A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1707

c5.1707

“The simple-minded Arian people, whose whole religion was a worship of the wonderful powers and phenomena of nature, had no sooner perceived that this liquid had power to elevate the spirits and produce a temporary frenzy, under the influence of which the individual was prompted to, and capable of, deeds beyond his natural powers, than they found in it something divine : it was to their apprehension a god, endowing those into whom it entered with godlike powers ; the plant which afforded it became to them the king of plants ; the process of preparing it was a holy sacrifice ; the instruments used therefor were sacred. The high antiquity of this cultus is attested by the references to it found occurring in the Persian Avesta ; it seems, however, to have received a new impulse on Indian territory.”—Whitney.