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=== सोमः ॥ Soma ===

=== सोमः ॥ Soma ===

{{Main|Soma (सोमः)}}Soma (सोमः) has great importance in the Vedas. The ninth mandala of the Rigveda is completely devoted to Pavamana-Soma, the deity reigning the medicinal herbs and Somalata. In the Vedas, the primary reference of Soma is to the creeper Soma from where the Somarasa is prepared. It is a chief material used in Somayaga. Indra is called Somapa, one who enjoys drinking the Somarasa. Soma also implys Chandrama (Moon), Raja etc. In the Rigveda, Somalata is also called as Moujavat as the natural habitat of this creeper is the [[Mountains in Rigveda (ऋग्वेदे पर्वतानां विवेचनम्)|mountain]] called Mujavat. <blockquote>सोम॑स्येव मौजव॒तस्य॑ भ॒क्षो..... (Rig. Veda. 10.34.1)</blockquote>In the Atharvaveda, there is a reference that Soma is found by the banks of the river Amshuman. Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa-sthan 26. 1 to 32) gives an extensive description of this creeper. There are twenty-four varieties of Soma - Amshuman, Munjavan, Chandrama, and Rajataprabha etc. All Soma varieties have fifteen leaves, which grow in the waxing phase (Shukla paksha) of the moon and shed in the waning phase (Krishna paksha) of the moon. Soma is said to originate in the Himalayas, Sahya ranges, Mahendra mountains, and Malaya mountains. These creepers are said to be found near the Sindhu river. The creeper grows to a range of one to one-and-half feet tall, with the branches arising from the base near the roots. Many scholars have conducted extensive research about the Somalata. Many believe that "Ephedra", found on the Hindukush and Suleiman ranges, is the Somalata. Soma creeper is crushed using the pressing stones to get the juice, which is strained and get the Pavamana-Soma rasa. When milk is added to the Somarasa, it is called "Gavashir", on adding curds it is called Dadhyashir, on adding the flour of Jau (Barley) it is called Yavaashir. Rigveda mentions all the three dishes of Pavamana-Soma and they are collectively called as Tryaashir. Somarasa is described as Madhu (Madhur or sweet), Mada (Uttejaka or Invigorating), Pitu (Peya or a drink), Piyush (Amrta or nectar-like food), and Indu (Ahladaka or refreshing). Somarasa was said to invigorate, increase power and cause happiness. It also aided in increasing the intellect and boost immunity. <blockquote>अपा॑म॒ सोम॑म॒मृता॑ अभू॒माग॑न्म॒ ज्योति॒रवि॑दाम दे॒वान् । (Rig. Veda. 8.48.3)</blockquote>In the Rigveda the results of drinking Somarasa are said to be Amrtva (eternity), along with finding the inner light and the devatas. Soma is said to be the adhipati of the medicinal plants.  

{{Main|Soma (सोमः)}}Soma (सोमः) has great importance in the Vedas. The ninth mandala of the Rigveda is completely devoted to Pavamana-Soma, the deity reigning the medicinal herbs and Somalata. In the Vedas, the primary reference of Soma is to the creeper Soma from where the Somarasa is prepared. It is a chief material used in Somayaga. Indra is called Somapa, one who enjoys drinking the Somarasa. Soma also implys Chandrama (Moon), Raja etc. In the Rigveda, Somalata is also called as Moujavat as the natural habitat of this creeper is the [[Mountains in Rigveda (ऋग्वेदे पर्वतानां विवेचनम्)|mountain]] called Mujavat. <blockquote>सोम॑स्येव मौजव॒तस्य॑ भ॒क्षो..... (Rig. Veda. 10.34.1)</blockquote>In the Atharvaveda, there is a reference that Soma is found by the banks of the river Amshuman. Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa-sthan 26. 1 to 32) gives an extensive description of this creeper. There are twenty-four varieties of Soma - Amshuman, Munjavan, Chandrama, and Rajataprabha etc. All Soma varieties have fifteen leaves, which grow in the waxing phase (Shukla paksha) of the moon and shed in the waning phase (Krishna paksha) of the moon. Soma is said to originate in the Himalayas, Sahya ranges, Mahendra mountains, and Malaya mountains. These creepers are said to be found near the Sindhu river. The creeper grows to a range of one to one-and-half feet tall, with the branches arising from the base near the roots. Many scholars have conducted extensive research about the Somalata. Many believe that "Ephedra", found on the Hindukush and Suleiman ranges, is the Somalata. Soma creeper is crushed using the pressing stones to get the juice, which is strained and get the Pavamana-Soma rasa. When milk is added to the Somarasa, it is called "Gavashir", on adding curds it is called Dadhyashir, on adding the flour of Jau (Barley) it is called Yavaashir. Rigveda mentions all the three dishes of Pavamana-Soma and they are collectively called as Tryaashir. Somarasa is described as Madhu (Madhur or sweet), Mada (Uttejaka or Invigorating), Pitu (Peya or a drink), Piyush (Amrta or nectar-like food), and Indu (Ahladaka or refreshing). Somarasa was said to invigorate, increase power and cause happiness. It also aided in increasing the intellect and boost immunity. <blockquote>अपा॑म॒ सोम॑म॒मृता॑ अभू॒माग॑न्म॒ ज्योति॒रवि॑दाम दे॒वान् । (Rig. Veda. 8.48.3)</blockquote>In the Rigveda the results of drinking Somarasa are said to be Amrtva (eternity), along with finding the inner light and the devatas. Soma is said to be the adhipati of the medicinal plants.<ref name=":62" />

