History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c40.120.1

v3.c40.120.1

In the Ṛgveda a distinction is made between *soma* and *surā* (liquor), the former being an intoxicating drink, but reserved for being offered (as a sacred beverage) to gods and to be drunk by the priests, while the latter seems to have been meant as a beverage for common men and not usually offered to gods. In Ṛg. VII. 86. 6 the sage¹⁸⁸⁹ Vasiṣṭha implores Varuṇa to recognize that a man does not commit sin by his own urge or power, but that it is due to destiny or *surā*, anger, dice (gambling) or heedlessness. In Ṛg. VIII. 2. 12 the sage exclaims that draughts of soma when quaffed by Indra create in his heart such tumult as those who are heavily intoxicated engage in when *surā* is drunk. Ṛg. I. 116. 7 mentions among the deeds of Aśvins this that they filled a hundred jars of surā from the hoof of their powerful horse which (hoof) was like *kārotara* (a strainer or leather-bag?). Ṛg. I. 191. 10 refers to the leather-bag (of wine) in the house of a vintner. In belauding *bhojas* (liberal men) Ṛg. X. 107. 9 says that they won the inner draught of surā (from their foes). In Ṛg. X. 131. ¹⁸⁹⁰ 4 and 5 the Aśvins are praised for having drunk surāmā (surā mixed with soma) and helped Indra in his fight with the Asura Namuci. In the Atharvaveda IV. 34. 6 the reward for the performer of sacrifices is said to be heaven in which there are lakes full of ghee and honey, and wherein liquor flows like water. In Atharvaveda 14. 1. 35-36 and 15. 9. 2-3 surā is referred to. The Vāj. S. 19.