The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c18.s3.10

v1.c18.s3.10

The same double side of Soma appears in the legends which make him drunk by the gods as well as by men. He is for both the drink of immortality, which makes them live for ever. In less exalted phrase he is of high value in healing, he makes the blind to see, and the lame to walk. He even destroys sin and promotes truth: *in vino veritas*. He inspires speech and so Soma is lord of speech: he has all wisdom and knowledge. He surveys all things with his thousand eyes. A votary declares ² ‘We have drunk the Soma, we have become immortal, we have attained the light, we have known the gods.’ The Fathers too love the Soma with whom they sometimes go, and who in their life excited them to their great deeds.