Soma and Haoma in Ancient India and Iran

Subject Areas : Christianity

مریم نوابی ¹ (ندارد)
احمدرضا معتمدی ² (ندارد)

Received: 2010-12-22 Accepted : 2011-02-21 Published : 2010-09-23

Keywords: haoma, soma, Avesta, Rgveda, sacrifice,

Abstract :

The ritual of Soma and Haoma is one of the most important rituals inancient India and Iran. In this ritual the plant Soma/Haoma was beingsqueezed until its juice being prepared. According to Avesta andgveda the first form of Soma/Haoma was a plant known because ofits extraordinary effects and gradually special rites was developedaround it. The rite of the preparation of Soma/Haoma juice wasaccompanied by special ceremonies and customs and it should beperformed only under the direction of the priests. Holiness of this plantgradually opened the way for appearance of a god with the same namei.e. the god Soma/Haoma. Therefore, several pieces in Avesta andRgveda were dedicated to this god. According to these pieces the mostimportant function of the god Soma/Haoma is bringing health andimmortality. It seems likely that the curative properties of this planthave been attributed to the god.