A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1706

c5.1706

SOMA. The juice of a milky climbing plant (Asclepias acida), extracted and fermented, forming a beverage offered in libations to the deities, and drunk by the Brāhmans. Its exhilarating qualities were grateful to the priests, and the gods were represented as being equally fond of it. This soma juice occupies a large space in the Rig-veda; one Mandala is almost wholly devoted to its praise and uses. It was raised to the position of a deity, and represented to be primeval, all-powerful, healing all diseases, bestower of riches, lord of other gods, and even identified with the Supreme Being. As a personification, Soma was the god who represented and animated the soma juice, an Indian Dionysus or Bacchus.