The modern translator defines Soma as a ritual drink of among the early Indo-Iranians, and the subsequent Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, whose Soma Mandala contains 114 hymns, many praising its energizing qualities. In the Avesta, Haoma has the entire Yašt 20 and Yasna 9-11 dedicated to it. Some even get more advanced and give allegation that vedas talk about alcoholism or intoxication by use of some narcotic called Soma. While analyzing carefully both of this translation is insufficient to define soma. Rigveda 1.91.22 states that: “O Soma, You alone create the medicines that heal us. You alone create the water that quenches our thirst. You alone create all moving objects, sense organs and living beings and also give us this life. You have provided expanse to this universe and you alone enlighten the world to eradicate darkness.” If so then how soma refers to any ritual drink or intoxicant or alcohol when Soma is said to be creator of universe, stars, life, objects etc. Very clearly Soma refers to the Supreme Lord – the Ishwar or God. The Rigveda (8.48.3, tr. Griffith) states, a ápāma sómam amŕtā abhūmâganma jyótir ávidāma devân c kíṃ nūnám asmân kṛṇavad árātiḥ kím u dhūrtír amṛta mártyasya We have drunk Soma and become immortal; we have attained the light, the Gods discovered. Now what may foeman's malice do to harm us? What, O Immortal, mortal man's deception? Swami Dayanand Saraswati) states, Som apama (we drink you) amŕtā abhūmâ(you are elixir of life) jyótir âganma(achieve physical strength or light of god) ávidāma devân(achieve control over senses); kíṃ nūnám asmân kṛṇavad árātiḥ(in this situation, what our internal enemy can do to me) kím u dhūrtír amṛta mártyasya(god, what even violent people can do to me) In the preparation of soma the Rig says: आच्छद्विधानैर्गुपितो बार्हते सोम रक्षित: ! ग्राव्णामिच्छृएवन्तिष्ठसि नते अश्नाति पार्थिव: ऋग्वेद 10/85/4 It is covers and protects by well regulated non material laws governing the material world . Soma cannot be physically consumed by a living being. Soma in Vedic tradition represents essentially a nonphysical mind stimulant, and drive. The motivating force for intellect and also the store of scientific knowledge from researches that are source of capability as an enabler of actions for the welfare of the society. अध त्यं द्रप्सं विभवं विचक्षणं विरा भरिदिषित: श्येनो अध्वरे ! यदी विशो वृणिते दस्ममार्या अग्निं होतारमध धीरजायत !! ऋग्वेद 10/11.4 a very ordinarily met fluid like butter milk , when looked in to by concentrating on its important aspects brings to light as if the researcher pulls out of fire, as a hawk-eyed observer taking in his notice from very high position a total perception, the hard intelligent worker. If ordinary common persons adopt such strategies of scientific enquiry, they become virtuous, by performing Yajna to get fired in to action, thus Soma true knowledge in intellect, is born. What Soma Does and what is the effect of Soma on a person who has got “Drunk” on Soma is beautifully described in the thirteen mantras that constitute Rig Veda 10.119, and may indeed look extremely futuristic, even in context of present day modern world. This Sukta says all that humanity can achieve on strength of research and knowledge- when 'drunk' with Soma, 1. इति वा इति मे मनो गामश्वं सनुयामिति ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/1 When drunk on Soma (knowledge), one is impelled in to action to provide for community the services to look after the welfare of all the living beings particularly cows and horses (as symbols of food and energy). 2. प्र वाताइव दोधत उन्मा पीता अयंसत ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /2 When drunk on Soma (knowledge) one is bubbling with enthusiasm for self motivated positive action 3. उन्मा पीता अयंसत रथमश्वाइवाशव: ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/3 When drunk with Soma (knowledge) one is highly motivated as if he is always riding on high horses 4. उप मा मातरिस्थित वाश्रा पुत्रमिव प्रियम् ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /4 When drunk with Soma (knowledge) one has his wits always around him, like a mother cow bellowing close to her calf 5. अहं तष्टेव वन्धुरं पर्यचामि हृदा मातिम ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/5 With dedication it brings glory to his seat of action 6. नहि मे अक्षिपच्चना अच्छांत्सु: पञ्च कृष्टय: ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/6 Nothing in all the community, escapes his keen perception 7. नहि मे रोदसी उभे अन्यं पक्षं चन प्रति ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /7 Has good measure of the realities on ground and in space 8.अभि द्यां भहिना भुवमभी3मां पृथिवीं महीम् ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /8 His influence Excels in all area of his action on the vast earth and space 9. हन्ताहं पृथिवीमिमां नि दधानीहा वेह वा ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/9 Scales up theater of man's action from earth to outer space (makes outer space his habitat) 10. ओषमित्पृथिवीमहं जङ्घननीह वेह वा ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/10 learns to control and transfer heat, light and energy from one place to another as per needs. 11- दिवि मे अन्य: पक्षो3धो अन्यमचीकृषम ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /11 Has one foot on earth and the other in Space 12.अहमस्मि महामहोअभिनभ्यमुदीषित: ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119/12 Has in his command sources of energy comparable to Sun in the sky. 13. गृहो याम्यरङ्कृतो देवेभ्यो हव्यवाहन: ! कुवितसोमस्यापामिति !! ऋग्वेद 10/119 /13 Such a resourceful person by fully imbibing SOMA, is decorated and empowered to deliver like Indra. SOMA thus emerges as divine Knowledge that motivates human mind in positive constructive welfare of humanity.
