Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India, their Religion and Institutions v5.c49.15

v5.c49.15

The hymns addressed to Soma were intended to be sung while the juice of the plant, said to be produced on Mount Mūjavat, R.V. x. 34, 1 (*somasyeva Maujavatasya bhakshaḥ*),³⁹³ from which he takes his name (the *asclepias acida* or *sarcostemma viminale*) was being pressed out and purified.³⁹⁴ They describe enthusiastically the flowing forth and filtration of the divine juice, and the effects produced on the worshippers, and supposed to be produced on the gods,³⁹⁵ by partaking of the beverage. Thus the first verse of the first hymn of the ninth book runs