Skip to main content

The Immortal Drink

The Mythical world had many wonders, magical and fascinating. Yet, most scientific in form. One such element in the Puranas is the Amrita. It is a drink churned from the sea that made the Devas immortal. But the religion only says that nobody, even Brahma, can not be immortal. The Amrita ensured the longevity and healthy lives of the Devas and their families. People in the Satya Yug used to live four times the average age now, that is, 65 years. Amrita helped them stay fit and healthy.
Then came the Treta Yug, when the Rig Vedas were formed in their initial stages and handed over to the Devas. The Devas must have thought of ensuring the secrets of the Amrita with their successors, and hymns were made for it. The story of how they churned the seas with the asuras came alive. People in Treta lived three times the age they live now. 

Towards the end of Treta and the beginning of Dwapar, Hymns were composed to a " Great Soma". Initially, Soma was thought to have represented the Moon God, described as a resident of the sky, and a friend to the Gandharvas. Later on, further hymns describe how drinking the Soma Raas made people gain strength in weakness and cured them of the deadliest of diseases. These hymns raised questions. What was the Soma?
The Soma was actually a plant that grew in the high Himalayas and in the hills of Afghanistan. The Avestan from contemporary times calls them Haoma. They had small spine-like leaves as described in Avestan texts, and their flowers were white like the Moon. Some Rig Vedic texts suggest an acidic, milky white liquid that was extracted from these difficult-to-find plants and was mixed with the waters of the Sarasvati. This extremely precious drink was then made available to the royal people as a cure. 
 Some scientists believe that this plant is actually a plant of the Ephedra group, but it is now extinct. Others believe it is the Asclepias acida of Roxburgh, but its magical properties of healing are now lost. This plant also grows in parts of Punjab and the Bolan Pass


It also had alcoholic properties that made people drunk if they had excessive amounts of it. Avestan texts warn people of its ill effects if consumed in larger quantities. Soma Raas was thus in fact this milky white drink. The trees grew in very cold areas atop the Himalayas, and only trained and skilled people could go to collect them. During wars, Soma was consumed in large quantities to heal wounds and gain strength for the next day's battle.

The Rig Vedas also reveal that when the people did not know how to make this drink, they used to collect the plants and take them to Indra, the God King, who made the drink with his secret. Some scholars believed that the magical healing properties came to the drink because of its mixture with the water properties of the Sarasvati River. Indra is even attributed to introducing Soma to people when this drink was already popular in the Avestan religion. Some Rig Vedic hymns even say that the people who drink Soma believe they are immortal as"no diseases can harm them and no wound can kill them.". Some myths say the Gandharvas kept and distributed the Soma as per Indra's instructions, according to the need to prevent their misuse. The juice was prepared by mixing the juice of the plant, waters of the Sarasvati and Cow Milk in the right proportions and then filtering it through Lamb wool. It was even wanted for offerings to Agni during Yagnas to please the Gods. Nowadays, as Soma is not available, Mango leaves made in a bunch of five meant to look like the Soma leaf are used, and yellow flowers are used instead of the yellow branches of the Soma.


In Greece, also, a drink called Ambrosia is similar in properties to Haoma or Soma. It is believed to be from high altitudes and brought to Olympus by doves. It is sometimes described as a fragrant nectar liquid and is 


However, due to unknown reasons, Soma became unavailable. The ingredients and recipes for making the drink, hence, became unnecessary knowledge and hence disappeared in time. Nobody in the later Dwapar knew of this drink, and the human life span slowly began to decrease due to the unavailability of cures for many diseases as the Kali Yug advanced. A man's life span decreased to 65 years on average.

Zoroastrianism preached by the Avesta, talks more about the ill effects of this plant than the Vedas. Their books state that if consumed in larger quantities as a drug, Soma is more harmful than alcohol and could cause death. Unaware of these effects Royals started having the drink as a sign of luxury and hence ended up in the extinction of the plants. 

Several Vedic rituals like Somayagna, meant for the worship of these magical plants, are still done in parts of South India. Here, the Vedic hymns meant for Soma are still sung, and white drinks made of other similar plants and fruits are drunk to thank the gods. In Ayurveda and Siddha, a plant with similar but less healing properties is still used, and it is called Sarcostemma acidum. Zoroastrianism also held such worship to remember the Haoma and its magic till the late 1970s in remote villages near Yazd.

