Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t4.15

c5.s3.t4.15

The sound made by the Soma juice as it is being purified and rushes into the vats or bowls, is often referred to. It is compared with that of rain (9, 41³). But the language is generally hyperbolical. Thus the sweet drop is said to flow over the filter like the din of combatants (9, 69²). The noise is constantly designated by various verbs meaning to roar or bellow (*krand*, *nad*, *mā*, *ru*, *vāś*: 9, 91³. 95⁴ &c.). Even the verb *stan*, 'to thunder', is used (9, 86⁹) and the wise are described as 'milking the thundering unfailing stalk' (9, 72⁶). Lightning also is in some verses connected with the purification of Soma (9, 41³. 80¹. 84³. 87⁸); this in all probability alludes to the purification of the celestial Soma and may have referred to the phenomena of the thunderstorm ²⁸.