Soma (drink) facts for kids

Soma was a very important drink in ancient India, especially in the old Vedic culture. People wrote a lot about it in the Vedas, which are ancient holy books. Many songs and poems in these books praise Soma.

Soma was probably a juice made from a special plant that grew in the mountains, possibly a plant called haoma. In the Vedas, Soma was not just a sacred drink; it was also seen as a powerful god (deva). Today, we don't know for sure exactly what plant Soma came from.

What Was Soma?

Soma is often compared to ambrosia, a special drink in Greek myths. It was also called amrita. People believed that Soma was what the gods drank, and that it helped them stay powerful and immortal. Two important gods, Indra and Agni, were known for drinking a lot of Soma.

People also believed that when humans drank Soma, it could give them special visions or insights that felt divine. These visions were thought to be a way to connect with the gods or understand deeper truths.

Soma in the Vedas

The Rig Veda is one of the oldest and most important Vedic texts. A whole section of this book, called the Ninth Mandala, is mostly filled with hymns, or songs of praise, dedicated to Soma. This shows how important Soma was in their religious practices and beliefs.