Unknown Life of Jesus Christ Old Edition 1894 Publication

Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

Page 25

INTRODUCTION.
Xxiv india, wlience it was carricci lo lle c licst ryan cruigrictions into Media in Syrii, :11161 alterwarels by the Phoenicians and the Carthaginius, from whence its Latin name Purica Granatum is derived. It is collstantly represented on tlic sculptures of Assyria and Egypt with grapes and peaches, mel is frequently mcntioned in the Bible (Ex. XXVIII. 33-34; XXXIX. 24-26; Numb. XIll. 23; xx. 5; Dcut. vill. 8; 1 Kings vir. 18; Song of Sol. iv. 3. 13.) The Somn, the renownca drink of the Vedas, and hom of the Zond Avesta, is indigcious to the Punjab and tlic Bolan pass, Khandesli, and the Glats of Western India and Caromandel Coast; and from the sacred rites and rejoicings whichi accompanied tic drinking of its fermented sap in Vcdic times, and which are still celebrated among thc Brahmins of India, it evidently was thc first intoxicant discovered by thic Bralumins. The division of thic l'ersians from the Brahmins was the result of a dispute over the use of Soma as a religious service, particularly in the ceremony which symbolized the intoxication of the gods, which thic Persians rcsolutely resisted. In thic Caucasus mountains and Armenia the use of soma gradually passed into the use of winc (Gen. IX. 21), a fact which suggests an explanation of the truc Brahmin origin of Bicchus und of the Dionysinc rites of ancient Greece. In the valley of thic Tigris and Fuplirates, the sap of the date palm particularly was substituted for that of Som or hom as an intoxicating drink. There is a verse in the Rig Veda ix. celebrating the virtues of Soma, it finer Bacchic burst cannot be met with among the most enthusiastic of pocts who have suing of winc: “O, Soma! tlicre is nothing so bright as thou. When poured out, thou welcomncst all gods, to bestow on tlicni imtortility. * * The praisewortly Somit hits from illicient times been the crink of the gods; lie was milked