Place of Origin: Indian Subcontinent
Origin Date: Circa 1500 BCE (Vedic period)
Domain: Moon, Sacred rituals, Immortality
Symbols: Crescent Moon, Vessel containing the Soma drink, White Antelope
Attributes: Immortality, Rejuvenation, Divine Ecstasy
Epithets: Soma Pavamana (The Purified Soma), Chandra (Moon God), Indu (Drop of Nectar)
Equivalents: Greek: Dionysus (God of Wine and Ecstasy), Roman: Bacchus (God of Wine and Revelry)
Religion: Hinduism, and Vedism
Sacred Texts: Rigveda: Contains hymns dedicated to Soma, praising his role as the sacred drink and celestial deity.
Iconography: Soma is typically depicted as a radiant, youthful deity with a crescent moon on his forehead. He is often shown holding a vessel containing the sacred Soma drink, symbolizing immortality and divine connection.
Relations: Parentage: Atri (father), Anasuya (mother), Spouses: 27 Nakshatras (daughters of Daksha), Children: Budha (Mercury)
Description
Soma is a multifaceted deity in Hinduism, revered as both the god of the Moon and the personification of the sacred ritual drink, Soma. As a Cosmic Deity, Soma embodies rejuvenation, immortality, and divine ecstasy. He is often depicted as a youthful, radiant figure with a crescent moon on his forehead, symbolizing renewal and the cyclical nature of time. Soma's duality as a celestial deity and a divine elixir underscores his importance in Hindu cosmology and spiritual traditions.
In Hindu mythology, Soma is associated with the waxing and waning phases of the Moon, reflecting life's cyclical nature. He is also linked to the sacred Soma drink, believed to confer immortality upon the gods and elevate human consciousness during Vedic rituals. Soma's significance extends to his role in the lunar lineage (Chandravansha) and his marriage to the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions), daughters of the sage Daksha.
Narratives
The Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan): Soma emerges as the Moon during the churning of the ocean, symbolizing the divine elixir of immortality.
Marriage to the Nakshatras: Soma's favoritism towards his wife Rohini leads to a curse by Daksha, explaining the Moon's waxing and waning phases.
Worship Beliefs and Practices
Soma was worshipped through elaborate Vedic rituals involving the preparation and consumption of the Soma drink. These rituals aimed to connect worshippers with the divine, offering spiritual enlightenment and vitality. Temples dedicated to Soma often featured iconography of the Moon and the sacred drink.