Changes

==वेदेषु सोमः ॥ Soma in the Vedas ==

==वेदेषु सोमः ॥ Soma in the Vedas ==

Soma is described in various occasions in different forms in the Vedas. It is primarily mentioned in the Vedas and associated literature. Notably

Soma is described in various occasions in different forms in the Vedas. It is primarily mentioned in the Vedas and associated literature. Notably

* Soma is mentioned as the Devata of Prthvi. In yajnas, the Somayajna is of superior quality. Garuda brought Soma deva to bhumi in the form of Gayatri.

* Soma is mentioned as the Devata of Prthvi.  

* In yajnas, the Somayajna is of superior quality.  

* Vedas describe that Garuda brought Soma deva to bhumi in the form of Gayatri.

* Soma is also addressed as Pavamana (wind) in the Vedas.   

* Soma is also addressed as Pavamana (wind) in the Vedas.   

* Soma is called Samudra Raja (ocean king) as it is considered as the king of all rivers. Soma is addressed as the source of water as it provides rain and resides in water.  

* Soma is called Samudra Raja (ocean king) as it is considered as the raja of all rivers. Soma is addressed as the source of water as it provides rain and resides in water.  

* Soma, will become immortal and develop the capacity to perform superhuman activities. Therefore, it is compared to amrta (nectar) or even described as amrta.

* Soma consumption bestows immortality and one develops the capacity to perform superhuman activities. Therefore, it is compared to amrta (nectar) or even described as amrta.

Sometimes, Soma is compared to the Sun as it is seen as the dispeller of darkness and provider of light, one who spreads his rays towards the earth and Sky. Soma is known for giving benediction of teja (), success, and eternality. Soma is the source of all aushadhi (medicine). He can cure all disease, restore vision to the blind and enable the lame to walk. He is all pervading and protects the human body. Soma essential dharma is to increase satya in us by removing our papas, which are ingrained in us.

* Sometimes, Soma is compared to the Sun as it is seen as the dispeller of darkness and provider of light, one who spreads his rays towards the earth and Sky.

 

* Soma is the source of all aushadhi (medicine). He can cure all disease, restore vision to the blind and enable the lame to walk. He is all pervading and protects the human body.  

* Soma essential dharma is to increase satya in us by removing our papas, which are ingrained in us.

Soma enhances our speech and pronunciation just as the boatman who plies the boat in the waters seamlessly, and is therefore known as Vachaspati (expert in the art of speech). It can invoke powerful feelings within our mind and directs us to Prarthana (prayers).  He is the master amongst poets, Rishi amongst the brahamanas and the brahamanas worship him as the king. He is the heart of the yajna and the distributor of knowledge.

Soma enhances our speech and pronunciation just as the boatman who plies the boat in the waters seamlessly, and is therefore known as Vachaspati (expert in the art of speech). It can invoke powerful feelings within our mind and directs us to Prarthana (prayers).  He is the master amongst poets, Rishi amongst the brahamanas and the brahamanas worship him as the king. He is the heart of the yajna and the distributor of knowledge.

In the battle between Indra and Vrtrasura, he was the cause of Indra’s victory as He is the thunder weapon (Vajra) of Indra, hence known as the atma of Indra.  

In the battle between Indra and Vrtrasura, he was the cause of Indra’s victory as He is the thunder weapon (Vajra) of Indra, hence known as the atma of Indra.  

He gave birth to Surya in the water, and he causes sunrise.  e himself is warrior, he has never lost battle, those warriors who worship him, and he offers them anything they desire.  Those Brahmanas who drink somarasa, have the power to burn their enemies simply by the glance.  In earthly planet he resides in mountains.  He has birds eyes view over every one.  Anything, and any one has connection to soma is generally called as somya in vedic language.<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya K. S. (2011), Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya (Volume 1), Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

Those Brahmanas who drink somarasa, have the power to burn their enemies simply by the glance.  In earthly planet he resides in mountains.  He has birds eyes view over every one.  Anything, and any one has connection to soma is generally called as somya in vedic language.<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya K. S. (2011), Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya (Volume 1), Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