All said and done, it is one of the most important extinct or lost plants that scientists are still waiting to identify and test, and about ten plants have been identified with similar descriptions and properties, but with less to no medicinal values, as per the medical world is concerned. This plant and the preparation of the Som Raas are still a mystery to Kali Yug that will probably never be solved. Maybe for the greater good of Humanity.

Popular posts from this blog

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry, blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing, but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening, a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came b...

Chittorgarh: His Home

After a smooth 30-minute drive from Baasi down wide highways, a sharp turn led us through dense foliage, a narrow path seemingly swallowed by the trees. Our driver, playfully exasperated with my relentless questions, finally cheered, “ Madam Ji, aa Gaya Apka Chittorgarh .” For about five minutes, the fort itself was hidden from view, the thick foliage offering no clue to the legendary citadel’s whereabouts. Then, as the jungle slowly receded, I finally glimpsed a hill ahead. At first glance, it looked ordinary, but my driver leaned in and explained, “ Woh Raha Chittor Durg upar, aise Patthar se bana hai ke dikhta nahi jhat se .” I was surprised; for all my reading, no book prepared me for how well Chittorgarh blends into its rugged surroundings. Only by looking carefully could I spot the ruins and rooftops: a city on a plateau, veiled until the last moment. Goosebumps. I was, at last, so close to Pratap's Home. The Mystique of Chitrakut Locals believe the hill, Chitrakut , is the...

The Emperor's First Wife

  Ruqaiya Sultana Begum  was born to Babur's second surviving son, Hindal Mirza, and his wife, Sultanam Begum, in 1542 C.E., merely a few months after Hamida Banu gave birth to the heir Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar. She was well-versed in Persian, Urdu and Arabic and was attracted to poetry and music. Being a proud descendant of the Timurid clan, most of Rukaiya's childhood was spent in Kabul, near the Bagh E Babur, built by Babur himself. From early childhood, she had seen the struggle of her family to regain their lost power in Hind. In 1551 C.E., just after her father died young at a battle for Humayun, leaving her and her mother in the harem of the emperor, it was Hamida Banu who wanted the marriage of Rukaiya to her first cousin, Akbar. Theirs was the first in-house marriage of the Mughals, soon to be followed by many more in the generations to come. At the mere age of nine, she had married the crown prince, and when Humayun won back Lahore, she was fifteen. At the mere age ...

A Chivalrous Emnity

“Ranisa. Hukum” There was a hint of urgency in the maid in waiting’s voice as she rushed to the clearing where the tents were set up. Rani Pur Bai Solanki, the second queen, frowned at her sudden, alarming voice. “Hush, Rama, the children are...” She checked the children’s tent, alarmed. They slept during the day and stayed awake at night, because the forestland was not safe, neither from animals nor the enemies. “Ranisa, forgive me, it's Kunwarsa... He is back... but...” Pur Bai’s face lit up with a smile of hope that didn’t last long. “But?” “What is it? What’s wrong?” The Maharani of Mewar had walked out of her camp, with the other queens in tow. The maid bowed before her. “It’s Kunwarsa.” “He is back?” She frowned. He was not supposed to be back so early until his father reached Dholan. “So is Ranaji.” The maid looked scared. “There is a court called in an emergency. I came to inform you that Ranaji wanted everyone to be present.” “Jija...” Pur Bai could see the tension mountin...

Bijolia: Her Home

Journey to Bijolia: Lost Kingdoms and Timeless Temples of Mewar Bijoliya translates to a stop between two cities. Nestled in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, Bijolia sits 55km from Bundi and 105km from Chittorgarh on the well-travelled Bundi-Chittorgarh road. Once part of Mewar, this seemingly sleepy town guards a rich and layered past: it was ruled from the 11th to the 13th century by the Punwars (or Parmar Rajputs) before falling under the Chauhan dynasty, who shifted the region’s capital to Bhilwara and constructed the imposing fort there. After a brief Chauhan rule, Bijolia was reclaimed by Rana Kumbha and became an integral part of the Mewar kingdom, with the Parmers serving as local Raos, representatives and stewards of the royal house. Despite its history and the famed Bijolia inscriptions (a treasure for historians), Bijolia has never found a seat on Rajasthan’s primary tourist circuit, especially if you’re venturing out by public transport or private car. While a handful of...

