73 Soma
The vedic rishis have composed many verses in praise of Soma. The entire 9[SUP]th[/SUP] mandala consists of hymns on soma only. There are praises of soma in other mandalas too. While all other mandalas are collection of praises of various devas, that the 9[SUP]th[/SUP] mandala is exclusively set apart for soma shows its importance.
They pray to Soma to bestow them immortality. For example, five verses are given from 9.113.
7 O Pavarnana, place me in that deathless, undecaying world Wherein the light of heaven is set, and everlasting lustre shines. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra's sake.
8 Make me immortal in that realm where dwells the King, Vivasvan's Son, Where is the secret shrine of heaven, where are those waters young and fresh. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra's sake.
9 Make me immortal in that realm where they move even as they desire, In the third sphere of inmost heaven where lucid worlds are full of light. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra's sake.
10 Make me immortal in that realm of eager wish and strong desire, The region of the radiant Moon, where food and full delight are found. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra's sake:
11 Make me immortal in that realm where happiness and transports, where Joys and felicities combine, and longing wishes are fulfilled. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra's sake.
All devas, especially Indra, are said to be fond of soma. Indra destroyed many rakshasas and performed many great tasks in the exhilaration of soma. (This is proof enough that soma is not an intoxicant which usually dulls the brain and incapacitates the muscles). Vayu is said to have the first claim on soma. (Perhaps its smell spread far and wide as soon as effused.) Asvins have a special right over the morning savanam (effusion). It seems that it was effused three times a day. The Rbhu brothers who rose to become gods by dint of their meritorious acts became entitled for soma. Only after attaining devahood, they could taste it. In the same way the ancestors are also called somayasaH (deserving of soma). (it shows that soma was connected with religious worship only and was not consumed otherwise. )
Yajna and soma
Soma is an indispensable part of yajna. When Soma, stoma (prayer), namaskara (prostration), buddhi (intellect) are added to yajna, then it becomes adhvara (perfect). Soma is honoured with the title yajnasri.
Soma and moon
The words soma and indu refer to the moon also. In one of the mantras (9.12.5), it is said that Indu embraces soma- indicating that these are two different entities. But in some places the words refer to both soma juice as well as moon.
Soma is not only a drink, it is elevated to the position of a deva also. Many achievements of Indra are credited to soma - like the slaying of vrtra, releasing the cows for Angiras, crushing the rakshasa Pani, uniting Ushas with her husband Surya.
Indra’s attributes such as marutvan (having maruts for assistants), vrshabha (bull) are given to soma also. Like surya, soma is also called vizvacarSani, nrcakSas (all-beholding). Like Agni soma is also called kavi (sage), yajnasya nAbhi (closely related to yajna), and the son of heaven and earth.
Soma inspires speech and intellect. There is no one unaffected by him. He can not be conquered in war. He removes darkness. He gives wealth and comfort. When prayed, he gives rayi (the wealth of eternal delight). He is the lord of prayers. He is leader of minds.
Soma the Almighty
Soma is elevated to the position of supreme almighty also. It is Soma who placed light in Surya, found the amrta hidden in the three worlds, keep apart the earth and heaven, filled milk in the just calved cow etc. He knows heaven (svarvid). He causes rain, progeny. He clothes the naked. He makes the blind see, lame walk. He gave birth to devas.
Here is a visvarupa darzanam of Soma. His seat is the cup and the clouds are his diadem. Our prayers are his robes. 9.71.1
While filtering soma, a rishi finds an analogy. Just as the fleece filters soma and gives out only purified juice, there is a filter of dharma, created by the wonderful power of Varuna, on the tip of our tongues and the speech coming out of it delights men like the filtered soma. 9.73.9
The Vedic poets describe the scene of the fingers wringing out the juice, its running through the fleece and its making a sound in the vessel, profusely. They are never tired of speaking about it in various styles. We wonder what could be there to describe so profusely such a simple act.
We have seen that while praising the devas, the rishis enter into a trance-like state and elevated the deva to the status of the supreme almighty. Whille praising Agni, they say that Agni is the supreme. While honouring Indra, they say that Indra is the supreme and so on. When they see a horse, they describe it as the embodiment of rtam, that is, the supreme almighty. Even inanimate things like the rivers, water etc are also praised as the supreme almighty. In the same way, soma is also viewed as the almighty. So they are never tired of describing it.
soma and chaji
Here we can compare this with the chaji, the tea-ceremony of the Japanese. Just for giving a cup of tea to the guest, they take four hours, paying attention to every little detail and never swerving from the tradition. For them it is a meditation. In the same way the soma drinking ceremony could also have been a way of meditation for our rishis.
Since soma gives delight, it becomes the symbol of delight. And what is delight? This gushes from the heart. It is not caused by external objects. These objects are just an excuse for bringing out the delight of the heart. The child is delighted by the sight of an ant or a falling leaf etc. which to us are commonplace occurrences. They do not cause us delight. So delight depends on the simplicity or innocence of heart.
The rishis, like the children, are delighted by everything. They enjoyed the beauty of the world and wondered at its rhythm and orderliness.
Sure in the worlds he was a skilful Craftsman, he who produced these Twain the Earth and Heaven. Wise, with his power he brought both realms, together spacious and deep, well-fashioned, unsupported. 4.56.3
Soma made them enjoy the beauty of the world fully and hence they are thankful to soma and shower their praises on it. That explains the importance given to soma by earmarking an exclusive mandala for it.