== Soma in Upanishads ==

== Soma in Upanishads ==

Pitruyana marga outlined in detail in the Chandogya Upanishad <blockquote>मासेभ्यः पितृलोकं पितृलोकादाकाशमाकाशाच्चन्द्रमसमेष सोमो राजा तद्देवानामन्नं तं देवा भक्षयन्ति ॥ ४ ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.4)</blockquote><blockquote>māsebhyaḥ pitṛlokaṃ pitṛlokādākāśamākāśāccandramasameṣa somo rājā taddevānāmannaṃ taṃ devā bhakṣayanti ॥ 4 ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.4)</blockquote>

Pitruyana marga outlined in detail in the Chandogya Upanishad describes Soma <blockquote>मासेभ्यः पितृलोकं पितृलोकादाकाशमाकाशाच्चन्द्रमसमेष सोमो राजा तद्देवानामन्नं तं देवा भक्षयन्ति ॥ ४ ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.4)</blockquote><blockquote>māsebhyaḥ pitṛlokaṃ pitṛlokādākāśamākāśāccandramasameṣa somo rājā taddevānāmannaṃ taṃ devā bhakṣayanti ॥ 4 ॥ (Chan. Upan. 5.10.4)</blockquote>

==Discussion==

==Discussion==

Many western as well as "modern Indian" interpretations bereft of Vedic wisdom proclaim that सोम is an intoxicating beverage. Such versions about the nature of Soma reveals the malicious intentions to portray Bharatiya Vaidika Parampara and the rishis and maharshis in denigrating and frivolous terms.  According to them suktadarshi is not rishi, they mention that the seer being intoxicated tends to "think of himself as a rishi".  

Many western as well as "modern Indian" interpretations bereft of Vedic wisdom proclaim that सोम is an intoxicating beverage. Such versions about the nature of Soma reveals the malicious intentions to portray Bharatiya Vaidika Parampara and the rishis and maharshis in denigrating and frivolous terms.  According to them suktadarshi is not rishi, they mention that the seer being intoxicated tends to "think of himself as a rishi".  

The equation of the sacred Soma to alcohol (introduced along with opium into India and China by the East India Company nations itself to destroy Bharat) and also that Indians were drunkards is not only vicious but false propaganda.  

The equation of the sacred Soma to alcohol (introduced along with opium into India and China by the East India Company nations itself to destroy Bharat) and also that Indians were drunkards is not only vicious but false propaganda.  

A logical question would be that if the dharmic rishis were Somarasa drunkards as insinuated by Western evangelists, the Rig veda (XI, all 114 suktas) would not eulogise Soma and the rishis would not have performed yajna while honouring Soma. If it was an alcoholic beverage, why would drinking it only be restricted to three times a day. Soma is not a ordinary beverage, it is the symbol of divinity and only the most qualified brahamanas were able to drink (तत्त्वपणा | tattvapana) it, as concluded by the vedas.<blockquote>सोमं मन्यते पपिवान्यत्सम्पिंषन्त्योषधिम् । सोमं यं ब्रह्माणो विदुर्न तस्याश्नाति कश्चन ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%AB Sukta 85].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''somaṁ manyate papivānyatsampiṁṣantyoṣadhim । somaṁ yaṁ brahmāṇo vidurna tasyāśnāti kaścana ॥3॥'' (X-85-3)</blockquote>The Sayana Bhashya claims that those who desire sexual appetite, should consider Somarasa as an intoxication and extract its juice through the chemical method and drink it. Such persons consider Somarasa as ordinary juice, but the wise Brahamanas (brahmajnani) and the [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|rtvik]] yajamanas understood the real essence of सोम. In other words, the soma is not some ordinary juice extracted from the creeper, but is critically important for attaining Brahmajnana as explained in the Vedas. Those who have actually honored the Soma, the brahamvadini, mahajnanis, those who are immersed in Brahman, explained the [[सोम|Soma]] differently;<blockquote>अपाम सोमममृता अभूमागन्म ज्योतिरविदाम देवान् । किं नूनमस्मान्कृणवदरातिः किमु धूर्तिरमृत मर्त्यस्य ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AE Sukta 48].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''apāma somamamr̥tā abhūmāganma jyotiravidāma devān । kiṁ nūnamasmānkr̥ṇavadarātiḥ kimu dhūrtiramr̥ta martyasya ॥3॥ (VIII-48-3 Rik samhita)''</blockquote>Meaning: We have honored soma rasa, we have become immortal, achieved the param jyoti (highest light), have understand all the devas, what can the enemies do to us? Hey Soma, what can the enemies who are wicked to do me, even though I am mortal?

