The Rgvedic Soma Plant

In: Medicine and Life Sciences in India. — New Delhi: Centre for Studies in Civilization, 2001. — pp. 724-739.Soma is a celebrated plant in the Rgveda as well as in Avesta, where it is called Haoma, later shortened to Horn in Pahalvi. A drink of the same name was extracted from the plant by pressing or crushing its stalk for offering to the gods and for drinking. (The name Soma comes from the root su, "to squeeze".) Significance of the Soma cult is apparent from the fact that the Rgveda devotes a full mandala to it.