Rta - pronounced as Rih-tha (Sanskrit) and first originated as a concept in the Vedic religion during the period of 1500–1100 BCE. It stands for: Order, rule, truth
It is the principle of natural order in which the universe and everything in it flows and operates.
It consists of natural, moral, and sacrificial order - and isn't something prescriptive or forced on you, but a concept life, people, and the universe is supposed to uphold. The idea of the individual, their (your) actions in relation to Rta and fulfilling yours - your duty to yourself, the right thing - path, development, society, and the natural order of things. It's not always clear cut and defined as it's both broad and granular and applies to one's individual destiny shaped and guided by their actions in life and adhering (or not) to the various laws of life/universe/time/and the world/people around you.
The macro can affect the micro, and the micro's choices ripple through/resonate through the macro - eventually giving way to the concept of Karma.
In the Avestan (ancient Iranian - Zoroastrian) it is known as asa - divine truth, right, sacred order, or truth.
This concept exists in many ancient cultures and has continued through time today to be found as divine will - destiny/destined in popular fiction like The Wheel of Time with the Pattern and the Wheel's Will, the idea of the Ta'veren and in the case of Stephen King's brilliant Dark Tower series, Ka or Ka-tet In ancient Egypt, this was seen through Ma'at, the goddess of divine order, law, morality, and the concept existed beyond her as a principle because of/from her. Ma'at became a set of laws including 38 declarations based on truth, and adherence to divine order.
Think 10 commandmants but less catchy and more of them.
In Chinese philosophy we have Tao or Dao - the metaphysical concept found in Confucianism and Taoism and often translates to: the way, the path, the route - the cosmic force that can't be named or described and is of the natural harmony of all living things and the way they move. Seeking and being in tune with this harmony is the goal of Taoism.
This is just a short primer on shared concepts like this and how they've existed since the birth of cradle civilizations and continued through time in culture, and permeated fiction (old and new).









