Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t4.2

c5.s3.t4.2

In order to make intelligible the mythology of Soma, the basis of which are the concrete terrestrial plant and the intoxicating juice extracted therefrom, it is necessary briefly to describe these as well as the treatment they undergo. The part of the Soma plant which is pressed is called *aṃśu*, ‘shoot or stalk’ (9,67²⁸). The shoots swelling give milk like cows with their udders (8, 9¹⁹). As distinguished from the stalk, the whole Soma plant seems to be intended by *ándhas* (8, 32²⁸; 10, 94⁸ &c.), which is said to have come from heaven (9, 61¹⁰) and to have been brought by the eagle (5, 45⁹; 9, 68⁶; 10, 144⁵). The same term is applied to the juice also³ and is distinguished from Indu the god (9, 51³; 10, 115³). The juice is also designated by *soma* (which means the plant as well) and generally by *rasa*, fluid. In one hymn (1, 187) the juice is called *pitu*, the ‘beverage’; and it is often styled *mada*, ‘intoxicating draught’⁴. Soma is occasionally also referred to with *anna*, ‘food’ (7, 98²; 8, 4¹²; ŚB. 1; 6, 4⁵). The term *madhu*, which in connexion with the Aśvins means ‘honey’ or ‘mead’, comes to be applied, in the general sense of ‘sweet draught’, not only to milk (*payas*) and ghee (*ghṛta*), but especially to the Soma juice (4, 27⁵; 8, 69⁶). Mythologically *madhu* is the equivalent of Soma when the latter means the celestial ambrosia (*amṛta*)⁵. Conversely, *amṛta* is frequently used as an equivalent of ordinary Soma (5, 2³; 6, 37³ &c.; VS. 6, 34; ŚB. 9, 5, 1⁸)⁶. King Soma when pressed is *amṛta* (VS. 19, 72). Another expression is *somyam madhu*, ‘Soma mead’ (4, 26⁵; 6, 20³). Figuratively the Soma juice is called *pīyūṣa* (3, 48² &c.), milk (9, 107¹²), the wave of the stalk (9, 96⁸) or the juice of honey (5, 43⁴). The most frequent figurative name applied to Soma is *indu*, the ‘bright drop’, another term of similar meaning, *drapsa*, ‘drop’, being much less common.