Soma

Name (Sanskrit "squeezed juice") for the "intoxicating potion of the gods" mentioned in the oldest part of the Indian Vedas. It is used to name a deity, a plant and also the intoxicating potion prepared from it. An eagle or a falcon is said to have brought soma from heaven to earth. Soma is sometimes interpreted as the earthly equivalent of amrita (Sanskrit "immortality") or the ambrosia in Greek mythology. While the latter two are reserved for the gods and confer immortality, soma can also be drunk by humans. This "tastiest of all potions" confers bliss (ananda). It also acts as an aphrodisiac, has healing properties and brings courage to warriors before battle. The early Iranians knew the potion under the name Haoma or Hauma, which was drunk by the legendary King Jemshid who reigned in 2,500 BC. There is still no clear identification of Soma today. It is possible that it was a preparation of various plants. According to one hypothesis, soma was a milk-like drink made from fly agaric and datura. According to another, it was an alcoholic drink similar to mead (honey wine) or, according to yet another, a fermented rhubarb stalk or hopped beer. A drink related to soma was madhu, but produced from grapes. See also under special wines.

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Soma

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