A logical question would be that if the dharmic rishis were Somarasa drunkards as insinuated by Western evangelists, the Rig veda (XI, all 114 suktas) would not eulogise Soma and the rishis would not have performed yajna while honouring Soma. If it was an alcoholic beverage, why would drinking it only be restricted to three times a day. Soma is not a ordinary beverage, it is the symbol of divinity and only the most qualified brahamanas were able to drink (तत्त्वपणा | tattvapana) it, as concluded by the vedas.<blockquote>सोमं मन्यते पपिवान्यत्सम्पिंषन्त्योषधिम् । सोमं यं ब्रह्माणो विदुर्न तस्याश्नाति कश्चन ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%AB Sukta 85].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''somaṁ manyate papivānyatsampiṁṣantyoṣadhim । somaṁ yaṁ brahmāṇo vidurna tasyāśnāti kaścana ॥3॥'' (X-85-3)</blockquote>The Sayana Bhashya claims that those who desire sexual appetite, should consider Somarasa as an intoxication and extract its juice through the chemical method and drink it. Such persons consider Somarasa as ordinary juice, but the wise Brahamanas (brahmajnani) and the [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|rtvik]] yajamanas understood the real essence of सोम. In other words, the soma is not some ordinary juice extracted from the creeper, but is critically important for attaining Brahmajnana as explained in the Vedas. Those who have actually honored the Soma, the brahamvadini, mahajnanis, those who are immersed in Brahman, explained the Soma differently;<blockquote>अपाम सोमममृता अभूमागन्म ज्योतिरविदाम देवान् । किं नूनमस्मान्कृणवदरातिः किमु धूर्तिरमृत मर्त्यस्य ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AE Sukta 48].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''apāma somamamr̥tā abhūmāganma jyotiravidāma devān । kiṁ nūnamasmānkr̥ṇavadarātiḥ kimu dhūrtiramr̥ta martyasya ॥3॥ (VIII-48-3 Rik samhita)''</blockquote>Meaning: We have honored soma rasa, we have become immortal, achieved the param jyoti (highest light), have understand all the devas, what can the enemies do to us? Hey Soma, what can the enemies who are wicked to do me, even though I am mortal?

Similarly, the great Vamadeva Rishi, who drank the Soma, says, I have realised the secret behind the birth of Indra and others, previously my body which was like iron shackles did not allow me, to experience [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]], because of being bound.  Since I who took the dress of Garuda, I was split open the covering of body (since I drank soma rasa).  Even though this body binds me, but I am not covered with ignorance, illusion, even the pain of being in the womb has been overcome by my power of wisdom.  The ईश्वरः | Isvara, who is in the form of Soma) has helped me to conquer my enemies of the womb, he helped me to cross all the layers of air in the womb, that Isvara, is complete, and the source and inspirer of the entire cosmos.  One who speak such profound words, Vamadeva, should he be considered insane or a great brahma jnani?

Similarly, the great Vamadeva Rishi, who drank the Soma, says, I have realised the secret behind the birth of Indra and others, previously my body which was like iron shackles did not allow me, to experience [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]], because of being bound.  Since I who took the dress of Garuda, I was split open the covering of body (since I drank soma rasa).  Even though this body binds me, but I am not covered with ignorance, illusion, even the pain of being in the womb has been overcome by my power of wisdom.  The ईश्वरः | Isvara, who is in the form of Soma) has helped me to conquer my enemies of the womb, he helped me to cross all the layers of air in the womb, that Isvara, is complete, and the source and inspirer of the entire cosmos.  One who speak such profound words, Vamadeva, should he be considered insane or a great brahma jnani?