=== वरुणः ॥ Varuna ===

=== वरुणः ॥ Varuna ===

{{Main|Varuna (वरुणः)}}Varuna is another important deity well described in the Vedas. Varuna is the devata for Rta (ऋतम्) and Nyaya or the divine law and order. Hence he is the Dharmapati, one who upholds Dharma. He is described as all-knowing (Sarvajna), all-powerful (Sarvashaktiman), and all-pervading (Sarvavyapaka). He rules and sets order in the world from the waters where he is located. In the Rigveda, Mitra-Varuna occur as a pair. Their mansion is said be extensive with many doors having a thousand pillars. Varuna is said to reside in each and every atom of water. He is the presiding deity of law and order. His rules of law are binding on everyone, and no one can break free of his fetters (pasham). Only through Truth, by true words, actions and thoughts can one free himself from Varuna pasham.<ref name=":62" />  

{{Main|Varuna (वरुणः)}}Varuna is another important deity well described in the Vedas. Varuna is the devata for Rta (ऋतम्) and Nyaya or the divine law and order. Hence he is the Dharmapati, one who upholds Dharma. He is described as all-knowing (Sarvajna), all-powerful (Sarvashaktiman), and all-pervading (Sarvavyapaka). He rules and sets order in the world from the waters where he is located. In the Rigveda, Mitra-Varuna occur as a pair. Their mansion is said be extensive with many doors having a thousand pillars. Varuna is said to reside in each and every atom of water. He is the presiding deity of law and order. His rules of law are binding on everyone, and no one can break free of his fetters (pasham). Only through Truth, by true words, actions and thoughts can one free himself from Varuna pasham.<ref name=":62" />  

To achieve a luminous consciousness in the mind, the help of Mitra, the deity for Harmony and Joy, and Varuna, the deity of Purity and Vastness, are indispensable. For the workings of the mind constantly interfered with by the vitiating elements of desire, preference and wrong judgement; there is a lack of coherence and harmony between movement and movement; there is a heavy limitation imposed by the nature of the senses through which mind feeds itself. Besides there are influences in the world that stand against the full development of the mind in the direction Truth. To stall all these is invoked the aid of Varuna, the ruler of Vastness and Purity, who breaks down the barriers that limit and eliminate the clinging impurities. All mental disharmonies and wrong movements are converted and a harmonious, wide, right action of thought is accomplished.  <blockquote>ऋतेन मित्रावरुणावृतावृधावृतस्पृशा। क्रतुं बृहन्तमाशाथे ॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.2.8) </blockquote>The object of the Powers of Truth and Will, at work in the seeker is to establish in him the unimpeded workings of Truth. Mitra and Varuna manifest in a variety of ways, in a number of faculties, e.g. inspiration, intuition, revelation etc., in the seeker, imparting their purity, vastitude, joy and harmony to all his movements.<ref name=":1" />  

To achieve a luminous consciousness in the mind, the help of Mitra, the deity for Harmony and Joy, and Varuna, the deity of Purity and Vastness, are indispensable. For the workings of the mind constantly interfered with by the vitiating elements of desire, preference and wrong judgement; there is a lack of coherence and harmony between movement and movement; there is a heavy limitation imposed by the nature of the senses through which mind feeds itself. Besides there are influences in the world that stand against the full development of the mind in the direction Truth. To stall all these is invoked the aid of Varuna, the ruler of Vastness and Purity, who breaks down the barriers that limit and eliminate the clinging impurities. All mental disharmonies and wrong movements are converted and a harmonious, wide, right action of thought is accomplished.  <blockquote>ऋतेन मित्रावरुणावृतावृधावृतस्पृशा। क्रतुं बृहन्तमाशाथे ॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.2.8) </blockquote>The object of the Powers of Truth and Will, at work in the seeker is to establish in him the unimpeded workings of Truth. Mitra and Varuna manifest in a variety of ways, in a number of faculties, e.g. inspiration, intuition, revelation etc., in the seeker, imparting their purity, vastitude, joy and harmony to all his movements.<ref name=":1" />

 

== References ==

== References ==