Soma

Hey Mr. Decker,
So I just started classes at UW Madison and I have already thought back to my APLG days. Everything is going very well and all of my classes are incredibly interesting. I thought I would send you a quick note....even though I haven't acutally read any books since the last time we chated.... I was reading a book from my East Asian religious studies course on Hinduism and I read about a plant/drink called Soma. It reminded me of Brave New World was it? Either way, in the Rig Veda, Soma is a plant (no one is quite sure what plant it is referring to. One professor came up with a theory that the plant was a form of mushrooms) that goes through a process to make a soma drink. The drink has intoxicating powers but is also used as a strength builder for one of the main Hindu deities, Indra, who consumes the soma drink before defeating another deity ( Vritra, a snake god) who blocks off the rivers and waters from the Aryan people. After Indra defeats Vritra he essentially creates the earth. Soma is also sometimes refferred to a deity and is considered to possibly be the third most important deity in the Rig Veda based on how often it is written about in a single book.
Anyway, I think that's about all I have read so far, but I thought it was really interesting and hoped you would find it interesting and helpful as well if it is new information to you. Hope the beginning of the year is going well for you and good luck!
Becky Jones '07