Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t4.29

c5.s3.t4.29

The Soma plant is once in the RV. (10, 34¹) described as *maujavata*, which according to later statements⁴² would mean 'produced on Mount Mūjavat'. Soma is also several times described as dwelling in the mountains (*giriṣṭhā*)⁴³ or growing in the mountains⁴⁴ (*parvatāvṛdh*: 9, 46¹). Mountains are also called 'Soma-backed' (AV. 3, 21¹⁰), a term which, perhaps by sacrificial symbolism, is applied to the pressing stones (*adrayaḥ*) in RV. 8, 52². All these terms point to the abode of the Soma plant being on terrestrial mountains (cp. especially 9, 82³). This is confirmed by the statement of the Avesta that Haoma grows on the mountains⁴⁵. Since the Soma plant actually grew on mountains, it is probable that this fact is present to the mind of the poet even when he says that 'on the vault of heaven sweet-tongued friends milk the mountain-dwelling bull' (9, 85¹⁰ cp. 95⁴). Terrestrial hills may also be intended when it is said that 'Varuṇa has placed Agni in the waters, the sun in heaven, and Soma on the rock' (5, 85²), or that 'Mātariśvan brought the one (Agni) from heaven, while the eagle carried off the other (Soma) from the rock' (1, 93⁶); but here there is more doubt, as 'mountain' and 'rock' mythologically often mean 'cloud' (p. 10).