June Topic: mAyA in the vedas Rtam- the Cosmic Order !

[Guest guest]

Thank you kindly, Ken-Knightji !

 

Although born a Hindu, i never had a chance to read such beautiful

excerpts from the Rg Veda presented in this orderly fashion. I was in

my own world of 'Maya' and more 'Maya.' Thank you for bringing me

down to Earth( prithvi) and introducing me to the world of RTA- SATYA-

DHARMA !

 

RTa- the Cosmic order

 

"Firmly fixed are the foundations of rta shining in beauty, manifold

are its beauteous forms. "

 

(Rigveda 4.23.9 )

 

Rta is:

 

for the Hindus

 

the blue print for cosmic harmony

 

-Dharma

 

 

for the Chinese

 

the mystical path

 

-Tao

 

 

for the Muslims

 

the inflexible yet all merciful decrees of divine

 

-Haqq

 

 

For the Greco-Romans

 

the form of universal reason

 

-logos

 

 

for the Buddhists

 

the law of righteousness

 

-Dhamma

 

 

"The concept of Rta, originates in the Rigveda (10.85; 4.23, 9-12;

10.190). In the Vedic vision the universe is not conceived as a

haphazard mass of elements and events, but is an ordered whole, in

which each part inheres the whole and the whole is balanced by its

parts. The ordering principle of nature, the inflexible law of

harmony, the universal cosmic flow which gives to everything from the

vast galaxies, down to the nucleus of an atom, their nature and

course, is Rta. Rta then, is observable everywhere.

 

Rta governs the movement of the heavenly bodies, Rta commands the

shift and play of the seasons, Ritu; and it is Rta which guides the

repeated round of birth, growth and decay of all life-forms. Rta

lives in each human being as the pulsation of the heart-beat and the

innumerable rhythms that balance life.

 

The principle of Rta is not unique to India. Parallel concepts are

found in all the ancient civilizations of the world. Chinese culture

describes it as the principle of Tao, Islamic thought as the

principle of Haqq, Greco-Roman culture as Logos and the Buddhists as

Dhamma. In all cultures the concept is unanimously accepted as a blue-

print of Cosmic Harmony. Furthermore, this all-inclusive principle of

cosmic harmony and human order pervades all the aspects of life: the

natural world, the human world, the social world of every day

community life, the moral world, as also, the realm of arts,

creativity and architecture. Rta is also embodied in the ecological

principle of inter-dependence, balance and interrelationship of all

life. The seasonal cycles or Ritu Chakra through spring-time and

harvest, are grounded in the principle of harmony and universal

order; it is Rta which sustains the eco-balance of nature. Humans do

not stand apart from nature but are a part of the larger cosmic flow.

This integral bond between humans and nature became a basis for the

seasonal celebrations, stimulated with prayers, incantations and

sacred performances. The construction of sacred ritual practices and

the participation in secular celebrations, are ways to mirror a

larger cosmic order as it is conceived by that people. While Rta

denotes order, its opposite manifestation is Anrta, disorder. These

two mutually dependent principles form two sides of a single cosmic

process."

 

Kenji, it gives me great delight to introduce to this audience a

visual exhibition on this subject -RTA and Ritu Chakra , held in

Dalhi, India .

 

PLEASE visit

 

http://www.ignca.nic.in/ex025001.htm - 17k - Cached

 

AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY AND SPLENDOR OF THE COSMIC ORDER IN PICTORIAL

EXHIBITS.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

 

"Firmly fixed are the foundations of rta shining in beauty,

manifold are its beauteous forms. "

(Rigveda 4.23.9 )

 

 

The concept of Rta or Cosmic Harmony reveals a basically scientific

attitude: the universe (both external and internal) proceeds

according to laws. This is also reflected in the key Indian

spiritual pillars of karma and yoga.

 

Contrast this with the notion of reward and punishment for good and

bad deeds. Which do you think sounds more 'scientific', and which do

you think is aimed at a childlike mentality?

 

Einstein liked Buddhism because it seemed 'rational' and 'scientific'

to him. Buddhism reflects common Hindu values with the theological

apparatus stripped away. Good for export...

 

Hari Om!

Benjamin