Sambodhi

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 54

HAOMA AS A PLANT IN THE AVESTAN TEXT*
S. N. Ghosal
As in the Vedic in the Avestan too Haoma (Vedic Soma) has been completely deified. He is a god, who being praised by men, offers long life, prosperity and happiness to the latter. Inspite of his divine character Haoma stands also as a herb. In the Rgveda1 this plant-like feature of the god Soma has been repeatedly emphasized. It presents a nice drink, which is extremely intoxicating. Indra while encountering his enemies in the battle-field drinks the juice of the plant and becomes intoxicated. He gets courage and vanquishes his enemies. There are very graphic descriptions of the preparation of the juice from the plant and hymns are chanted during the performance of the processes connected with its preparation, namely the pounding of the shoots, passing of the juice through the strainer, putting of it into the vats and its mixing with the milk etc. It is extremely health-giving. It not only infuses strength and courage into one's mind but also imparts immortality to the gods. The gods become victorious over the enemies in the battle, as they are invigorated with the drink of the heavenly beverage.
As in the Vedas in the Avestan too2 the god Soma (Haoma) is deified. Haoma is belauded with the chanting of the hymns. If pleased the god Haoma grants very heroic sons, who rule the earth. He gives prosperity and riches; one secures beauty, knowledge, wisdom and all kinds of material comforts by his grace. By his favour one can not only repe) the enemies but also get relief from the evil influences of the harmful spirits. The devilish Druj cannot overwhelm a man, who performs the worship of the Haoma and chants the gāthās in his praise. Yet inspite of this divine character of the god, his original feature as a plant has not been totally lost sight of. Occasionally we get glimpses of his trait as a plant. The popularity of the latter as a herb and of a delicious drink that is prepared from it flashes here and there and points to the impersonation of deity from the natural object, a phenomenon which is to be abundantly found in the Vedas. In the present paper an attempt is being made to present Haoma as a plant, of which traces can be obtained from the verses that are dedicated to the divine Haoma.
Haoma has a bright yellow colour and very tender sprouts: verdoraja zairi-gaono namyaśuś Yest 9.16, "you are victorious, gold-coloured and have tender sprouts". ni të zăire madom mruye 9.17. "Oh goldcoloured Haoma ! I