Rta and Spiritual Authority
Rta is the cosmic truth, and is hence, also called Satya. Another synonym is Jyoti. It is how behavior should be. When humans behave in accord with the Rta, they've behaved in harmony with the universal laws which the Rta is a collection of. Spiritual authority originated from the purest souls on Earth that were in harmony with Rta.
Sanskrit scholar Maurice Bloomfield writes, "The high thought of the rta is in many ways similar of the Confucian idea of order, harmony and absence of disturbance. It is unquestionably the best conception that has been elaborated by the Aryans."
The Atharva Veda reads that dharma upholds the world[1], but more specifically it is people by virtuous behavior that uphold dharma, which in turns upholds Rta, and the Rta being fulfilled upholds the universe. So in fulling the eternal principle, one fulfills the eternal order (Rta.)
Achieving spiritual authority[edit]
Bloomfield also states, "As far as the Veda is concerned, it presents itself under the threefold aspects of cosmic order, correct and patting cult of the gods, and moral conduct of man. We have in connection with the rta a pretty complete system of Ethics, a kind of Counsel of Perfection." For upholding that 'Counsel', a Divine Council (Trayastrimsati Deva Sabha) was created. Arya dharmas reference this Divine Council in regards to authority. To obtain spiritual authority to counsel society, persons had to perform austerities, such as becoming mendicants and living not only an ethical life but a selfless one. Like how Bauddh buddhas became Tathagatas, Jain jinas become Tirthankars, and Sikh gurus became Satgurus, so too did these 33 attain the status of devas. The Rig Veda[2] states that Devas follow the ordinances of Rta. Agni was called the epithet 'Rtavan' and Varuna 'Rtasyagopa'. The process of finding 'the divine light' (i.e., truth, which Rta is) was ascribed to devas but also to seers that lived while “sitting down in attendance upon asceticism (tapas) and consecration (diksha.)” Devas, along with other mendicants who became recognized as Saptarishis (7 Rishis) were the first official institution of the Sanatan Dharm.
A 'rishi' is a seer, someone who has reached the status of a sage through austerities and learning spirituality. The connection of rishis to Rta is definitely attested in the most ancient scriptures. The Rig Veda reads, rishis prayed, “Lead us [O Indra] on the path of Rta, on the right path over all evils.”[3] There are 3 kinds of rishis; brahmrishis (at highest stage of performing austerities), rajarishis (royals who’ve become mendicants and performed some austerities), and ordinary rishis. The rishi, being a seer who is acting in conformity with Rta, is also known as satya darshin.
Consecration or ordaining a mendicant as a brahmarishi or rajarishi occurred in the past sometimes, such as in the case of Vishwamitra becoming a rajarishi by Shiva of the Divine Council.
From having this spiritual authority, one has true priesthood authority, being the the ideal person just like a mendicant who has burnt off much karmas but on a higher level [especially if they have already achieved Nirvana.]
Succession[edit]
Succeeding members of the Divine Council and succeeding rishis weren't many times as pious, and even became corrupted, but none of them are worshiped or held in high esteem, only the original persons. Most Hindus of the Indian Subcontinent claim to be a member of a pravara rishi gotra, meaning lineage from the original Saptarishis. The descendants don't hold the title or being 'rishis' because the definition is based on spiritual performance, but anyone (even persons not descended from rishis) can ascend to the level of a rishi by works. So even though someone may claim to have spiritual authority (i.e., through lineage, caste, etc), it wouldn’t be legitimate. Persons can ascend to achieve spiritual authority by performing austerities.
Rta in different dharms[edit]
The Mazdaen word for Rta is Asha, and just as Agni is called Rtavan, so too is Zarathustra called Ashavan. The Sikh term is Hukam. In Sukhmani, Guru Arjan Dev writes that it is the invisible sustaining principle of the universe, and that The Creator of the universe creates and destroys everything through Hukam.[4] To add, the ultimate abode (Heaven) of all creation is Hukam.
Highest spiritual authority[edit]
Whereas humans deified to be on the ancient Divine Council had spiritual authority, Brahm (God Almighty) is Itself spiritual authority, and so humans born (i.e., Krishna, Rishabh, Dipankar) that provided spiritual wisdom are seen as the ultimate lawgivers whose words are considered Brahm-shabd ("word of God") or shruti ("heard".) These 2 terms as well as apta-vachan ("divine revelation"), nigama ("revelation".)