Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t4.10

c5.s3.t4.10

In the ritual there is a ceremony called *āpyāyana* or causing the half-pressed Soma stalks to swell by moistening them with water afresh. The beginnings of it are found in the MS. (4, 5⁵). The verb *ā-pyā*, 'to swell', occurs in the RV. in connexion with Soma (1, 91¹⁶⁻⁸); 10, 85⁵)¹⁹; but here it seems to refer to Soma as identified with the moon. In one other passage, however, (9, 31⁴) it may have a ritual application. Soma is also said in the RV. to swell (*pi*, *pinv*), like a sea or river (9, 64⁸. 107¹²).