Good question. i will try my level best to answer this question. i will be happy if it gives you satisfaction. Now we will go to the answer. This is your question: who or what is the Soma mentioned in the Vedas of Hinduism, and is t a deity or plant, or juice and what or who exactly this means?
my answer:
In Vedic period there were two drinks told. one is Soma and another is Sura. The two drinks that are quoted in Vedic texts are Soma and Sura . The Rigveda describes so ma as a godly concoction, while Sudra is described as mainly a human drink. However, the Yajurveda deifies sura and uplifts it to the status of soma .
Soma is an invigorating plant product generally prepared by squeezing juice from plants. The following statements give an indication of fermentation:
Admixture of a thick juice of Soma with barley powder ( RV . IX. 68.4). This statement is a clear indication of fermentation with barley. Fifteenth day old highly intoxicating Soma ( RV . X.27.2). In this statement fifteenth day probably refers to the broth fermented in the vat for 15 days. Soma being treated is red( RV .IX.82: 1). All these statements give an indication of fermentation technology involved in the preparation of Soma.
Evidence in the Yajurveda About Sura Banam:
The Sukla Yajurveda ( Vaj. XIX. 13-15; 82-83) describes the formation of two stimulating drinks, Sura and Parisrut . Sura was supposed to be prepared from germinated paddy, germinated barley, and parched rice with the help of ferment. Yeast was used most often as the fermenting agent.
The Katyayana Srauta sutra (XV, 9.28-30; XIX, 1-2) also gives a complete description of the preparation of Sura . According to this method either boiled rice or boiled barley was mixed with the ferment and also with masara and the entire mixture was kept in a jar. The jar was then kept in a pit for three nights. Meanwhile, cow's milk and powdered parched rice were poured in the pit.
What is the Soma actually?
Soma is a plant found in the north west frontier region of pakistan, and bordering afghanistan. Its stem when boiled in water is called Somras. its a analgesic, probably aphrodasiac. Soma is known to most readers as the stimulant, euphoriant and hallucinogen in Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World. Few people know that the plant soma actually exists and has been used as a narcotic since the time of India's earliest civilizations.
In Ancient Indian mythology Soma, the brother of Indra, was the giver of health, courage, long life, a sense of immortality, and almost every other virtue known. As a narcotic, soma is thought to have originated in the Hindu Kush mountain range of northeast Afghanistan. There is evidence that Aryan invaders carried the plant to India and Persia, where it was readily adopted because of its psychoactive properties. Many of the hymns of the Rig-Veda, which were sung earlier than 800 B.C, refer to soma as a liquor and as a god.
Soma has to be differentiated from Sura (physically intoxiating alcohol ) made from grapes or grains). Soma is a CONCEPTUAL beverage of Gods , which is described as Truth (Sathyam), Auspiciousness( Sri
, light /radiance (Jyothi
. SurA in contrast is untruth (anrutham), misery (Paapmaa) and darkness ( tama
. Soma leads to Jnanam (enlightenment ) and Anandham ( bliss):
In ancient history is telling that It is a herb which when immersed in hot water, developed into a strong concoction that gaveenergy to the person drinking it. Something similar to redbull. Soma banam was actually good. Sura banam is the one which can be equated toliquor and this was supposed to be have been consumed by the asuras.
This is mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam chapter 10 canto 8 saying the demons as sura warriors.
Thanks for the opportunity!!!
Hinduism...Who or what is the 'Soma' mentioned in the Vedas?