Charumati's Love

T his is written based on folklore. This is a representative work of fiction and does not claim any historical happening in the conversations. This is to show the spirit of the women of Rajputana.  The year 1657.  Shah Jahan had taken ill and was rumoured to be dying in Agra Fort. He was about eighty, and the pressure of having an empire had taken a toll on his body. The seat of power was slowly shifting from Agra to Delhi since the prominence of the Laal Quila had increased, and if the news spread was to be believed, his sons were in a battle for the throne already. It was time each king chose sides once again. Dara Sikhoh was the eldest and the righteous Heir to the throne. He was believed to be a man who held high morals and was hence respected by both enemies and allies as well. Aurangzeb was his sibling and the youngest of the brothers. Short-tempered and cunning, he was always dreaded by the court. As Shah Jahan took ill, Aurangzeb took this as a golden opportunity to wa...

Symphony of Love

  A week was enough for the master to be pleased enough with the new student to tell the Sultan that she was ready for her first performance. The Sultan was extremely pleased and rewarded him with a gold chain. As the master bowed to leave, the guards announced the arrival of the chief queen. Sultan Baz Bahadur sat upright. She was his first bride, a childhood alliance his father had forced upon him when he did not even know what marriage implied. Now he only saw her face when she had complaints about the inner palace and its inhabitants. Honestly, he expected her to be there since Roopmati arrived. His queen did not like changes, especially if those changes were threatening to her position. The Chief Queen arrived with her maids, dismissed them at the threshold and came up to her husband to bow and greet him. “What brings you here?” Baz Bahadur asked, with a lingering smile on his lips. The queen could hear the hint of taunt in his voice. She forced a smile. Her marriage to this r...

The Kaali Effect

 !!BOOM!!  The shopping mall echoed with a noise. The buzz grew silent. Fear crept in. Until somebody shouted, " It's just a Balloon!" The buzz grew again, the shopping continued, the romantic couples continued their walks, and the food court filled up with the aroma of the orders... A few decades back, people used to laugh carefree at a balloon bursting or a tyre booming in the streets or in various crowded areas. Now, in the back of everyone's head, a loud noise always brings the same thoughts... Another year, another city, another crowded place, Several innocent lives. They don't spare religious places either. For the sake of mankind? Religion? Politics? Power? They only know. Who are they? Nobody knows. It is said that the demon Kaali, who ushered in KaliYug, decided to reside in a few things. Addiction, Wealth, Desire, and Anger are some such things he resides in. This is KaliYug, where an innocent child's balloon makes adults fear the extremes. What is d...

The Warrior Bride

Kelwa/Kailwa is a small village situated around two hours away from Chittorgarh and an hour from Lake Pichola. It was mainly inhabited by the Rathores and ruled by the Chundawat clan, who were once the rulers of Mewar. One chief of Kelwa was Rawat Sihaji Singh Chundawat. He was a very close ally of Rana Sanga. His son Jaga Singhji also died fighting for Rana Udai Singhji in one war with the Afghans in 1555 AD. Kelwa’s heir was the minor child of Jaga Singhji and his widow, Sajjan Bai Songara Chauhan. Being from the clan of the Chauhan Rajputs, she was a warrior at heart. From the early age of about four, her only son was brought up under his uncle Naga Singhji to fight for his motherland and serve it like all other Mewaris. Fateh Pratap Singh Chundawat or Fatta (Patta), as fondly called by everyone, was a deft warrior even before he reached his teens. His name and bravery spread across the land to Rana Udai Singh’s ears in Chittorgarh. He was also the nephew of Ranaji’s close aide Rawa...

Nawab E Bengal

  Background: Nawab Alivardi Khan was ruling Bengal at the peak of Nawabi rule, expanding his strong empire. He had successfully suppressed the Marathas and had given a strong message to the British East India Company’s rising influence at Calcutta. Highly aware of the British Colonial policies across the globe, Nawab Alivardi Khan was strict with his policies and stronghold over Murshidabad, the then capital of Bengal (including present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, and Bangladesh).  He had two daughters and no sons. Amina Begum was the elder one, followed by Ghaseti Begum. Amina had three sons with her husband and courtier, Ahmed Khan. The second son, Mirza Mohammad, fondly called Siraj-Ud-Daulah (light of the country)by his grandfather, was born in 1733C.E. He was his grandfather’s  favourite  because he was born while he won over the Marathas. Alivardi Khan never let the “fortune child” of the family out of his sight. Siraj grew up accompanying his g...