SOMA (" the moon-plant," or ascrepias acida) is, in the Vedic hymns, the god who represents this plant. and one of the most popular deities of the Vedic religion. The reason for this popularity must be sought for in the important part which the juice of the Soma-plant played in the great Vedic sacrifices, and probably also in its alcoholic and invigorating properties, which the sacrificer experienced when he drunk of it in the exercise of his functions. These properties are constantly described or alluded to in the hymns addressed to Soma, Thus, in some hymns, Sown is said to exhilarate Varouit'a, Mitra, Indra, and the other gods who partake of its juice; and in another, the worship ers exclaim: " We have drunk the Soma; we have become immortal; we have entered into light; we have known the gods. What can an enemy now do to us, or what can the malice of any mortal effect ?" In other passages, the juice of the Soma is said to be a draught of immortality, medicine for the sick, and a remedy for blindness and lame.
Thns Soma became endowed with supernatural qualities and divine attributes, and gradually was exalted as one of the most powerful deities. He is the friend, helper, and soul of Indra; he is the slayer of the cloud-demon Vr'itra, the destroyer of foes, the lisp 'leer of darkness, the creator of the sun, the upholder of the sky, and the sus tainer of the earth, the king of gods and men; lie is thousand-eyed, the most heroic of heroes; he is wise, strong, energetic, etc. See the interesting...article on Soma by -John Muir, in his " Contributions to a Knowledge of the VedicTheony and Mythology," in the Jot/red of the Bowel Asiatic: Society, new series, vol. i. pp. 135, ff. In the classical
period of Hinduism, Sown ceases to be worshiped in the diameter which he has at the Vedic period; he then becomes the god of the moon. This transition from Soma. the plant and its juice, to Soma, the ulyeat, which is perceptible even as early as in the Srata patha Bralimana of the White Vajurveda (see VEDA), is apparently due to the belief, that Atne'ittt, the beverage of immortality, was guarded by the moon, and to the eirenin stance that, in the Vedic hymns, Soma is frequently called or described as Am ita The myths connected with Soma, the moon, are wholly different from those relating to the Vedic Soma. As moon, Soma was born from the eyes of Atri, a son of Brahman, the first god of the TrimUrti (q.v.); and became installed by Brahman as the sovereign of plants, Brilliman'as, and planets. But after he had acquired extensive dominion, he became arrogant and licentious, and carried off Tilrri (lit., a star), the wife of Vr'iliaspati, the preceptor of the gods. Vrihaspaii seeking to recover his bride, and sonic of the gods siding with hint, and others with Soma, a war broke out, which ended in Titrce's being restored to her husband. The result, however, of her s.ay with Soma was the birth of a son named Budha, who became the ancestor of a.dynasty of kings, called the lunar dynasty. See