigveda, Ganga S. Sharma, Sanskrit Sahitya Prakashan, 2016. (Rig. 1.164.20, 1.164.46, 1.164.11). ISBN: 978-93-5065-223-7

Last updated on

October 2, 2024