Q: Was the Soma drink a type of herbal hallucinogen that created only temporary and fleating states of ecstasy and astonishing visuals, but when the consumer of soma came down from his "high", he was left to again cope with the troubles and realities of the 3D material world and thus requiring regular soma consumption in order to "maintain" his magical states of existence?
A: Soma was a plant that was pressed and the juice (a sweet brown liquid) was strained, and then usually mixed with milk and beer and offered to the gods. It was consumed by the priests and had an intoxicating result of ecstasy and perhaps a hallucinogenic power as well. It was considered the drink of the gods and thought to give immortality to those who drank it. This soma drink was very often referred to in the Rig Veda, and was even described as a god. Soma, as a god, has 120 hymns in the Rig Veda directed to him. Your question suggests that soma is addicting. You are probably right. Most intoxicants have an addicting quality to it, both psychologically and physically.
|