Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.49

c8.49

'**Soma-Yajña.**' A greater prominence is given in the Rigveda to *Soma-yajñas*. Though the word *Soma* is the name of a creeper, it is really used as a symbol for a deep spiritual truth in the Rigveda. This is made clear in several of its hymns. In viii, 48, Soma is addressed as '*Madhu*, the nectar or ambrosia, the drink of Immortality sought by both gods and men. Even the Rishi who achieved the greatest fame by his learning and wisdom still prays for something that was lacking, this nectar. He is also addressed as Indu or Aditi, the primordial deity who rules the gods and penetrates into the hearts of all; the nectar by drinking which mortals become immortal and attain heaven radiant with shining gods; the vital principle of life.' X, 85 sings in the same strain the praise of Soma. "Soma is the cause of the power of the Ādityas and of the greatness of Prithivī (*Somena Prithivī Mahī*)." "The Soma whom the worshippers of Brahma know, That is not something to be drunk by the mouth (Somam yam Brāhmano viduh na tasyāśnāti kaśchana)." "He cannot be drunk by a materialist (*pārthiva*)." "Some can drink Him but cannot decrease Him by such drink": for it is a drink of supreme knowledge, a draught of Immortality, which increases by each such drink, because Truth spreads through Its exponents. I, 91 states that "He is to be approached by *manīshā* (effort of mind, meditation) along the path of virtue (*rajishṭhaṁ panthāṁ*); the author of cosmic laws (*Vratas*), who is manifest in heaven and earth, in mountains, vegetation, and water." IV, 18, 1, 13, which is the hymn of Rishi Vāmadeva, the author of the entire fourth Maṇḍala, relates how the saving knowledge of this *Madhu* or *Soma* doctrine came to him. It relates that he was so poor that he was driven to eat the entrails of a dog (*avartyā śuna āntrāṇi peche*) and could not better his condition by prayers to gods, had to see his wife in a deplorable condition (*apaśyaṁ jāyāṁ amahīyamānām*), until he was saved by God in His mercy bringing to him the nectar (*madhu*) of Soma doctrine in the disguise of a hawk (*śyena*). Thus this supreme knowledge, Madhu- or Soma-Vidyā came to the Ṛishi in a sudden flash in his darkest hour.